Our Team

Joanna N. Edwards epitomizes the true definition of working for the people. Joanna has worked for the past 10 plus years in the human services field providing advocacy services to battered women, victims of crime, and community members. Joanna has expanded her interest in working for the people to wanting to start a non-profit organization geared towards hosting community engagement events and volunteer efforts for the community she lives in and serves. Joanna’s experience with non-profit work stemmed back a few years ago as she facilitated and developed a 501c3 Men’s sober home, alongside her husband; where she established the 501c3 tax-exempt status, program protocols, and program management.

Ashley Eadie is dedicated to amplifying the voices of black and brown youth and creating spaces that celebrate and encourage individual and community growth. Her career in non-profit work spans through various organizations in both direct service and leadership roles within youth advocacy, career exploration, and case management since 2010. Ashley is an inspired leader motivated to show all youth that they can follow their passions, and create their own paths through small steps they take daily.

Currently Ashley is the Senior Director of Community Engagement at Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. There, she leads a team of staff and volunteers who, through targeted community outreach and partnerships, identify barriers to participation, provides individualized assistance, and creates community-specific solutions to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls who may not otherwise have access to Girl Scouts.

Denisha McDonald is multi-faceted with a passion for helping her community. When she sees a problem, she is determined to examine possible common-sense solutions. After several years in sports medicine and education, Denisha transitioned into her family's backbone of real estate. She launched Our Village Initiative, an agency she started to help homeowners solve their real estate problems while helping their community. Denisha was able to combine her passion for educating urban youth with her love of real estate. Every successful sale results in contributions to local schools and investments into local infrastructure. She believes that knowledge is power and in order to impact your financial future, you need to not only know your options but know the facts to make the best decision for your situation.

Marie Fleurme is a proud Haitian who was born and raised in Dorchester. In between being a chauffeur to her 13-year-old son, She prioritizes time to give back to communities. Marie started as a volunteer for Thumbprint Cares, participating in many events and witnessing all the happy and grateful families and children smiling. Those moments made her realize she wanted to volunteer and be part of the movement, which helped her become part of a dedicated team of Board Members passionate about serving our communities through many events and partnerships. We will continue to grow and expand to help families get a turkey for Thanksgiving, school supplies before school, or a gift for Christmas.


“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”

- Martin Luther King Jr

Tahina Vilme has been passionate about working in organizations that seek to address academic and workforce disparities for people in the community. For over 10 years Tahina has served in a number of direct service and leadership roles in greater and metropolitan Boston at the Young People's Project, Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, the Boston Private Industry Council, and Freedom House. She plans to continue her work to support the disenfranchised in obtaining equity in education and the workforce. Tahina along with her husband gives back to the community with their annual Donaldson and Tahina Vilme Scholarship.

Sherley Bellande has 10 plus years’ experience in management and customer service and because of her experienced background, she is able to work with diverse populations and apply her skills to any setting. Sherley consistently found ways to give back by thoughtful acts of kindness or volunteering at the Boston Food Bank, prepping meals at Rosie’s Place, sorting baby clothes at Room for Grow, raising money and participating in the Walk for Hunger, and partnering up with YouthBuild to help renovate housing for mothers and children. Sherley understands the significance of having a good support system and providing resources in disenfranchised communities.

Charles Edwards experienced and saw struggles in his community which contributed to a strong yearning to give back. Charles began his community giving by joining the community youth organization Y.O. Boston at the age of fifteen. He continued his efforts by organizing toy drives for the less fortunate children of Boston's inner city. While working at Bank of America, he made several donations to Boston charities. Charles continues to actively be involved in community causes for Boston’s underprivileged families.