Deacon Laverne S. Williams, CSW - Zoom Guest & Topic on 6.01.21

During this time of crisis and uncertainty many rely on faith for support and stability. The community is invited to join Laverne S. Williams, CSW, a Deacon at the Union Baptist Church in Montclair, for a free Zoom.us session, entitled "Thankful Tuesdays." During these sessions, Deacon Williams and her special guests explore important topics centered around faith and spirituality. The program is offered at 2 p.m. every Tuesday: individuals may participate online through the Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/424719863?pw... or by visiting Zoom.us, Meeting ID number 424 719 863, Password 469922 or by calling 646-558-8656. The program may also be viewed on Facebook Live @MentalHealthAssociationinNewJerseyInc.

On Tuesday June 1st, Deacon Williams' guests will be Keith Da Costa and Kevin J. Silvestrini-Cordero.

Keith Da Costa has been a leader in the healthcare industry for over 30 years. Mr. Da Costa has been a healthcare consultant for the past 15 years. He is currently the Founder and Managing Director of CareSparc Consulting Inc. CareSparc Consulting is a multi-disciplinary consulting firm with a team of 13 consultants that specialize in designing evidence-based community engagement programs for at risk populations in the realms of health, wellness, re-entry and sustainability through collaborative partnerships with corporations and community organizations. Additionally, CareSparc provides fund development, strategic planning and event management services.

Prior to becoming the Managing Director of CareSparc, Mr. Da Costa, founded No Barriers Home Care Services. During his tenure from 1988 to 2002 as Chief Executive Officer, No Barriers Home Care Services experienced significant growth with revenues of over $5,000,000 annually. With a commitment to hiring residents, Mr. DaCosta led the effort to hire 48% of its 200-member workforce utilizing participants from the “Work First New Jersey” initiative. Under his leadership No Barriers received numerous awards and accolades for their work. In 1999 and 2000, Mr. Da Costa was recognized by Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman for his role in supporting New Jersey’s Welfare-to-Work program. Additional boards include serving as the Chair of The New Jersey State Commission of Cancer Research, which focuses on descendants of the African diaspora and marginalized communities in New Jersey, The Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Additional boards include:

• Amgen
• Glaxo Smith Kline
• Sanofi-Aventis
• New Jersey AIDS Partnership
• Newark Work First Investment Board, Chair
• Newark Municipal Council Health Committee
• Newark Emergency Services for Families

TELEVISION APPEARANCES: RADIO APPEARANCES:

• Eye on New Jersey WNJR

· One-on-One with Steve Adubato K Rock 100

• CBS News

• New Jersey News 12

• Comcast News

• The Black Experience

PRINT PUBLICATIONS:

Co-authored article that appeared in the August 2000 journal of the National Medical Association entitled Community Outreach: Call for Action

Kevin J. Silvestrini-Cordero, M.B.A.

Kevin attended Rutgers University New Brunswick and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2015 and minor in Education.

Kevin was recruited by CareSparc Consulting, Inc. in 2014 as an executive assistant to the Managing Director and was elevated to Administrative Director in 2018.

Throughout Kevin’s stint with CareSparc Consulting, Kevin has led multiple community engagement projects within the Newark and Greater Newark Community, initiated and developed 100+ stakeholder relationships from various sectors, healthcare, government, non-profit, for-profit and academic institutions.

Kevin received his Master’s in business administration from Seton Hall University in 2019 with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.

Kevin is an Alumni of Zeta Beta Tau Beta Delta Chapter at Rutgers University, Board Member of the Wilson Initiative for Health & Social Equity, Inc. and was appointed to the Newark Workforce Development Board by the City of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

Laverne Williams, CSW is the Director of the PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) Program for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. Ms. Williams is a New Jersey Certified Social Worker, WRAP (Wellness & Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. With over 35+ years of experience in mental health service, Ms. Williams is a highly sought- after conference keynote and workshop facilitator. Her workshops have been presented to numerous statewide and local agencies, consumer organizations and family member groups. As an advocate on behalf of persons with mental illness, and a Deacon at her church, Ms. Williams diligently develops partnerships between faith-based communities and behavioral health institutions by bridging the gap between theology and mental health.

Ms. Williams was quoted in the April 2017 #1 best-selling book, Option B – Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Gant.

To contact Deacon Williams please email: lwilliams@mhanj.org.