"We are very lucky to have found someone with as much passion for CAAS' work as Kim," said Board President Paul DiPasquale. "We welcome her to Somerville and to CAAS."

"I am grateful to join a passionate organization like CAAS," Smith-Cofield said. "CAAS addresses the hard realities of individuals and families that live in the wealthiest country in the world– and yet are plagued with being among the 22% of our overall population living in poverty. These numbers are bound to climb as the country's financial, housing, education and immigration policies and services continue to go through drastic changes. I'm impressed with CAAS' program, staff and board, who have a forward approach as we look to the organization's next chapter in its life."

Kimberly Smith-Cofield's career in human services spanned twenty-eight years before her arrival at CAAS, addressing the needs of organizations serving communities, children, families, adolescent boys and girls, and people with mental illness and developmental disorders. She has directed other agencies in the Greater Boston area including Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, 2000-2003, and Casa Myrna Vasquez, 1994-96. She served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, 1998 to 2000, and Associated Day Care Services of Metropolitan Boston, 1996-1997.

Smith-Cofield received her B.A. in Sociology from Vassar College in 1981 and a Master's degree in Education from Cambridge College in 1992. She participated in the Executive Transitions Program at Third Sector New England, receiving Interim Executive Director Certification in 2007.

Smith-Cofield will follow Jack Hamilton as Executive Director of CAAS, where he served since 1983 before retiring on January 2. Tickets for the Jack Hamilton Retirement Party at the Dante Club on Friday, January 23, are still available at a cost of $15. Please send a check made out to "CAAS/Retirement Party" to CAAS, 66-70 Union Square #104, Somerville, MA 02143, attention Ellie Blute, by Friday, January 16.

The mission of CAAS is to reduce poverty among local families and individuals while working to counteract, and whenever possible eliminate, the societal conditions that cause and perpetuate poverty. For more information about CAAS, see www.caasomerville.org.