Overview
The Dee Kennedy Project (DKP) provides adults involved with the criminal-legal system a supportive pathway as they navigate the criminal-legal system and work toward an exit from commercial sexual exploitation. DKP utilizes a trauma-informed and client-centered approach that is provided by a Peer Advocate/Recovery Coach working with North Suffolk and a supporting team.
Note: Currently DKP is only accepting referrals with justice-involvement in Suffolk County.
DKP offers a variety of services to adults involved with commercial sexual exploitation including: a peer advocate and recovery coach who lends a supportive ear, offers peer support and provides advocacy, connections to social and clinical services, and assistance with achieving short- and long-term goals.
Supports Provided
| Court accompaniment | Safety planning | Crisis intervention |
| Exiting strategies | Harm reduction | Transportation to appointments |
| Employment | Food Access | Clothing access and hygiene product access through Dee’s Closet in Dorchester Court |
| Peer support | Support groups | Support and advocacy |
| Access to treatment programs for addiction and mental health supports | Support and connections around housing search | and more |
Eligibility and Referrals
Eligible adults must have a history or current involvement with commercial exploitation, be 18 years of age or older, and have criminal-legal system involvement at any Boston Municipal Court (e.g., open cases, warrants, on probation/parole, filing for a restraining order, etc.).
To make a referral, contact:
Sandra Andrade, Peer Advocate/Recovery Coach,
Email: sa******@no**********.org
Phone: 617-284-6884
In your referral, please provide the following:
- Referral’s name
- Date of birth
- Contact information
- Next court date
- Charges
- Whether it is safe to leave a voicemail on their phone
Core Team
- Sheila Casey, Project Director, sh**********@ju*.us
- Judge Lisa Ann Grant, li************@ju*.us
- Katie Bryce, Project Coordinator, ka*************@ju*.us
- Sandra Andrade, Court Advocate, sa******@no**********.org
In Memory
Ms. Deirdre Kennedy, affectionately known as “Dee”, passed away in 2019 as the Chief Probation Officer at the Dorchester Municipal Court. She first joined the Massachusetts Probation Service as a Probation Officer in 1991. Dee had a generous spirit, quiet optimism, tenacity, strong work ethic, and compassion for her staff, colleagues, and community. She found her passion working in Probation, mostly as a domestic violence expert. During her career she served on the Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative at Dorchester Court and managed the Domestic Violence Court in Dorchester from 2000-2005. Then she provided expertise to the Family Justice Center of Boston, a collaborative effort of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Boston, and 19 on-site criminal justice state and community-based partner organizations, including the Boston Police and Dorchester Court. She was promoted to Chief Probation Officer in 2013. Dee will always be remembered for fighting to hold perpetrators accountable and rallying in support of those who appeared to have no voice and limited power.
To read more about Dee and her impacts on the community, click here.
