Our Board & Staff
Staff
Dr. Brian L. Morris, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A transplanted New Yorker, Brian is first and foremost an active and grateful member of the Martha’s Vineyard recovery community. He is a recent recipient of a Doctorate of Social Work from USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; and earned a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from UMass Boston’s School of Global Inclusion & Social Development in 2018; previously, Brian graduated with a BA in Sociology from Princeton University. Brian is also a Certified Peer Recovery Coach, facilitates the Vineyard's very own HUB table, and was awarded a Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship in both 2016 and 2019. Personally, Brian follows with a passion certain New York sports teams, mans a very hot mic and plays lead guitar in a Black Norwegian Death Metal band, and lives in Edgartown, MA with his hound, Dylan...as in the Welsh poet, not the folk singer from Hibbing, MN.
Lisa Belcastro, Winter Shelter director
Lisa Belcastro is the Martha's Vineyard Regional Coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Lisa is in her second year as the Winter Shelter Coordinator for Harbor Homes. Prior to the pandemic, Lisa volunteered with Houses of Grace for the first five years. Lisa served as a volunteer in the Island schools when her daughters were attending, and is currently leading two Island-wide youth groups and is the president of Cornerstone Youth. Lisa writes for Vineyard Style Magazine and has written numerous novels set on Island. Lisa is also the vice president of the Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters Association and prefers to spend her time standing on the shore with her toes in the sand, the sun on her face, and a fish on the line.
SHARON BROWN, Director of Homeless Services
Sharon Brown serves as the case manager for all Harbor Homes programs, and provides Dukes County with homelessness prevention services. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a Major in Guidance and Counseling and a Minor in psychology. She has counseled at numerous non-profits in New York, Philadelphia, and Delaware, working with veterans, homeless men, young mothers, chronically homeless seniors, and students of all ages. Sharon has been a dedicated Islander since she arrived in 2018. After serving as the Program Coordinator at the Island Food Pantry for 4 years she recently transitioned to the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services as the Disability Coordinator and STEP coordinator. Sharon has a passion for helping others and providing happiness, everywhere she goes.
Chrissie laury, Director of operations
Chrissie Laury has lived on Cape Cod & the Islands since 2011; Martha’s Vineyard becoming home to her and her now adult children after a few years residing in South Yarmouth. Chrissie has an extensive background in research, planning and organization skills, serving as Librarian Associate at several libraries on Cape Cod, as well as the Oak Bluffs Public Library; and as the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe Records Management Coordinator for 4 years. Currently, a student for a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy degree, Chrissie is experienced at project and program management, serving as both Program Coordinator and DEI Coordinator for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. Chrissie was awarded the Best Community Partners Award in 2022. Chrissie enjoys sculpting, reading non-fiction, and island-hopping between MV, Nantucket (ACK), and the Cape. Besides traveling, she is working on publishing a poetry book, painting, and helping individuals reach their goals.
Board of Directors
Jennifer Frank, President
Jennifer Frank is an artist living in New York City. A mother of three, she and her family have spent the summers on the Vineyard for the past 20 years. Having observed and been moved by the growing homeless population both on the island and throughout the country, she has made helping find a solution a priority. She became a board member in the Fall of 2019.
Cathlin baker, vice president
Reverend Cathlin Baker has served as the Minister of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury since 2008. Cathlin participated in a sub-group of the Island Clergy Association that created the volunteer-led, winter shelter program, Houses of Grace. First as a community organizer and now as clergy, Cathlin has spent the past thirty years working to not just alleviate poverty, but to end it.
Dorie Godfrey, Secretary
Dorie Godfrey is a retired special education administrator who moved to the Island in 2008. Her career was devoted to ensuring rights and services to persons with disabilities. She worked in both public and private special education settings, the NY State Education Department, the NY Governor’s Early Intervention Council, and the Center for Disability Services of Albany, NY. Since her retirement, she has provided pro bono education advocacy to Island families and helped create the volunteer-led winter shelter, Houses of Grace, serving as one of the coordinators since its beginning. When the pandemic made running an all-volunteer shelter not feasible, she helped plan for a COVID safe shelter to be administered by Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard. She joined the board in 2020.
W. Eric Adams
Eric is a Marriage and Family therapist in private practice and is a member of the Resident Support Committee of Vineyard House. He also owns and manages W. E. Adams Painting and Restoration and is the Painting Supervisor of D. Best Construction. Eric graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Social Work and attended the University of Massachusetts Marriage and Family Therapy program.
Eric has been committed to this community and assisting youth and adults with mental health,substance use, or lack of suitable housing. He is a council member of the Hub providing assessment and crisis intervention strategies for the police and community and works with highschool youth weekly. He served on the board of directors for Vineyard House from 2014 to 2023. Eric joined the Harbor Homes board in 2024.
David Epstein
David is a founding partner of The Abbey Group, a Boston-based real estate development company. David and his wife Betsy live in Boston and have been life-long visitors to Martha’s Vineyard. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. They have been property owners in Chilmark for over 25 years and now spend about 6 months a year on the island.
David is a former chairman of the board of the Huntington Theatre Company, a Boston based regional theatre company and is former Chairman and trustee emeritus for the Stratton Mountain School, a school to educate aspiring high school aged winter athletes. David is a co-managing partner of the Boston Celtics.
David has been impressed with the community support of Harbor Homes and hopes to contribute to the mission and vision with his real estate expertise. David joined the Harbor Homes Board in 2024.
Canieka Fleming
Chef Canieka Fleming is an entrepreneur whose journey from humble beginnings to culinary success serves as an inspiring tale of resilience and personal growth. Growing up in challenging circumstances, Chef Canieka faced numerous hardships and had limited knowledge about the significance of mental fortitude. However, fueled by her passion for cooking and an unwavering determination, Chef Canieka transformed her life through the power of stability and a supportive community. She is the owner/chef of Loud Kitchen and runs a thriving catering business. She also volunteers for many Island organizations that serve the people of the Island.
Today, Chef Canieka stands as a testament to the transformative power of stability, mental fortitude, and a nurturing community. She was one of the first participants in Harbor Homes congregate house for women. She is a shining example for aspiring individuals, demonstrating that with resilience and the right guidance, anything is possible. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring chefs and individuals seeking to overcome adversity, reminding us all that with resilience and the right support, we can turn our dreams into reality with the right foundation. Canieka joined the Harbor Homes board in 2024.
Sue Kantrowitz
Sue worked at WGBH for forty-two years, most of her professional career. She graduated from BU School of Public Communications, with a BS in Communications in 1977 and from Boston College School of Law in 1980. She worked in tv production at a small public television station, KOCE in California. She joined WGBH as a lawyer with tv production experience. Over the years, Sue became the Vice President and General Counsel leading the department as it grew to a team of 9 senior lawyers, paralegals, and administrative support. Sue retired in October 2023. She has been coming to the Vineyard for almost 50 years and a homeowner for 25 years. She moved to permanent residency in 2023 and is eager to be most useful to the people and habitats of this island which we love so much. Sue joined the Harbor Homes board in 2024.
Katrina Lima
Katrina is a real estate agent on the Island and has been a long-time supporter of initiatives to eradicate homelessness in our community. Katrina earned a BA in Political Science from Boston University and is working towards an MA in Strategic Communications from American University. In addition to her real estate experience, she has extensive experience in communications, development, and marketing. Katrina has been a volunteer with the Harbor Homes shelter since it began as Houses of Grace and is excited about sharing her real estate and communication expertise with Harbor Homes.
Marjorie mason
Marjorie Mason has been a resident of Chilmark since 1987. She is a noted professional artist and has exhibited her work on the Island since 1981. She is a member of the Vineyard Friends Meeting as well as its Clerk of the Ministry and Council. Marjorie serves as liaison between Homeless Not Hopeless of Hyannis and Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard. She has also been a liaison between Houses of Grace winter shelter and Belonging to Each Other shelter program in Falmouth. She has been a volunteer at Houses of Grace from 2013 – 2019.
Shirley Redd
Dr. Shirley Redd retired after thirty years as a full time anesthesiologist from Caritas Norwood Hospital in 2010. She and her husband, Ed, the Honorable Edward R. Redd, a Justice in the Boston Municipal Court (retired in 2012) were married in 1973 and lived in Roxbury, Mass. The Redds have been members of the Island community (Oak Bluffs) since 1976. They are the proud parents of three adult daughters. Shirley is a long standing member of The Cottagers Inc. (since 1995), a philanthropic organization of African-American women homeowners. Shirley is an advocate for elderly services. She and her husband have been servant leaders of Married Couples Ministry at Morningstar Baptist Church (Boston) and now are active members of the Alliance Community Church, Oak Bluffs, MA. Shirley is a long standing member of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Board of Trustees in Hamilton MA since 2001. Shirley is an avid reader and enjoys travel and music. They are year round residents living in Oak Bluffs since 2019.
Genie Zeigler
Genie Zeigler has served as a Senior Vice President of Investments and Wealth Management services at Merrill Lynch for more than twenty years. Genie provides comprehensive investment and financial advisory services to individuals, families, corporations and non-profit organizations. Genie has received numerous awards in the financial services industry, and continues to serve as a guest speaker for numerous organizations and has been featured in several publications on the importance of wealth creation and financial planning.
More importantly, Genie has cultivated a rich history of community service. She has served on the board of numerous community-based organizations, such as The Schomburg Corporation for Research, Miracle Makers, and the New York Coalition for 100 Women. Additionally, Genie has served as a volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Dress for Success and MV Food Pantry, as well as many other organizations. Currently, she is an active member of the Cottagers - one of the oldest women-led philanthropic organizations on Martha's Vineyard.
Genie and her family have been visitors to Martha's Vineyard for more than twenty-two years. Genie was born and raised in New York City. She is a Certified Scuba Diver, triathlete and avid swimmer. Today, Genie is a candidate for the Certified Investment Management Analyst program at Yale University.