Ciara is a strong-willed public health professional who is passionate about health outside the walls of a hospital. As Program and Communications Manager, she facilitates connection through social media and boosts the visibility of the work that the community and the Coalition are doing. Originally from a small, tight-knit community in New Hampshire, she is inspired by the strength of the people of Charlestown. Ciara received her Bachelors degree from Brandeis University and her Masters in Public Health from Northeastern University. Ciara has previously worked with Medicaid ACO programs, ensuring quality healthcare and connecting MA residents to housing and food resources. She has also worked in cancer care and research, igniting her passion for equitable care across races, genders, and economic backgrounds.
Sarah Coughlin, LICSW, LADC-I is a zealous advocate for addiction and mental health services, criminal justice reform, and health equity. In her role as the Charlestown Coalition Director, she oversees the work of the multi-sector coalition, building the capacity of the community and addressing its top identified health concerns (substance use, quality education, employment, income equality, housing, violence, trauma, and youth mental health) by working to address the root causes of these public health issues. She is the Board President of the National Association of Social Workers MA Chapter, has a small private practice, and is a state social work expert vendor for the Committee for Public Counsel Services. She previously served as the Coalition's Youth Prevention Director, and before that as the clinical social worker at A1 Boston Police Station. Sarah received her bachelor’s in Social Work from Providence College, her Masters in Social Work from Boston College, and completed a post-graduate clinical certificate program in the relational and multi-contextual treatment of trauma at Simmons College.