We’ve always believed our expansion to the South Coast could only be successful if led by the right people… people who view service as a privilege… people who believe deeply in our mission “To bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve.”

Over the last 25 years, God has always provided for My Brother’s Keeper and He has blessed us with three very special people who will be our core staff on the South Coast.

Josh Smith will be the director of our Dartmouth facility. Josh joined our staff in 2007, currently manages our Furniture Donation Program and is our chief grant writer. He began volunteering at My Brother’s Keeper during his freshman year at Stonehill College in 2000. After graduating in 2004, he worked with the homeless in Portland, Oregon and served in Africa before returning to Massachusetts to work as a community organizer in Fall River. Josh feels incredibly privileged to help bring our unique model of service to such a struggling part of the state: “I never cease to be amazed at just how many lives My Brother’s Keeper profoundly impacts— both those we serve and those we serve with. It will be incredibly exciting to see this community continue to grow!” Josh and his wife Kelly live in Bridgewater.

Jim Whalen will perform direct service supervising volunteers on furniture pickups and deliveries. He began volunteering at My Brother’s Keeper in 2011 and joined our staff in February 2013. His hard work at our Easton facility has made a big difference the last four months: he’ll be fully trained when the Dartmouth facility opens in July and his presence has allowed Josh to work on South Coast preparations. Jim graduated from Boston University and spent the last 25 years working in information technology. Earlier this year, he was contemplating a career change and prayed about it in church one Sunday. “God answered my prayers just two days later when Josh called about a position,” Jim said. He and his wife, Janet, live in Lakeville and they have two sons, Sean and Tyler.

Rachel Smith will also perform direct service supervising volunteers on furniture pickups and deliveries. Rachel began volunteering at My Brother’s Keeper in 2011, participated in our Urban Plunge retreat and worked as a summer intern in 2012. During her senior year, she contributed an impressive 700 hours of volunteer work at My Brother’s Keeper. She graduated from Stonehill College last year and is doing a year of post-graduate service working with the homeless at Andre House in Phoenix, Arizona. Rachel will join our staff in August when she returns to Massachusetts. After she was offered the position, Rachel said, “I feel so blessed to be a part of the ministry of My Brother’s Keeper for the long-term. I’m still in disbelief. I have to remind myself each morning that it isn’t a dream!”

Thank you for your passion, Josh, Jim, and Rachel, and thank you for saying “yes” to God and My Brother’s Keeper!