Spotlight: Mary Regan, Community Organizer
Mary Regan
Mary says “I'm excited to work with the Dorchester Food Co-op because it enables me to bring my passion and community organizing experience together with my love for Dorchester, to advance food equity in our neighborhoods.”
My job is to connect with members. That means I will work with the member-owners to achieve the goals of the
Co-op. Plugging people into opportunities by volunteering at farmers markets, making fundraiser phone calls and a variety of tasks that need to happen to move us towards our goal. Connecting to other neighbors of The Co-op, telling people about The Co-op, going to neighborhood meetings, community meetings and helping people learn about the Co-op and how to become a member-owner.
How did you hear about the position?
I joined The Co-op at the Ashmont Farmers Market and heard about the position a year ago. I applied and was excited because I could use my community organizing skills here in Dorchester.
Your bio says you have lived in 3 zip codes of Dorchester. Where were you born and what brought you to Dorchester?
I grew up in East Orange, NJ and came to Boston for college, then lived in Philadelphia and Brazil for 5 years. I wanted to come back to Boston because I knew there were Portuguese speakers here, I had learned Portuguese in Brazil and wanted to come back so I wouldn’t lose this skill.
What is your favorite food?
So many kinds! For dinner, I’d say stir fry vegetables and tofu over brown rice. Dessert, chocolate pudding or spice cake. Favorite fruit is papaya, but I don’t eat it so much here in the States--but a lot in Brazil.
What is a fun fact about you?
I love to dance! Living in Brazil I learned a lot of dance moves.
What are the top 3 things you want to accomplish as DFC Community Organizer?
1. To build membership in the neighborhoods around the store
2. To involve member-owners in all the aspects of the work of the Coop
3. To open the store with strong membership engagement.
Give us some ideas of ways the Dorchester community and members can look forward to being involved with the Co-op.
We are trying to connect with and attend more local farmers markets this summer and could use member-owners to help with that. We are always looking to meet with neighborhood organizations and community groups. Spread the word to your neighbors, families, friends and your faith community. SPREAD the word about the Co-op!!! Especially during the winter months, we are looking for community events and activities around the Bowdoin-Geneva area so we can connect with more neighbors close to the store location.
(Interview by Tara R.)