By Tom Dalton
SALEM — The Salem Mission has named a neighbor to its board of directors.
Seth Doolin, a clinical psychologist who lives near the Margin Street homeless shelter, was elected at the board's July meeting.
The nonprofit organization is adding someone from the neighborhood at the suggestion of Mayor Kim Driscoll, who met with the shelter and neighbors over the Mission's controversial plan to convert the former St. Mary's Italian Church into housing for the homeless.
Doolin, 44, who moved to Salem two years ago with his wife, said he hopes to improve communication between the two groups.
"I felt that my background and training as a mental health clinician and practicing psychologist could be helpful to the Salem Mission in meeting its goal to end homelessness while respecting the history and culture of the community," he said in a statement.
Doolin holds a doctorate in psychology, has a private practice in Salem and has worked with shelters dealing with individuals with drug and alcohol problems.
The son of a former director of Catholic Charities, Doolin said his family took part in annual Thanksgiving dinners for the low-income and elderly in Boston.
"That was like a family tradition," he said.
Doolin also joked that he has a little Italian blood, which could help him fit into a traditionally Italian neighborhood.
"My father was Italian and Irish," he said. "He made me listen to the Metropolitan Opera ... every Saturday. I would retaliate with heavy metal, claiming they're both long-haired people singing depressing songs."
The Mission's 10-member board has residents from Salem, Marblehead and Lynn.
