2010 40 Under Forty: David McMahon
Co-Executive Director, Dismas House
Company location: Worcester
Residence: Westborough
Age: 35
Career highlights: For almost 13 years I have been the co-executive director of Dismas House. During that time, I have been busy trying to harness the energy and creativity of volunteers, interns, ex-offenders and supporters to build a sustainable community environment for homeless former prisoners. This collective effort has resulted in some innovative efforts at prisoner reentry including the Father Brooks House and the new Dismas Family Farm, where residents become involved in the production and livelihood of their own farm. I have been lucky to have as a co-director my wife, Colleen Hilferty. In many ways, we are the “mom and pop” social service agency in Worcester.
Community involvement: There are limitless ways in which folks can become involved in bettering the community. It is my belief that as a social service provider, we have a responsibility to become engaged with surrounding neighborhoods and to think beyond our four walls. My efforts in this direction include serving on the board of the Oak Hill Community Development Corp., working to restore Banis Park and serving as a steering committee member of the Home Again Initiative.
Biggest success: The Dismas Family Farm, a working wool, vegetable, and egg farm where former offenders live and heal, has been both a challenge and a great addition to our programs at Dismas. Connecting with the people of Oakham, and trying to work with a team dedicated to make the farm both profitable and successful for our residents has been rewarding.
Hidden talents: I toured the Midwest with two bands, played the French horn, and was the best 17-year-old Captain Von Trapp to grace the stage in a high school production of “The Sounds of Music.” You should have heard my “Edelweiss.” It brought the audience to tears.
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