News  Dorchester Probation's Dee's Closet—named in honor of former Chief Probation Officer Deirdre Kennedy— hosted 3rd Annual "Holiday Table" for court-users

The closet is posthumously named in honor of former Dorchester Chief Probation Officer Deirdre "Dee" Kennedy who left a legacy of helping domestic violence victims and those involved with human trafficking.

The Holiday Table featured warm clothing—socks, gloves, hats, and scarves-- infant clothing, diapers, toiletries and hygiene products, children's books, and toys.

"We had all of the things people need; but, might be struggling and unable to afford. We distributed the items until they ran out,” said Brad McNichols, BMC-Dorchester Chief Probation Officer.

The closet is an initiative of the Dee Kennedy Project (DKP) which provides "court accompaniment, crisis intervention, harm reduction, transportation to appointments, access to treatment programs for addiction and mental health supports, including supports and connections around housing search, food access, clothing access and hygiene product access through Dee's Closet in Dorchester Court, employment, peer support groups, and more," according to the program's description.

"This program is possible because of the support and guidance of our Presiding Justice Jonathan Tynes and Associate Justice Lisa A. Grant," Chief McNichols said.

Ms. Kennedy left quite a legacy when she passed away in March of 2019. She served on the Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative at Dorchester Court and managed the Domestic Violence Court in Dorchester from 2000-2005. She took a leave of absence from the court to lend her expertise in domestic violence at the Family Justice Center of Boston, a collaborative effort of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, City of Boston, and 19 on-site criminal justice state and community-based partner organizations, including the Boston Police and Dorchester Court.