Who We Are

Samaritans’ purpose is to alleviate despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community, 24 hours a day; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. 

The Samaritans of Boston was established in 1974. In 2005, we joined forces with our sister branch in Framingham to become Samaritans. Samaritans is a United Way of Massachusetts Bay affiliate and also a certified member of Contact USA. There are Samaritans offices in other regions of Massachusetts, the U.S. and the world, the first having originated in England in 1953. Samaritans branches share a common mission and philosophy, but operate independently of each other. Samaritans is a non-denominational agency and provides services to any individual, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, race, disabilities, sexual orientation or religion.

As the only suicide prevention organization in the greater Boston and MetroWest areas, Samaritans is an important resource to the community, providing a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service that alleviates the isolation and emotional despair that can lead to suicide.

Samaritans Staff

Roberta Hurtig, Executive Director
Beth Schultz, Chief Development Officer
Ron White, Chief Program Officer
Eileen Davis, Director of Framingham Site
Kim Kates, Director of Grief Support Services
Danielle Bolduc, Program Manager
Lesli Cashin, Program Coordinator
Kacy Cerasoli, Program Assistant
Kelley Cunningham, Education & Outreach Manager
Kirstie Crawford, Development Manager
Jonathan Grollman, Boston Program Manager
Jeri Lea Kisala, Office Manager
Garrett Owen, Development Manager
Cheryl Stokes, Program Assistant
Maeve Sullivan, Program Assistant

Samaritans Board of Directors

Steve Mongeau/OfficeMax, Chair
Terrie Perella/Deloitte, First Vice Chair
Peter Marsh/ATEX, Second Vice Chair
Kim Gagnon-McNiff/Leone, Morrissey, Henriksen & Synan, P.C., Treasurer
Joe Shapiro/Rum & Reggae Guidebooks, Clerk
Gary Beckmann/Integra Radionics
Marc Bellanger/The Kessler Group
Peter Bean/Newmark Knight Frank
Tom Burke
Vin Capozzi/Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
John Cole/Cole Creative
Donalda Hingston/Town of Brookline
Ed Hoell/Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
Hall Kirkham/St. Peter's Church
J. Brian Potts/Fiduciary Trust
Jane Quercia/Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Inc. 
Lisa Sarno/Sierra Tucson
Norma Stracener
Sarah Wheeler/Seaview Global Advisors
Jeff Zegas/Zurick Davis