Promoting Community Joy and Well-Being in East Boston
Promoting Community Joy and Well-Being in East Boston
In this episode, guest Justin Pasquariello shares about why he puts community joy at the center of his work. Justin talks about the importance of social connection as one of the five pillars of joy, and how this framework for promoting joy is woven throughout the work of the East Boston Social Centers. He also shares about how his career, including starting Silver Line Mentoring in 2001, is informed by his personal experiences growing up.
Justin talks about the innovative approaches to service delivery and community building at the 100 year old social service organization. This includes creative ways of measuring and increasing joy among staff and program participants, and engaging the diverse cultural populations in East Boston. Justin also highlights the Every Child Shines community collaboration. He also shares about future plans that include developing a community joy ambassador program and creating design nudges to encourage community connections.
About the Guest
Justin Pasquariello, Executive Director/ Director Ejecutivo, East Boston Social Centers (he/him/él)
Justin Paquariello is the Executive Director of East Boston Social Centers, where he is committed to increasing community joy and wellbeing for all. He founded and serves on the board of Silver Lining Mentoring, an organization that empowers foster youth to flourish through committed mentoring relationships and developing life skills.
Before his current position, Justin was Executive Director of Children’s HealthWatch, a data collection, research, and policy center with the mission to improve the health and development of young children by informing policies to address and alleviate economic hardships (hunger, unstable housing, etc.). While there, he was a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Ten Outstanding Young Leader award winner. In 2016, he received a Nantucket Project Fellowship to focus on increasing joy and wellbeing in East Boston. He also has worked as a nonprofit consultant with the Bridgespan Group, a consultant to the Fish Family Foundation, and a Rappaport Fellow at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
At the East Boston Social Centers, Justin leads a staff of over a hundred who are committed to the cultivation of community, equity, belonging, and joy, so that all may thrive across their lifespan. The Social Centers reaches more than 1,500 people each year with direct service programs ranging from Welcome Baby Visits and Early Education to our Active Adults (Older Adults) program. We also bring the community together, leading the Every Child Shines movement to help all East Boston Children enter Kindergarten joyful, thriving and ready to learn.
Justin serves on several boards and advisory boards, including the board of MADCA: the Massachusetts Association for Early Education and Care. He writes a blog about community joy. He received his BA from Harvard College, and his MBA and MPA degrees from a concurrent program at Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School, where he was a Reynolds, George and Goldsmith Fellow.
Justin is married to Vanessa Fazio and they are proud parents to Rocco and Skye.
Episode Resources
East Boston Social Centers Website
This episode was produced by Leah Mulrenan and David Crowley.
About SCI Social Capital Inc.
Our story at SCI centers on strengthening communities by intentionally cultivating connections through inclusive community programs, partnerships, and leadership development.
In June of 2002, SCI was founded by David Crowley. Returning to his hometown of Woburn, he created an organization focused on bringing people together. For two decades, we have taken action, big and small, to respond to what our community needs, in our hometown, and beyond.
The concept of social capital is about the importance of our social networks, and the value of the trust in relationships and communities. SCI addresses the need to increase the social capital of a community and the individuals in it.
SCI’s mission is to strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives.
Coming Soon! (editing for technology’s mistakes!)
