Bernadette attended Rhode Island College and Assumption College, where she received a Certification in Youth Ministries and is a graduate of the Class of 2013 Leadership SouthCoast. A New Bedford native and life-long City resident, Bernadette is deeply committed to her community, especially its youth. She is a longtime youth advocate and has significant experience in youth programming by virtue of her long tenure at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford. She is the Executive Director for Youth Opportunities Unlimited and has been for the past nine years.
Growing up, Bernadette was very fortunate to have the right mentors and many moms who kept her on that narrow road and now she feels it is her turn to pay it forward. There are so many resources available and she feels that it is her job to connect the right families, youth and people to these unique resources.
Bernadette is one of Our Sisters’ School’s founding Trustees and has served on their Board of Trustees for eight years. She is now serving on the school’s Advisory Board. She serves on the New Bedford Whaling Museum Board and serves on the Governance & Education Committee. She is a member of the Board of Corporators for BayCoast Bank, serves and is the secretary of the Greater NB Youth Alliance and its Executive Committee. With enormous energy and a deep seeded passion for youth development, Bernadette is a powerful asset to this community and its youth and their families!