Faces of New Bedford

Meet Dr. Reverend Kenn Bongiorno, 51-year-old Pastor and Professor. Kenn didn’t grow up in a spiritual home or one that attended church. At 19-years old he spent three weeks with his grandfather in the hospital during his grandfather’s last days alive. With a lot of emotions running through him, he …

Meet Erin Poyant, 32-year-old Yoga Instructor and Intensive Care Coordinator. Her entire life, Erin has been drawn to working with kids and being involved in physical activities. Her first job was lifeguarding at Cathedral Camp, teaching swimming lessons, which is where she fell in love with teaching. These different facets …

Meet A.J. Tavares, a 30-year-old teacher, basketball coach, and owner of A1 Skills, Development and Training. A.J. started playing basketball at a very young age, falling in love with sports at the Boys and Girls Club. He played sports throughout school, playing varsity football, basketball, and baseball his senior year. …

Meet Jon Mitchell, 48-year-old mayor of New Bedford. The city of New Bedford is dear to Jon, as he grew up in a fishing family. After graduating from high school, he attended Harvard University, which he paid for with financial aid and working summers when he was back home. Jon …

Meet Hugh Dunn, 31-year-old Director of Economic Development and City councilor. Hugh, born in Worcester MA, is 4th generation Irish with ancestry rooted in the whaling industry in Ireland. Prior to pursuing a degree in Political Science, Hugh worked at a freezer warehouse that caused him to become ill and …

Meet Caitlyn Fontes, 30-year-old co-owner of Two Sisters and author. Caitlyn has worked in the food industry for the majority of her adult life and throughout a good portion of her teenage years. She got her start in restaurants, waitressing at a small breakfast place in Fairhaven. With the recent …

Meet Jordan Paiva, 25-year-old singer and DJ. Growing up, Jordan was always interested in music and sang in several school organizations. During trips with his parents, he was fascinated by the way the entertainers were able to get the crowd involved and it was then that he realized what he …

Meet Adrian Carvalho, 47-year-old Soccer Coach and Philanthropist. Adrian, growing up in New Bedford, began playing soccer at the age of six, soon taking the position as goalkeeper. He was involved in many leagues but notes the push he received from one of his coaches, Carlos Valente, that lead him …