Sincerely,
Lakenya Rivers
Founder/ Executive Director
Family Movement is an organization birthed from my own personal experiences being a former shelter resident. We strive to touch every family, generation by generation, with the fundamentals of Forgiveness, Acknowledgement, Motivation, Inspiration, and Love within Yourself. Together, with the help of the community, we can make an impact in our families by volunteering, financial or in-kind donations, adopting a family, mentoring to a mom or child or being a part of our marketing efforts to help end homelessness.
Our mission at F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement is to help families transition out of homeless shelters and into stable and permanent living arrangements by teaching and mentoring homeless youths and families on how to become financially independent to end generational poverty and homelessness. We service families who are homeless, on the verge of becoming homeless, or are currently living in a homeless shelter. F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement has developed an extensive curriculum to instill the skills and tools necessary to transition out of the shelter and build a successful, stable future. These workshops focus on financial stability through credit building, money management techniques and eliminating debt, education with computer trainings and GED certification, and workforce development with temporary and permanent job placements and a Dress for Success work attire program.
We strive to be a productive and efficient resource to our clients by collaborating with local businesses and homeless shelters. Our annual goals as an organization are Retention and Sustainability. Our strategies are to identify, implement and execute. These goals will produce valuable and solid results for stabilization one family at a time.
We thank you for taking the time to learn more about our organization and we look forward to your assistance with making a difference in a family’s life.
ABOUT US
LAKENYA RIVERS, FOUNDER
Lakenya Rivers is a humble powerhouse devoted to the cause of empowering women and families. Her personal story of challenging hardships has defined her as a woman of victory, walking in her destiny. Lakenya is a motivation to some and a hero to others. Despite the struggles of her past, she walks with her head held high reaching her hands out to those in need. With selfless devotion, Lakenya is an agent of change serving women in the Boston community and beyond.
Founder and Executive Director of F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement, Lakenya is just beginning to walk into her calling. Through this movement Lakenya strives to instill "Forgiveness, Acknowledgement, Motivation, Inspiration and Love within Yourself." This organization functions by providing educational opportunities to the 200+ women and families annually that Lakenya currently works with. In the role of "life coach," she presents workshops on self-esteem, professionalism, parenting, finances and more. F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement's primary goal is mentoring young women in homeless shelters and inspiring them to strive for a successful future.
Lakenya has successful presented to top-tier management of major corporations in an effort to solicit adequate funding for Family Movement. Her established relationships with Revision House and Bridge Over Troubled Waters has propelled her into opportunities for major grants in her efforts to sustain Family Movement.
Featured in the Boston Herald in 2007 as a success story entitled “From Young Mother to Role Model,” Lakenya’s extensive work with community organizations has garnered much acclaim. She is a sought after speaker, bringing hope to audiences comprised of women in transition. Her ability to empathize with the trials young women face comes from her own experience. With determined strength and passion, Lakenya has overcome the most challenging of circumstances. As a single mother, Lakenya strives to be a role model for young women throughout the Boston area as well as for her daughter and sister (of whom she attained custody of in 2002). Lakenya was also nominated and granted the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Woman Award in 2009 for doing extraordinary work in the community. In March 2014, she was featured on Chronicle and WCVB News in a segment geared towards Boston Strong with Bridge Over Troubled Waters, which is the shelter she resided in as a teen mother. Passionate with all endeavors, Lakenya has obtained her Property and Casualty license soliciting business insurance to Fortune 500 companies in New England. Lakenya currently resides in a beautiful condo in Dorchester with her husband and 3 children.
Our entire team is committed to meeting the needs of the families we work with. We are focused on delivering valuable resources to create stability to every situation. The team at Family Movement practices the model, "think like a resident / youth, but act like a mentor."
We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service to help your family succeed.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEGAN N. SHAUGHNESSY, Esq. - President
Megan N. Shaughnessy, Esq. of Boston, MA is the founding attorney of Shaughnessy Law Group, LLC and concentrates her practice in Civil Litigation. Prior to opening her own law practice, Attorney Shaughnessy worked at a civil litigation law firm in Boston for over 7 years where she started off as a legal intern and was subsequently hired as an associate. Megan is a 2008 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a double major in Legal Studies and Psychology. She received her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2012.
Attorney Shaughnessy is the President of the Organization and works as the Family Advocate, helping individuals inside and outside of the courtroom; as well as assisting them with various legal issues.
CHERYL JEAN, M.S. - Vice President
Cheryl Jean has spent the past 20 years dedicating her life to work within the fashion, business and non-profit sectors. Cheryl most notably oversaw the growth of her production company, RegiJames Productions. This premier fashion event production company specializes in fashion styling, fashion show production and fashion photo shoots. RegiJames Productions is also known for its annual event, Fierce Styles, a benefit fashion show supporting local charities in the Boston area.
Cheryl's latest venture is Fashion Trend Class (FTC), a fashion coverage platform. Cheryl wants FTC to stand for everything that's fashionable, trendy and classy. She hopes to also use this platform to help communities through an annual holiday drive that helps families in need.
Cheryl's work goes beyond fashion and production. She has a great admiration for community and philanthropic causes. She recently graduated with her Master's in Nonprofit Organization from Wheelock College after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. Cheryl's work with local organizations through her companies is a testament to her using her platform for good. Cheryl has most recently joined the board of F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement and is very excited to continue using her voice to shine an light on causes that are important to her.
JWUANITA CORE, Treasurer
Jwuanita Core is the Managing Director at Just In Time Tax Services, LLC. She has over 15 years of professional experience ranging from Program Management to Public and Private Accounting. Juanita has spent the past 10 years focused on business development and taxation. Her area of expertise includes: small business and non-profit accounting and bookkeeping; individual tax prepration; and audit support and review. Additionally, Juanita has a wealth of experience in financial advising, budgeting and tax planning.
Juanita has an affinity for helping her community. She knows her job goes beyond taxation and has a duty to help others reach financial soundness. She is focused on educating women and youth around financial literacy and has conducted various budget and tax planning workshops at local shelters, community organizations and religious institutions. As
Treasurer of F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement and Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, she dedicates her time and expertise in order to
help those organizations stay financially sound so they may efficiently continue to serve the community.
"I take pride in the quality of work I perform, but I value more the relationships I have developed and the level of financial literacy each person gains from building those relationships." -Jwuanita Core
JETHRO KOLLIE - Director of Development
Jethro Kollie is currently a licensed Financial Advisor at Beck Bode, LLC. Jethro was born in Liberia (West Africa), and moved to Lowell, Massachusetts when he was six years old. Growing up, his big dream was to play football professionally. Post college, when playing professional football didn't work out for him, it was OK because for as long as he could remember, he's loved both business and positively impacting people. His passion is helping individuals, families and businesses achieve their most important financial goals by empowering them with education, cutting edge strategies and resources through a very intimate, meticulous, and hands-on relationship.
When he is not creating financial strategies for his clients, Jethro enjoys traveling the world, staying fit, participating in competitive sports such as men's basketball, flag football, etc. Jethro is also very involved in numerous mentorship organizations.
NICOLE MAXEY - Director of Community Relations
Nicole Maxey is a business strategist, art curator, event advisor, diversity, equity, and inclusion contributor, and a community Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) focused publicist. Knowledgeable and energetic with a results driven record of accomplishments. She thrives on implementing clients’ initiatives. She is the Founder and Principal of MaxeymizePR, a Boston-based public relations firm.
Nicole has assisted clients in appearing on the front page of newspapers, the cover of magazines, on television, radio programs, and high-profile websites. She has organized press conferences for community headline issues. Nicole is an active community organizer and philanthropist. She currently serves on the Family Movement board as director of community relations and board member of Hands Across the Ocean.
Nicole performed publicists duties for the annual New England Urban Music Awards in Boston for several years and received the Best Publicist award. Most recently she was a recipient of the Outstanding Businesswomen award by Mr. GBOS. Nicole has led and co-led publicity campaigns for multiple charitable foundations, including one run by an NFL player, Jaden’s Ladder, and other non-profit organizations in the Boston metropolitan area. She has worked as a freelance entertainment writer in Los Angeles interviewing celebrities, including musicians, actors, and actresses for The Hollywood Scoop; and she has served as an entertainment writer for The Word Boston, an online newsletter. She has extensive experience in working with celebrities and on high-profile charity events and fundraisers. Nicole also held the position of talent manager for the Monica Cost Show.
Nicole is a public speaker, public relations consultant, and team player. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations and a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University. She has completed several advanced public relations courses through the Publicity Club of New England, including “From A-List to D-List: Tips for Working with Celebrities and Athletes for Public Relations Campaigns,” “An Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Rising PR Star” and “Writing Workshop.”
Nicole is the former community outreach team lead of Aspire, an associate alumna of The Partnership, a leadership and career development program. Nicole most recently served a term for the New England Area Conference (NEAC) as the Communications and Public Affairs Chair. She has held membership of The Publicity Club of New England, Young Professionals Network, Women’s Networking Group, The Women’s Dinner Group, and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Nicole is an avid world traveler. She resides in Boston and Martha’s Vineyard Massachusetts.
YVENS GERMAIN - Director of Community Relations & Events
Yvens Germain is a strong force in and around Boston, paving the way for people to understand the power of community. Possessing an innate passion to be a platform for others, Yvens’ desire to create a concept encompassing empowerment and generating knowledge for business success gave birth to a largely growing event.
Yvens is the Founder and CEO of the Minority Business Expo, an exposition centered on the community and the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs. The highly anticipated annual event offers vendor opportunities, as well as networking, workshop and empowerment sessions.
In addition, Yvens is the owner of Germain’s Enterprise, a company that coincides with the Minority Business Expo brand.
As a private consultant, Yvens specializes in molding his clients into leaders, while tackling areas of motivational speaking, marketing, branding and advertising. He provides resources and tools to his clients, and other entrepreneurs, to ensure their growth in knowledge and ongoing achievement. Germain’s Enterprise embodies the idea of one individual climbing up the ladder of success while looking down and lifting others during that ascent.
ALI MANIGAT, ESQ -Director of Partnerships
Updated Bio Coming Soon.
TAHIRA LANGSTON - Board Member
Tahira Langston is a Boston resident who, for the last 3 years, has committed her time to Family Movement. Tahira has been a part of the healthcare industry for over 13 years and prides herself on helping others. She is a current student furthering her education while being a single parent and working multiple jobs. Tahira has been a board member with Family Movement since 2013. She organizes quarterly community clothing drives and is always willing to dedicate her time to the organization.
DIONNE JOHNSON - Board Member
Dionne is a lifelong Boston resident who has devoted time, energy and resources to various organizations throughout the city that focus on the underserved population. Dionne has spent the past 15 years working closely with pregnant and parenting teens in a residential setting at FSGB-Teen Parent Program in Roxbury. For nearly 20 years, Dionne has also held several positions in the financial services industry. Dionne is an active member of an employee resource group, supporting her employer's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Dionne started out as a F.A.M.I.L.Y. Movement volunteer and officially joined the board in October, 2015.