Media Contacts:
Kristina Fields
Sarah Hines
617-536-3300
kfields@schneiderpr.com
shines@schneiderpr.com

BOSTON-AREA LOCALS JOIN CRUSADE TO HELP WOMEN AND CHILDREN ESCAPE THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE
Nonprofit Organization, The Second Step, Adds Six New Board Members

Newton, MA., July 19, 2004 -- The Second Step, a private nonprofit organization that offers long-term housing and educational support services to help survivors of domestic violence and their families rebuild their lives, announces the induction of six new board members, who will join the organization in helping the lives of women and their families in the Greater Boston area.

New board members include:
Lynn Cohen: Cohen is the sales manager for William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services, an independent real estate company located in Newton Centre. A Newton resident since 1990, she is a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and has practiced real estate in this community for the past 7 years.

Andrea Mintz: Mintz has been involved with The Second Step for the past ten years in a volunteer capacity. A Newton resident, she chairs the house party committee.

Eileen Morrison: A practicing business immigration attorney in Newton, Morrison has been a member of The Second Step’s Women’s Resource Committee since 2003. She is active in the American Immigration Lawyers Association on a regional and national level and has authored numerous articles on business immigration law. She resides in Newton.

Jeanette Simmons: Simmons is the Vice President and Branch Manager of the Sovereign Bank in Chestnut Hill. She has almost 30 years of banking and retail management experience and resides in Boston.

Robert Smith: Smith is the Dean and a Professor of Law at Suffolk University Law School. Prior to joining Suffolk, he was a Professor of Law at Boston College Law School for 24 years. His teaching included directing the Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau, a clinical education program in which students represent indigent clients in civil legal matters, including women in shelters and support programs for victims of domestic violence. Smith has lived in Newton for 28 years.

Lynne Sweet: Sweet, a Newton resident and principal of LDS Consulting Group, LLC, has played a vital role for18 years as consultant to both private and public sector clients. The majority of Sweet’s current work services the housing, senior living and affordable housing industries. She provides a range of services including planning, market research, feasibility analysis, financial structuring, land use and permitting, team building, and project management.

“We are excited to welcome our newest board members to The Second Step,” said Liz Kirsch, executive director of The Second Step. “Their combined knowledge and talents will help our board in forging new relationships and partnerships to help the members of our residents break free from their unfortunate situations and create a safe, happy and healthy lifestyle.”

The six new board members join The Second Step’s existing board including Ruth Dzau (President), Sandra Fisher (Secretary), Liz Kirsch (Executive Director), Lynne S. Marcus, Molly K. O’Neill (Vice President), Susan Pettit, Jan S. Silverman, Clare Villari (Treasurer), and Beverly H. Zweiman.

About The Second Step
Founded in 1992, The Second Step is a private, nonprofit organization that provides long-term transitional services to survivors of domestic abuse and their children. The Second Step has served over 350 women and children in two residences and over 1,000 additional women and children in outreach programs. Its mission is to help women develop life and job skills that will enable them to make a successful transition to independent living. The agency is funded through federal, state, and local grants as well as donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community organizations. More information about the agency can be found at www.thesecondstep.org.