Doreen Arnfield has served the Amesbury community since 2007. She is a Licensed Social Worker and is trained in evidence-based programming; Chronic Disease Self-Management Leader, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, and Healthy Eating for Successful Living Leader. With a background in health education and Community Social Psychology, she has the passion and opportunity to assist in providing many different wellness programs to the growing older adult population. As Director she enjoys supporting her dedicated staff and the wonderful community collaborations that allow for great programming and services to the community's older members.
As important, is the capacity to assist seniors and disabled adults with accessing many resources like fuel assistance, food stamps, housing and transportation. One way she helps to meet those needs of the growing community is by teaming up with colleges to supervise interns who then work with elders doing outreach. Doreen is a member of the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Advisory Board. She is married and has two sons, 2 step daughters and 6 grandchildren.
Courtney Hutchinson, MA, MSW, LICSW - Assistant Director & EMHOT Program Manager
Courtney is a licensed independent clinical social worker who holds a Masters degree in criminal justice and social work. After receiving her Masters in Criminal Justice back in 2006, and working various jobs with both the state and non-profit, Courtney decided that a Master's in Social Work would better suit the population that she wants to work with (older adults). After working with people of all stages of life, infancy through end of life, Courtney has found her passion working with older adults that are struggling with mental health issues.
Born, raised, and having spent much of her life on the North Shore. Courtney enjoys spending her time with:
Her children
Her three year old English mastiff, Winston who is also a mental health therapy dog
Her four Nigerian dwarf goats: Remy, Rex, Knox & Nash
Andrew Suggs - Program Coordinator & Community Relations
Andrew grew up in Amesbury and graduated from Amesbury High School before leaving town for college at Fordham University in New York City. Andrew had a successful career in the music industry doing marketing and artists and repertoire (A&R) that included many awards, and helping start a record label that launched one of the biggest acts in music today. Andrew left NYC to help start a professional soccer team in Tampa, FL. Andrew returned back to Amesbury to be closer to family.
Upon hearing about the position at the Council on Aging, Andrew was very excited to become involved in supporting the mission of the COA. Upon joining the team in August of 2019, Andrew has found great joy in bringing programming and opportunities to the members of the community, and supporting the efforts of the amazing social work and outreach team.
Kaylyn MacDougall - Outreach Coordinator
Kaylyn MacDougall comes to the Council on Aging with a rich background serving older adults. Her career with older adults began in 2015 as the Resident Life Director in Assisted Living through 2021. She continued her pursuit in assisting aging adults in recreating purposefulness in their lives through various enrichment programming tailored to their needs. In 2021, Kaylyn shifted from Assisted Living to Case Management in Waltham, MA. Kaylyn was nominated by the Massachusetts ALA Excellence Award for her role working “directly with the residents and designs programs to encourage socialization, relaxation, and fulfillment.
In early 2023, Kaylyn and her family moved to Amesbury from the Boston area and was thrilled to have landed at the COA. Kaylyn is looking forward to providing opportunities and assistance to the Amesbury community as the Outreach Coordinator. She enjoys spending her out of office time at the beach, reading and with her Golden Retriever, Henry Otis!
Cindy Chapper MSW, LCSW - EMHOT Case Worker
Cindy is a licensed certified social worker with a Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelors degree in Gerontology. Her passion for working with older adults stemmed from her close relationship with her maternal grandparents and wanting to help those who were less fortunate. She has worked in the field of geriatrics for over 30 years in various roles including home care, adult protective services, assisted care and long term care and is excited about her new position with the COA’s EMHOT program.
Cindy grew up on the Southcoast and has lived in the Merrimack Valley area for the last 20 years with her husband and son. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, knitting, and reading a good mystery!
One of the key features that make the Amesbury Council on Aging so good at helping our clients is the involvement of interns. Every year new interns come in to help serve the Amesbury community. They assist our clients with navigating the ever changing government and non-profit services offered to the senior community. This page is dedicated to interns coming into our facility and leaving their mark here in Amesbury. Thank you for all you do.
Current Interns
Interns 2021 to 2022
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Mia Hayden
Salem State
Social Work
Rachel Gundersen
Salem State
Social Work
Past Interns
Interns 2020 to 2021
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Delaney Payne
Boston University
Social Work
Briana Fortado
Salem State
Social Work
Interns 2020 (Summer)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Nelsi Maya
Salem State
Social Work
Richard Stewart
Salem State
Social Work
Interns 2018 to 2019 (Fall to Spring)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Irek Kaczmarczyk
Master's Candidate: Salem State, Master of Social Work (MSW) II
Social Work
Michael Sawyer
Master's Candidate: Salem State, MSW I
Social Work
Katie Koelewyn
Master's Candidate: Salem State, MSW I
Social Work
Paulina Brunell
Master's Candidate: William James, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Mental Health
Molyda Chum
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Social Work
Nicholas Burke
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State, BSW
Social Work
Susan Dysart
Associate's Candidate: Northern Essex Community College (NECC)
Human Services
Priscilla Owusu-Appiah
Bachelor's Candidate: University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), Nutrition
Public Health
Intern 2018 (Summer)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Christopher George
Volunteer MSW II: Salem State
Social Work
Stephen Wentzell
Volunteer MSW II: Salem State
Social Work
Interns 2017 to 2018 (Fall to Spring)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Christopher George
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Stephen Wentzell
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Cydney Branch
Master's Candidate: William James
LMHC
Jessica Mack
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Gregory Gallagher
Bachelor's Candidate: UML
Health Admin
Jaime Bennett
Bachelor's Candidate: UML
Health Admin
James Jackson
Associate Candidate: NECC
Human Services
Intern 2017 (Summer)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Patrick Maher
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Interns 2016 to 2017 (Fall to Spring)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Joseph Leblanc
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Nicole Lippens
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Stephanie Kay
Master's Candidate: Simmons
Social Work
Bruce Augustonovich
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Robyn Vaillancourt
Bachelor's Candidate: UML
Health and Human Services
Eileen Page
Associate Candidate: NECC
Human Services
Jessica Mack
Volunteer Intern: Salem State
Social Work
Interns 2015 to 2016 (Fall to Spring)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Sophia Brockenbrough
Master's Candidate: Boston University
Social Work
Courtney Hutchinson
Master's Candidate: Boston University
Social Work
Julie Cluett
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Michael Mayo
Master's Candidate: Simmons
Social Work
Sarah Melanson
Master's Candidate: Simmons
Social Work
Kathryn McGrath
Master's Candidate: Simmons
Social Work
Jeff Lyons
Master's Candidate: Simmons
Social Work
Mary Pratt Corcoran
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Joseph LeBlanc
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Kasey Shaw
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Barbara Conrad
Associate Candidate: NECC
Human Services
Interns 2015 (Summer)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Bianca Streep
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Sarah Podsen
Volunteer Intern
Social Work
Interns 2014 to 2015 (Fall to Spring)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Abby Stephenson
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Amy Smith
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Jenny Lougee
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Brenda Curry
Associate's Candidate: NECC
Human Services
Tori Hartman
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Intern 2014 (Summer)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Alli Foti
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Interns 2013 to 2014 (Fall to Spring)
Intern Name
Degree: School
Focus
Asher Bruskin
Master's Candidate: Simons College
Social Work
Beth Knets
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Beth Wright
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Emmalina Rodriguez
Bachelor's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Lisa Prendergast
Master's Candidate: Salem State
Social Work
Mikayla Higgins
Bachelor's Candidate: University of Massachusetts Lowell