Catrina Cooley
Catrina, a Boston native, attended Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware where she studied Criminal Justice and Sociology. She returned to Boston and worked as a correctional officer at MCI Framingham and at Hillside Pre-release providing case management to state felons. It was during this time that Catrina found her passion for working with the disenfranchised population. She then studied Psychology at the University of Massachusetts and worked as the Director of Short-Term Treatment program for the Suffolk County House of Correction. Catrina then shifted her focus to drugs, alcohol, HIV and AIDS by studying with Francis Brisbane receiving a certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling from the National Black Alcohol Institute. For 8 years, Catrina worked on the AIDS Action Committee where she provided client and prevention services. She then worked as the Program Coordinator at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition tearing down barriers in the community around the AIDS virus. For over 15 years, Catrina has mobilized communities of color to end the epidemic of HIV and AIDS. She is now the Program Manager of Community Affairs Recovery Services at the Boston Public Health Commission. She worked closely with Nubian Square and Mass and Cass decreasing harm around drug use and homelessness. Catrina has also worked with the Voter Corps initiative lead by Kevin Peterson and Danny Glover advocating for voters rights specifically in communities of color. Personally, Catrina has a passion for music, and created Behind the ScenZeZ Health UpBeat, which brings health education to music entertainment venues. In her free time, Catrina sings gospel music, is on Freda Battle and The Temple Worshippers CD, Serious Praise. Catrina believes her interests and accomplishments have come together because of her belief in God, hoping that one day HIV is eradicated.