Office:
City Councilor
District:
4 (Wards 8 & 10)
Address:
7 Lucian Street
Worcester, MA 01603
Office Number:
508-799-1049
Email:
RiveraSA@worcesterma.gov
About
Dr. Sarai Rivera of 7 Lucian Street is serving her sixth two-year term as District Four Councilor. Councilor Rivera has worked professionally within the Worcester Community in the field of human services and mental health since 1988 and has extensive experience in the areas of community mental health, and interventions for multicultural populations in urban settings as well as community organizing. She has specialized in crisis interventions, trauma, group work, individual therapy and pastoral counseling for adults, adolescents and families. She has developed and implemented clinical and psycho-educational programs for adolescents and adults with a joint publication in 1997 in the American Psychiatric Association (Nuevos Horizontes a Latino Day Program).
District Four generally includes the following neighborhoods: Green Island, Kelley Square, lower Vernon Hill, the Canal District south of Kelley Square, Four Corners, Main South, South Worcester, Piedmont, Crown Hill, downtown west of Main Street, Gardner/Kilby/Hammond, Clark University, Webster Square and Highland Street east of Park Avenue.
Education
Doctor Sarai Rivera is Puerto Rican, born in Bronx, New York. She came to Worcester Massachusetts at the age of four, where she was raised and educated through College. Mrs. Rivera is an alumna of Worcester State College (Bachelors of Science- Psychology); the University of Connecticut School Social Work (Masters in Social Work - concentration in Clinical and Group Work) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctorate in Urban Ministries - publication Developing Agents of Shalom: Leadership Development for Community Transformation - specific focus on Latino Leadership).
Objectives
Dr. Sarai Rivera has dedicated her life's work to issues of social justice. She began early in her career working with high-risk children, youth and families that were often part of the State's protective or juvenile system. She also began working intensively in the field of major mental illness for youth and adults. This led to her work with youth, adults and families from marginalized and stigmatize communities, where she helped to advocate and participate in creating evidence-based models of intervention. She now continues with the same passion working on the implementation of social policy that helps bring forth equity in the following areas: Health Equity, Youth Violence Prevention and intervention Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Undocumented Minors (and Asylum Seekers), Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Combating Racism and Educational Equity.
Personal Facts
Ordained in 2000, Rev. Dr. Rivera co-founded Christian Community Church with her husband, the Rev. Jose Encarnacion. They are co-pastors of the successful urban ministry that is a catalyst for change through faith in action and community organizing. She is the Recipient of various awards and recognitions for her work and dedication both locally and abroad.