LYNN — Resident Pierre Lubin is one of Volunteers of America of Massachusetts’ (VOAMASS) newest additions to its Board of Directors.
Located in Jamaica Plain, VOAMASS provides outpatient and residential behavioral health, housing, employment, veterans, and re-entry and diversion services.
Lubin, who is the chief human resources officer at Codman Square Health Center, said he is excited to work with VOAMASS because the organization’s approach is wholesome care.
He added the services the nonprofit develops and provides are centered around workforce development to ensure those who are at risk of or have previously been incarcerated do not remain jobless.
“All of that work under workforce development that most people don’t think about has a lot of impact. It helps reduce recidivism from those incarcerated people. It promotes financial independence,” Lubin said. “It really speaks to my heart.”
Lubin emphasized that the United States and Massachusetts spends too much money on incarceration and in order to help people stay out of prison, services should not be one or the other.
“(VOAMASS is) providing the skills development, the job training, that people need so they don’t remain jobless, so they’re able to stay out of prison,” he said.
Lubin, who grew up in Everrett and Chelsea, said he moved to Lynn in 2021 as he’s always had a connection to the city through family members. He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Salem State University and also holds a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.
Being a Haitian migrant, he hopes young men of color will read his story and realize that if he is successful, then they can be too.
“No matter where you come from, whether you were born here or coming here as a migrant – There are lots of opportunities for you,” he said.
Lubin said his role working at a nonprofit was with Community Resources for Justice in the South End.
Community Resources for Justice has several divisions that provides an array of re-entry services, disability social justice and advocacy services, and behavioral health services.
“So that kind of opened up my eyes. Got me more interested in social work and wanted to give more back to my community, and which then led me to Codman Square Center,” he said.
The VOAMASS got its name in 1896 from the founders of the national organization, when a volunteer was a person dedicated to a mission or a cause.
VOAMASS operates three assisted living residences. The organization serves 3,500-plus individuals across Massachusetts
