SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network (BHN) has promoted Chelan Brown, formerly social justice director, to be vice president of social justice, a newly created position that will oversee social justice efforts.
Brown joined BHN in September 2020 when the organization created the social justice director role, according to a BHN press release. In her previous role, she worked collaboratively with staff and leadership to amplify the work toward racial and social equity within BHN and in the community at large. Through this work, the release states, it became clear to executive leadership that the scope of BHN’s social justice efforts require leadership at the senior level.
“We have grown so much as an organization over the past year and a half, and realize how much more we need to accomplish in pursuit of our vision of BHN as a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization,” CEO Steve Winn said in the release. “We are so grateful for Chelan’s leadership and are thrilled to have her accept the promotion to vice president.”
“I am thrilled to accept the newly created vice president of social justice role at BHN,” Brown said in the release. “In my short time at BHN, I have witnessed the high level of commitment from the board of directors, executive leadership team and staff to move us toward becoming a socially just organization that is committed to diversity, equity and justice for those we serve. I hope to build upon the great, innovative work the organization has done and look forward to continued work both internally and externally with community partners to reach our social justice goals.”
Brown has extensive experience in social justice work, both in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She previously worked at MGM Springfield as construction diversity manager, where she ensured the hiring of a diverse workforce and that women-, minority- and veteran-owned companies were actively engaged and included in all bid opportunities for the casino’s construction.
According to the release, Brown’s experience in the nonprofit sector includes serving as manager of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ Network Capacity Building department and as community engagement coordinator, where she coordinated the development of the Springfield Food Access Project. She was also a member of the food bank’s Management, Advocacy and Diversity Team.
Headquartered in Springfield, BHN has been providing behavioral health services to children and families throughout Western Massachusetts since 1938. It includes the Northern Hope Center and Franklin Recovery Center on Federal Street on the former Lunt Silversmiths property in Greenfield.
ORANGE — The House of Wax car wash at 31 New Athol Road, founded by the Meausky family of Royalston in 1985, recently added a touch-free automatic car wash.
The remodeled car wash is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers underbody wash, hot wax and ceramic coating, according to a House of Wax press release. The new system features an open-bay concept.
The business also offers used vehicles for sale, and interior and exterior vehicle detailing services using commercial-grade equipment and products. The detail shop is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.