Welcome Home is run by a volunteer staff dedicated
to keeping useful home goods out of landfills and putting them
into the hands and homes of those who can use them.
to keeping useful home goods out of landfills and putting them
into the hands and homes of those who can use them.
Board Members
Julie Plaut Mahoney
Board President and Executive Director Julie comes to Welcome Home after working for 20 years in elder care in the Boston area, including EPOCH Hospice Care and Newton at Home. This professional experience, combined with the personal experience of caring for family, motivates her interest in giving used home goods their next home and limiting barriers to access. Julie grew up in Newton Center, raised her children in Newton Center, and is grateful to the Board of Trinity Church for hosting Welcome Home in Newton Center.
Jordana Alford
A lifelong volunteer, Jordana left behind a corporate marketing job to become a volunteer for Stop Stigma Now, a company that fights the stigma associated with addiction. She also dedicates time to many other local causes that have global reach. In addition, Jordana is on the executive board of CJP/Women's Philanthropy and on the board of directors for Temple Emanuel in Newton. Jordana loves volunteering at Welcome Home helping donors recycle and repurpose their home goods and working with clients to pick out items that will make their house a home. |
Tim Mahoney, CPA, Treasurer
Tim Mahoney has been a Welcome Home volunteer since the earliest days, and has been Treasurer since 2019. Tim is a Certified Public Accountant and partner at Starr, Finer, Starr, LLP in Boston, Ma. He is President of Temple Emanuel, Newton, and is an avid player on the Temple Emanuel men's softball team. 
Mindy Peckler
Mindy has been a part of Welcome Home since its inception. She cares deeply about the mission and is passionate about helping people turn their houses into warm and welcoming homes. Mindy is also committed to the Sisterhood at Temple Emanuel, CJP, Community Hevra Kadisha, Tufts Hillel, League of Women Voters and the Newton Election Commission. Professionally, she has worked for Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, a fundraising consulting firm, for 24 years where she coordinates the firm’s research, feasibility/campaign readiness studies. |
Lynne Cohen-Friedman
Lynne has been a volunteer at Welcome Home for a little over a year. She works as a Commercial Real Estate Broker with Conviser Property Group. She enjoys interacting with those who donate goods as well as the individuals who come to shop. |
Lisa Porter
Lisa joined Welcome Home at its inception. She loves the idea of recycling home goods in the best way possible-by keeping them in circulation. Before dedicating herself to volunteerism, Lisa worked for 10 years in the editorial world at MFS Investments. After having children, she became a pre-school teacher at the Second Church Nursery School in West Newton where she worked for 13 years.
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Julia Hamilton
Julia joined Welcome Home as a volunteer in January 2020. Before raising two children full-time, she worked in Marketing, Training and Development. Volunteering has been an important source of joy, fulfillment and community since her high school years. She has tutored elementary children, built homes through Habitat for Humanity, served as a Buddy at AIDS Action, assisted with coordination of the Newton Kids PMC, and contributed to numerous PTO events and fundraisers. “It’s great to be a part of protecting our environment while gifting basic household necessities to those facing financial hardship. What is useless to some is worth a lot to others.” |
Melanie Siegal
After a 17-year hiatus from her own professional career in the nonprofit sector to raise a family, Melanie returns to the field with her versatile spirit. Melanie serves as Lead Volunteer Coordinator, Donation Scheduler and Price Center Liaison. "Wearing a variety of hats at Welcome Home allows me to contribute in ways that highlight the interconnections among our volunteers, clients, donors, and community." |
Our Volunteers and Teen Interns
Jordana Alford-Laurie Alford-Jacquie Arbuckle-Jessica Aronoff-Helen Bavington-Elie Bosco-Gabe Burdan-Colleen Carroll-Sandy Cobb-Rachel Dayanim-Cara Dennis-Lynne Cohen Friedman-Sandy Cohn Thau-Heidi Gambino-Micah Gilpin-Julia Hamilton-Max Harthorne-Sarah Healy-Sabine Holston-Sarah Housman-Sunwoo Kahng-Sheryl Kalis-Carol Kirson-Lisa Laniado-Janet Magenheim-Tim Mahoney-Robin Maltz-Lauren Meese-Gigi Metcalf-Jill Millis-Joan Minklei-
Ali Newman-Maureen Oates-Mindy Peckler-Sophie Peckler-Rachel Pemstein-Lisa Porter-Eva Radding-Michelle Roover-Cathy Shait-Francine Shron-Melanie Siegal-Gail Stein-Jack Stein-Jason Stein-Rebecca Stein