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 is committed to keeping usable home goods out of landfills and in the hands of people who can use them. Before Welcome Home, Julie worked in elder care for 20 years, including end of life care, and Newton at Home. Julie places high value on the partnerships that sustain Newton non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses, to make Newton a thriving place for all. She grew up in Newton, raised her children in Newton, and appreciates that she can now walk to work.
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
When Lynne isn't volunteering at Welcome Home, she works as a Commercial Real Estate Broker with Conviser Property Group. She enjoys interacting with those who donate goods to Welcome Home, as well as the individuals who come to pickup their orders. |
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 professional career in the nonprofit sector to raise a family, Melanie returns to the field with her collaborative spirit. "Working with donors to ensure a continuous supply of in-demand goods keeps me close to the Welcome Home mission." |
Our Volunteers
Alex Ablon-Jordana Alford-Laurie Alford-Jacquie Arbuckle-Jessica Aronoff-Helen Bavington-Alberto Betancour Longas-Ronna Benjamin-Elie Bosco-Gabe Burdan-Carol Chudnofsky-Sandy Cobb-Rachel Dayanim-Cara Dennis-Bridget Faison-Lynne Cohen Friedman-Heidi Gambino-Karen Garb-Abby Gordon-Julia Hamilton-Sarah Healy-Sabine Holston-Sarah Housman-Martha Tobar Hoyas-Madison Jackson-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-Rebeca Pazo-Mindy Peckler-Sophie Peckler-Rachel Pemstein-Lisa Porter-Eva Radding-Dave Roover-Michelle Roover-Cathy Shait-Francine Shron-Melanie Siegal-Gail Stein-Jack Stein-Jason Stein-Rebecca Stein-Rick Thau-
Sandy Cohn Thau