Steering Committee
Martin Colavito
Chair
Martin Colavito is currently the Community Cupboard Program Manager of Cornell Cooperative Extension and has been a Human Servant for over 40 years, learning early on that “You cannot keep what you have unless you give it away”.
Over the course of his career, Martin has been blessed by the people he has served, and honored to work alongside others who dedicate their efforts to address the needs of those who are most helpless.
Colavito focuses predominantly on community organization, with an emphasis on substance abuse treatment and prevention – especially in under-resourced neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Newburgh. Martin concentrated his efforts on addressing the collaborative issues that are manifested by the problems that effect those in need.
Currently Martin continues his efforts in Sullivan County. He is humbled by being part of SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together), a grassroots organization designed to compassionately navigate those in need to appropriate human services.
Martin considers his career to be one based on having enough luck to be touched by the people he serves and inspired by those who allow him to work side by side with.
Dawn Wilkin
Dawn Wilkin is a Community Organizer with twenty years experience working in Newburgh, Dutchess County, Port Jervis, Ellenville and Sullivan County with a focus on substance use prevention. Having experienced her own substance use issues at a young age, she wanted to give back hope to those struggling with addiction. She is a policy level change expert leading teams that passed City of Newburgh Tobacco Legislation and continually works on substance use prevention to protect individuals and promote a healthy community. Recently she consulted and teamed up to develop a substance use support app called Peer Rx, with Competitive Solutions, Inc. and the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, engaging technology to address current substance use concerns such as finding immediate peer connections when someone is in crisis.
Melissa Stickle
Melissa Stickle is the Director of Sullivan County Community Services. In this role, Melissa coordinates and manages a team providing behavioral health services in all aspects of mental health, substance abuse/dependence and care coordination at both the County and State level.
Melissa is a qualified Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor.
Melissa has more than 27 years of experience in the Behavioral Health Field. Prior to starting her position as Director of Community Services, Melissa spent 19 years as a community liaison and therapist for and within Sullivan County.
Melissa is passionate about the Community and its possibilities; Melissa provides and oversees services that help those in need of behavioral health services or linkages to other services and is a member of the SALT Steering Committee.
To contact Melissa please email: Melissa.Stickle@sullivanny.us or call 845-513-2077.
Thomas Bosket
Thomas Bosket was awarded his MFA from Yale University in 1995 and is regarded by the New York Times as one of the world’s leading color theory experts. He has pursued drawing, as a human behavior rather than a product, and explored how it plays a dominant role in supporting creative learning environments such as his recent venture ENGN – connecting civics, art and life.
He is currently SALT’s Drug Free Communities Grant Project Manager.
Heidi Reimer
Heidi Reimer is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Master Counselor. She has been employed by the County of Sullivan in the Department of Community Services since 2010. Her current role within the Department is the Local Government Unit Coordinator. This role involves oversight of local mental hygiene systems of care and the development, implementation, and planning of services for adults and children with mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or developmental disabilities. She is also the Director of the Sullivan County Impaired Driver Program. Heidi is actively involved in her community, serving on the Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT) Steering Committee, SALT Public Relations Committee, and several other Boards. As Chairperson, Heidi played an integral role in the development of United Sullivan, which is a No Wrong Door initiative designed to improve co-occurring capability across all systems. It is a collaboration of organizations devoted to transforming our community by encouraging a culture of acceptance for all individuals through supporting and treating persons with humanity, dignity and respect.
Lori Orestano-James
Lori has over 37 years in the field of education as a teacher, building administrator and district administrator and, Board of Education member and President. Retired recently from Wappingers Central School District, she served as the District Coordinator for Performing & Fine Arts and LOTE. Lori serves as the State Advocacy Chair for NYS School Music Association (NYSSMA). She is the current State President for New York State Alliance for Arts Education (NYSAAE). Mrs. Orestano-James is the NYS Council of Education Associations (NYSCEA) Past State Secretary and current State President-Elect. She is proud to represent NYS as a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Advocacy Leadership Force (ALF). She is the Past President for NYS Council of Administrators for Music Education (NYSCAME). Lori is a member of NYS Theatre Educators Association; and a member of the NYSED Blue-Ribbon Commission Executive Committee for Graduation Alternatives through Arts Pathways. In addition, Lori served on the NYSED ESSA Think Tank. Lori continues to serve as a Legislative Liaison for the NYS School Boards Association where she also is an adjunct, presenting School Board/Superintendent Trainings, Budget Development Assistance, and Human Resource Development for school districts across NYS. She is a Founding Member of Nesin Cultural Arts (NCA) where she is also on Faculty teaching voice, strings and theatre lessons and courses. Lori served on the NYSED Reopening Schools Task Force. Lori co-chaired the Sullivan County COVID Task Force and continues to help those in need with COVID Information. In addition, Lori continues her work as a member of the Monticello Central School District Audit Committee and the Hall of Distinction Committee Chair.
Lori is proud of her work at member of Rotary International. She is currently the President-Elect, and has served as President of the Monticello Rotary Club, its Treasurer, past MontiGram Editor and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors, Food Drive Chair, Comfort Closet Chair, Blood Drive Chair, Public Relations and Social Media Chair, a member of the Tasty Sullivan Rotary Fundraiser, Monster Run, Centennial Gala, and Scholarship Committees.
Lori is a member of the Steering Committee for S.A.L.T (Sullivan Allies Leading Together). In addition, Lori is a strong supporter and has personally raised over $30,000 for Ride 2 Survive Sullivan County through her Birthday and Re-birthday Fundraisers.
Lori prides herself on being the longest serving volunteer for the 98.3 WSUL Heart-a-thon (45 years), were she is an active members of the Heart-a-thon Board of Directors, and has just started her service in year #46.
Lori is active in her faith, serving on the Board of Directors (and its Secretary) of Landfield Avenue Synagogue were she works on the Cemetery Committee, Transition Committee, Program Committee, and Social Committee.
As a proud graduate of Ithaca College, she is delighted to be Supervisor of Student Teaching ensuring quality music educators for our future. Lori prides herself on being an active music and theatre artist, and teacher and advocate of the Arts in her retirement years.
Lori likes to say, “I am failing at retirement.” Her husband, Bill James would agree. Everyone else is glad she is failing as she continues her passion of “Service Above Self.”
Scott Curry
Scott Curry is the DRC (Disability resource coordinator) for the County of Sullivan, center for workforce Development. As an advocate for those with Disabilities he has first-hand experience on what challenges are presented daily. Scott has been an active member of the recovery and peer services community for over seven years. He continues to develop collaborations and partnerships with neighboring agencies to continue the fight against system change and advocacy.
Jaclyn Miller
Jaclyn Miller is the CAPP (Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention) Youth Services Program Manager for MiSN (Maternal Infant Services Network) of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Jaclyn has a Masters Degree in School Counseling and an Advanced Certification in Trauma and Disaster Mental Health. Prior to her position with MiSN, Jaclyn was a School Guidance Counselor in NY and NJ. As an advocate for youth mental, sexual, and general health, Jaclyn continues to partner with local agencies and schools to bring more education and support to the youth through programming and informational outreach.
Mid Hudson Team
Julio Fernandez, Windollyn Patino, Luis Giron
Organization-New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
Title- Drug Demand Reduction Outreach
Team Brief- The New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force provides support through skilled personnel and specialized equipment to Law Enforcement Agencies and Community Based Organizations in order to enhance their efforts to counter the drug threat. Drug Demand Reduction Outreach Civil Operators seek to improve the health and well-being of NY communities by addressing substance abuse and underage drinking through coalition development.