New England Streetworker Conference
September 25 – 26, 2025
Gillette Stadium
Culture Cures: Embracing Strength, Overcoming Trauma, and Cultivating Joy
Please join us for the largest gathering of outreach and violence prevention professionals in the region!
The New England Streetworker Conference unites frontline workers for expert-led workshops, peer learning, and networking. Gain new skills, share best practices, and connect with others committed to building safer, healthier communities, all through the lens of this year’s theme: Culture Cures: Embracing Strength, Overcoming Trauma, and Cultivating Joy.
Keynote Speaker
Erica Ford
Founder & CEO of LIFE Camp, Inc.
We chose Erica Ford, aka the “Peace Doctor,” as this year’s keynote speaker because she is this work. For over 30 years, she’s been a leader in the community violence intervention (CVI) field, living, breathing, and building a vision of peace, healing, and justice.
Right now, with budget cuts, political pushback, and the relentless pressure of this work, many of us are feeling the weight. It can feel heavy, even hopeless at times. That’s exactly why we need someone like Erica.
Erica is here to remind us that we matter, that this work is bigger than the moment we’re in, and that now more than ever, we can’t give up. Her voice is strong, clear, and purposeful; we know she’ll leave us inspired, grounded, and ready to keep pushing forward.
Hotel Information
We have a limited block of rooms available at the Hilton Garden Inn Foxborough Patriot Place.Â
Click here to reserve yours now!
Stay tuned for the conference schedule and parking information!
Don’t miss our networking celebration the night before the conference!
Thursday, September 25th
7 – 10 p.m.
Howl at the Moon
220 Patriot Place Foxborough, MA 02035
A Community to Encourage and Empower
| Meet Your Planning Committee |
Liz Brown
Engagement and Events Coordinator, Alternative House
Location: Boston, MA
Fun Fact: I do a lot of crafting, I make my own earrings and trinket dishes out of shells!
Juan Carter
Outreach Manager, Giffords Center for Violence Prevention
Location: Providence, RI
Fun Fact: “A hidden passion of mine is art. I was accepted into an art program, where I was a sketch artist and photographer.”
Shawnic Coleman
Statewide Youth Engagement Coordinator, EOHHS (Homeless Youth Services)
Location: Lowell, MA
Fun Fact: “In high school, I was in the Lowell Sun newspaper for asking former Governor Deval Patrick to the prom as a joke.”
Liz Giannetta-Ramos
Program Director, COMPASS Youth Collaborative
Location: Hartford, CT
Fun Fact: “I love to dance salsa. Not sure if I am really good at it but I get by!”
Leonard Jahad
Founder and Executive Director, Connecticut Violence Intervention and Prevention
Location: New Haven, CT
Fun Fact: “During my career, I unknowingly hired a police officer who helped get me off the streets when I was young.”
Natalie Johnson
Associate Director, Capacity Building Assistance, Health Resources in Action
Location: Boston, MA
Fun Fact: “I had the dubious honor of winning “most improved” my senior year of high school!”
Alivia Langley
Program Manager, Connecticut Violence Intervention and Prevention
Location: New Haven, CT
Fun Fact: “When I was younger, I was in a movie with Robert De Niro and 50 Cent.”
Sako Long
Northeast Regional Director, Department of Youth Services
Location: Lowell, MA
Fun Fact: “I fish at least 50 times a year.”
Christian McCloskey
Youth Services Coordinator, City of Fall River
Location: Fall River, MA
Fun Fact: “I am the sole proprietor of a small nonprofit, McCloskey’s Irish Pub. It hasn’t made a penny, but it is the 2nd most famous fictitious bar in the state, right behind Cheers.”
Nichelle Sadler
Executive Director of the Training Center for Excellence, UTEC
Location: Lowell, MA
Fun Fact: “I still wash dishes by hand. I’ve never used my dishwasher!”
Leslie Rivera
Senior Director of Training and Capacity Building, UTEC
Location: Lowell, MA
Fun Fact: “I love music, I love to sing, I can’t remember any lyrics!”
Manuel Sequeira
Director of Stakeholder Engagement, UTEC’s Training Center for Excellence
Location: Lowell, MA
Fun Fact: “When I was shorter (I’m 6’1) Skee-Lo’s song ‘I Wish’ was one of my favorites.”