Coastal Neighbors Network, which strives to help seniors 'age in place' in Westport and Dartmouth, has brought on two board members, Terry Cryan of Dartmouth and Tony Melli of Westport.

Melli is well-known in Westport, having spent 34 years at Westport High School where he was Guidance Director, Athletic Director, and Director of Student Activities. He began his teaching career in Brooklyn, NY, working with ninth graders. After earning a master’s degree in psychology, Tony and his wife Rosemary moved to Westport, where he lives today. Shortly after retiring in 2006, Tony and Rosemary became involved in the Slow Food Movement and were instrumental in bringing Westport and Dartmouth farmers to an international artisanal food exposition in Italy. When they are not volunteering for Coastal Neighbors, the Mellis are busy running their business, Olio di Melli, an importer of Italian specialty products.

A Dartmouth resident, Cryan brings a wealth of nonprofit management and marketing experience to Coastal Neighbors. She began her career working in public relations and fundraising for Boston-area hospitals and is familiar with healthcare issues. She has also worked as an association executive, first in partnership with her husband Peter, managing their own company, and later with the Institute for Operational Research and Management Sciences. She also taught marketing at Lesley University’s graduate program. Cryan is active in her church, sings in several choirs, and has been a Coastal Neighbor volunteer since the organization began.

“We are delighted and fortunate to add Terry Cryan and Tony Melli to our board," said Andrew Pollock, Coastal Neighbors’ executive director. "Their expertise in marketing and their passion for helping the communities we serve really enhances the impact we’re making on our neighbors’ lives. I’ve worked closely with both of them and am excited to enhance the many services we provide through their talent and energy.”

Established in 2017 in Dartmouth and run by volunteers, Coastal Neighbors provides members with a variety of services, including transportation to doctor appointments and the grocery store and help with small chores around the house. Social events, like potluck suppers and lectures, keep members connected to friends.

Coastal Neighbors is one of a rapidly growing network of Villages across the country providing one-to-one services, group events, information, vetted volunteers and preferred providers for household chores. It is a non-profit, membership-based organization with a passion and focus to enable people to “Age in Place” comfortably, actively and independently.

For more information on Coastal Neighbors Network, either for yourself or for a family member or loved one, contact Pollock at (508) 556-4004 or visit www.coastalneighborsnetwork.org.