BrocktonPostBROCKTON--Elaine Reiser, Former Director of Helpline at Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc. was named the 2011 ATHENA Award Recipient by the Metro South Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 16 during a conference and expo at the Shaw's Center in Brockton.
Reiser (pictured above) was director of Helpline at Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., BAMSI, for 37 years.
MetroSouth officials said Elaine epitomizes the ideals established through the ATHENA Award: powerful dedication; compassion to help women and those in need; spirit of community; the demand of excellence from her staff; and a passionate drive to make Helpline a recognized model across the region.
Reiser initiated and developed the concept of an information and referral service to encompass medical and human service needs for residents of the Greater Plymouth County Area.
In 1976, Reiser brought Helpline to BAMSI where it grew into a multi-faceted information and referral system connecting people in need with housing, medical, and other vital emergency services.
Through this initiative, Reiser has saved thousands of individuals in emergency crises, including the homeless and those living without food or heat.
When the housing crisis became a critical disaster in Brockton, Reiser created and designed BAMSI’s “First Stop Program,” a model of services to help those in at-risk households to prevent future homelessness.
This program has had one of the highest placement rates in Massachusetts with a 97% success rate.
Reiser's work was also instrumental in shaping the state-wide Mass211 initiative, modeled on Reiser’s Information and Referral Program and Helpline.
Over her 36-plus years at BAMSI, Reiser has served as a role model for the dozens of women who have worked for her through the Helpline, as well as those families, primarily women, who have come pleading for emergency help.
In the community, Reiser has worked on numerous mayor’s task forces on health and human Services.
She was a founding member of the MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless and served on the Massachusetts Coalition for Homeless for 20 years.
Reiser also served as president of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County’s Agency Executives, was president of Community Services of Greater Brockton for eight years and Treasurer for 10 years.
Statewide, Reiser has served as president of the Massachusetts Association of Information and Referral Services.
She has received countless honors, awards, and accolades for her exemplary service.
Reiser is now retired and lives with her husband, Ed, in Sharon.
The International ATHENA Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in his/her business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in reaching their full leadership potential. The ATHENA Awards Program was created in 1982 and has expanded to over 500 cities. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying the ATHENA Foundation’s philosophy of incorporating the talents and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, communities and government.
Prior recipients of the ATHENA Award include Anne DeMinico, St. Joseph Manor, Sue Joss, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Vanessa Tierny, Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Dr. Susan Szachowicz, Brockton High School Principal, Loretta DeGrazia, East Coast Petroleum, Marianne Wroble Cox, WXBR 1460 AM, Shailah Stewart, Brockton Public Schools, Dr. Linda Faria Braun, Adult Learning Center, Christine Karavites, Proteas Customized Consulting, Barbara Duffy, Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Noelle Foye, Fuller Craft Museum, Janice Cunningham, E. Bridgewater Police Officer.
As part of the ATHENA Program, there was an expo and conference featuring over 20 businesses and a presentation by Dr. Carol Hardy-Fanta, Director of the Center of Women in Politics & Public Policy at UMass Boston.
(Photo courtesy MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce)
