Community Hero Award
Fantini Bakery
Originally founded in 1902 by Sabatino Fantini, Fantini Bakery had a humble, but proud beginning in Haverhill, MA. The bakery began as a modest, over-the-counter sales operation in which it produced quality, hand-mixed breads and baked them fresh daily in brick ovens.
Throughout the years, Fantini Bakery has continued to grow, passing from generation to generation, all the way to the current and fifth-generation owners, Joe and Robert Fantini. Joe and Robert Fantini have been steadfast supporters of Emmaus for many years. The bakery donates bread to Emmaus several times a week and the bakery also supports Emmaus financially through the annual Cycle for Shelter fundraising event.
Community Builder Lifetime Achievement Award
State Rep. Brian Dempsey
Brian S. Dempsey represents the 3rd Essex District, consisting of the City of Haverhill, is currently serving his 6th term as the House Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. Brian was born and raised in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he and his wife, Julie have three children, Ryan, Tyler and Brittany. He is a 1984 graduate of Haverhill High School and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell where he received a Bachelor of Arts.
In 1991, he was elected to his first term to the House of Representatives. During this time he has served as House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Service, Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and House Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. In January 2011. Chairman Dempsey has authored the past six House Budget proposals, and has served as a house conferee on each of the subsequent Budget Conference Committees.
As Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Brian co-authored an Act Relative to Economic Development Reorganization and an Act Establishing Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth. While Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, he co-authored the Green Communities Act, that was signed into law on July 2, 2008. The Green Communities Act places a comprehensive focus on major energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the Commonwealth. He was also co-author of the 2003 Economic Development Reorganization Act, the state’s $100 million Economic Stimulus package which helped strengthen the Massachusetts economy and create new jobs for the residents of the Commonwealth.
Brian's tenure in state government has had a profound impact on Haverhill and the community at large--including Emmaus. He has helped Emmaus secure much-needed state funding to further its programs and mission.
In September, Brian left the State House to become the senior vice president and chief operation officer at ML Strategies in Boston.
Guest Keynote Speaker
Jane Banks, Assistant Undersecretary for the Division of Housing Stabilization, MA Department of Housing and Community Development
Jane Banks is the new Assistant Undersecretary for the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)'s Division of Housing Stabilization. Jane previously worked at the Center for Human Development in Springfield where she worked for nearly twenty years. While there she held leadership roles with oversight of an array of multi-services programs serving families, children and individuals. She has managed a number of programs including: one of the Commonwealths largest EA shelter programs with shelter capacity of 297 families within their portfolio, HUD funded Supportive Housing Programs, Community Housing Supportive Program for families and individuals in Northampton, a Single Room Occupancy Program, and an very successful EA diversion program.
