The Bassuk Center is a collaboration of service providers, clinicians, program developers, researchers, policymakers, and activists with the common goal of ending family homelessness in America.
Leadership
Ellen L. Bassuk, M.D.
President, Bassuk Center
Ellen is a pioneer in documenting the causes and consequences of family homelessness. For over 30 years, she has given a voice to homeless children and families. As a clinical researcher, she has investigated the connections among poverty, homelessness, trauma, and mental illness, and developed solutions to prevent and end homelessness for families and children. Ellen is a board certified psychiatrist who served as Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School for more than 30 years. She received her B.A. from Brandeis University, her M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine, and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Northeastern University. She served as Editor-In-Chief of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.
Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D.
Director, Bassuk Center
Jacki specializes in addressing medical and behavioral health issues to reduce health disparities for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children experiencing homelessness. With more than 20 years experience in lifestyle, behavioral, and integrative medicine, she has designed and implemented multidisciplinary programs for hospitals, health care systems, and clinics. Jacki completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Brown University, received an M.D. from George Washington School of Medicine, and an A.B. from Harvard University. She teaches aspects of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Amy SooHoo White, M.A.
Program Director, Bassuk Center
Amy oversees Bassuk Center’s programs, bringing over ten years of experience in homeless services and behavioral health. She previously worked with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Homeless and Housing Resource Network, where she served as Technical Assistance Lead for PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness), providing support to homeless service providers nationwide around implementation of best practices and effective data collection. Amy has also provided outreach and counseling services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Boston College.
Advisory Committee Members
Livia Davis, M.S.W., CSWM
Chair, Advisory Committee
Livia has 25 years of leadership and management experience in homeless assistance, supportive housing development, recovery supports, and technical assistance and consultation in best and evidence-based practices in human services. Ms. Davis has developed and operated programs in homeless services, supportive housing, health care, and behavioral health for the homeless, and residential treatment for people experiencing co-occurring disorders and homelessness. Ms. Davis has been featured in the national media for her leadership on innovative projects to address homelessness and recovery.
Christine Achre, M.A., LCPC
Christine is CEO of Primo Center for Women and Children in Chicago, IL. A trained clinician who has provided services to homeless families for 20 years, Christine has expertise in trauma-informed care, program development, research, and implementation of best practices for homeless families. She has worked in children’s mental health, and on developing a comprehensive system of care for children. Christine presents regularly at state, national, and international conferences.
Gloria Dickerson, B.S.
Gloria's expertise in recovery derives from her academic training and her lived experience of recovery from trauma, mental illness, and homelessness. She holds a B.S. from Tufts University and has completed master’s level studies in Instructional Design and Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Marc Dones, B.A.
Marc specializes in supporting human service providers to deliver recovery-oriented, trauma-informed services to people living with substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, and related challenges. Marc has previous experience working with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services where they focused on youth violence prevention and reduction as well as systemic responses to youth homelessness. Marc has also served as Director of Project Management for Child and Adolescent Services at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and served on the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. Marc is a graduate of New York University's Gallatin School with a concentration in Psychiatric Anthropology.
Mary E. Haskett, Ph.D.
Mary is a Professor Psychology at North Carolina State University, where her research focuses on factors that shape parenting, the influences of parenting on children’s social-emotional development, and understanding family homelessness. She recently co-edited “Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Current Practices and Future Directions,” and chaired a Task Force on 'Promoting Positive Parenting in the Context of Homelessness' for the American Psychological Association.
Ayala Livny, M.Ed.
Ayala works to improve health outcomes for people who are experiencing homelessness. She focuses on creating safe and welcoming spaces that promote harm reduction, HIV-prevention, trauma-informed services, and positive youth development. Ayala holds a B.S. in Psychology from University of Illinois, and a master’s of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies and a master’s in Education from University of Pennsylvania.
Alisa Thornton
Alisa, a realtor in Virginia, serves as Client Advocate and Speaker for Doorways for Women in Arlington, VA, sharing her experiences of homelessness to give hope and strength to others. As a realtor, she works with families in varying circumstances to find safe and stable housing. Alisa is the proud mother of two daughters—one in middle school and the other a sophomore in college.
Robert Sember, M.A., ABD
Robert is a public health ethnographer, artist, and community organizer. He taught public health at Columbia University, where he served on the Center for Evaluation and Technical Assistance, and the Secretariat for the International Working Group on Sexuality and Social Policy. Robert teaches art at The New School’s Eugene Lang College. He holds an M.A. and an A.B.D. in Performance Studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Joe Willard, M.A.
Joe is Vice President for Policy at the People’s Emergency Center in Philadelphia, PA. He also chairs the Philadelphia Continuum of Care Advisory Committee, co-chairs the Homeless Advocacy and PA Provider Network, and has served on the McKinney Vento Strategic Planning Committee. Joe is the author of numerous publications, including 'Homeless Youth in Philadelphia' and 'Childhood Homelessness in Pennsylvania.' He earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and his master’s degree from Hunter College.