A Partner In Abuse Prevention
Whether she believes it or not, Kate Antonucci is a teacher. As much as she thought she left that career path behind, she can’t escape the role of leading youth in the community.
Antonucci, 30, is newly appointed program manager of school and community programs at The Governor’s Prevention Partnership in Hartford. The substance abuse issues that the partnership addresses have been her focus for several years.
“I was drawn to this field to give back to kids in different ways,” Antonucci said. “I saw myself in a less formal setting than a classroom, working with kids one-on-one.”
She grew up in Guilford, graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, graduated from Providence College in 2000 and then Virginia Commonwealth University with a master’s degree in social work in 2002.
Antonucci saw community-based work as her calling. She tracked legislation and planned community events while working with kids at an agency during an internship.
An opening at the Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council in Middletown brought her back to Connecticut. She started out as youth coordinator and later became executive director of the council. That position brought her into contact with regional and state task forces on substance abuse action as well as giving her the task of managing grants and budgets.
“I enjoyed it there for a good five years but was ready for a different challenge, ready for work in a bigger community,” Antonucci said.
That wish came true with her new position as she covers multiple community coalitions in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterford, Branford and Newtown.
“My job is to help the coalitions put their prevention plans into place once they have assessed their community’s needs for long-term change,” Antonucci said. “I act almost as a prevention consultant to bring in research and strategy, guiding them through the process.”
Along with her full-time work, she is involved in North End Action Team, a neighborhood organization in Middletown and the Middletown Youth Service Bureau.
“It still allows me to be in the loop with the kids in my own community…I have a lot of challenges to keep me busy,” she said.
Emily Boisvert is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.
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