When Anna E. Leslie joined the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative (ABHC) in 2014, the community faced stark challenges. A 2012 survey showed that residents were worried about dwindling resources, from food shortages to a lack of healthcare information. Many local nonprofits existed, but residents found it hard to navigate their services.
ABHC was formed in 2013 to tackle these issues and improve life in the neighborhoods. Leslie became the executive director in 2019, focusing on uniting various organizations. Fast forward to today, and both Allston and Brighton have transformed significantly.
During her time at ABHC, Leslie launched the Brighton farmers market in 2016 after locals expressed a need for fresh food. What began with just three vendors has blossomed into a vibrant market with nearly 30 participants. “Back then, it felt tiny and a bit sad,” Leslie recalled. “Now, hundreds flock there each week.”
Leslie’s upbringing influenced her passion for food access. Her father ran a food recovery nonprofit, and she researched food availability in Cambridge for her graduate thesis. The farmers’ market not only brought fresh produce but also fostered community connections, aided by bus routes that make getting there easier.
Elaine McCauley Meehan, a long-time Brighton resident and ABHC manager, praised Leslie’s ability to unite a diverse and often transient population. During the pandemic, Leslie organized regular Zoom calls for residents. This initiative provided a space for people to voice concerns and maintained a sense of community despite physical distancing. “Anna recognized the need for connection,” said Jo-Ann Barbour from Charlesview Residences. Together, they created a volunteer food delivery network that made over 2,000 deliveries during lockdowns.
“The pandemic forged a stronger bond among us,” Meehan noted. Monthly check-ins have continued post-COVID, maintaining those vital connections.
Leslie may have come from outside the community, but she immersed herself deeply. “I didn’t grow up here, but I wanted to learn from the locals and help them,” she shared. Before joining ABHC, she worked as a middle school science teacher and at Harvard School of Public Health.
Looking back, Leslie expressed surprise at her decade-long journey with ABHC, originally intending to stay for just five years. “The need was there. We secured more funding and established a robust network,” she explained.
As ABHC faces new and ongoing challenges, Leslie is confident in her team’s future. The neighborhood is set for major changes, with projects like the Harvard Enterprise Research Campus and the I-90 rail infrastructure project underway. “It’s a strong team now,” she said of her decision to step down.
Residents like Barbara Parmenter, who has actively participated in ABHC meetings, feel the impact of Leslie’s leadership. “Her legacy is connecting us in meaningful ways,” Parmenter expressed. “Now, we feel empowered to drive improvements in our community together.”
Anna Leslie’s time at ABHC has certainly left a lasting mark on Allston and Brighton, proving the power of community when nurtured by dedicated leadership.
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