Newton Residents Named as Co-Chairs for RFK Community Alliance Gala

NEWTON/WAYLAND, Mass. – Newton residents Former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III and John J. Boyle III, and Emma Carpenter, of Wayland, all longtime members of the board of directors at RFK Community Alliance, formerly RFK Children’s Action Corps, will serve as event co-chairs for Embracing the Legacy, the nonprofit’s premier annual gala that raises funds to support its programs.

Over the years, RFK Children’s Action Corps, now RFK Community Alliance, has sought to celebrate and acknowledge groundbreaking individuals who exemplify the organization’s mission to promote meaningful and sustained well-being for children, youth, and adults facing educational, developmental, mental health, and other challenges. Each year, the organization serves about 1,500 individuals and families statewide through programs based in Acton, Boston, Clinton, Holyoke, Lancaster, Middleton, Springfield, and South Hadley, as well as nationally through adoption services and training and technical assistance focused on youth justice transformation. The organization’s headquarters is in Lancaster.

Born and educated in the United Kingdom, Carpenter is passionate about leveraging technology for social development. She is currently the Global Security Leader for Cisco. Boyle, a nine-time co-chair for the event, is deeply committed to improving the lives of children and families across the Commonwealth. As Executive Vice Chair at Cushman and Wakefield, one of the largest commercial real estate services firms in the world, he oversees tenant representation for Greater Boston and sits on the firm’s Global Advisory Board. As event co-chairs, they help with fundraising and event details.

“In the tradition of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Emma, Joe and John are passionate about helping children and families facing challenges to lead their best lives,” says Michael W. Ames, PhD, President and CEO of the RFK Community Alliance. “We are grateful for their tireless efforts to raise funds in support of our mission and to work with those in our care to become capable, connected, and healthy.”

During the event, Former Congressman Kennedy, will reflect on his late grandfather’s legacy and the lasting contributions he made toward protecting society’s most vulnerable children and families.

The event will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and program, with awards presented to Nora Baston, Superintendent of the Boston Police Academy; Jay Calnan, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of J. Calnan & Associates, Inc. and Co-Founder of Team Impact; Edward Loughlin, Founder and Executive Director of Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators (posthumous); Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Former President and CEO of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Ed Kelley, retired CEO of Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, will also receive the Lifetime Achievement award. For event details, please visit www.rfkcommunity.org/events/etl.

About RFK Community Alliance

RFK Community Alliance, previously Doctor Franklin Perkins School and RFK Children’s Action Corps, provides high-quality care and support to people and families facing complicated challenges in the state of Massachusetts. As a multi-service agency, we offer a wide range of programs serving a variety of needs across all ages from infants to seniors. Our mission is to promote meaningful and sustained well-being for children, youth, and adults facing educational, developmental, mental health, and other challenges. We work hand-in-hand with the person being served, their family and community to build on strengths and help develop networks of support. Learn more at rfkcommunity.org.

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