Building Bridges: How Sean Thimas is Shaping a More Connected Boston

Posted: May 01 @ 12:00PM

“My mission has always been to empower and uplift the youth in our community through education and support.”

A lifelong Bostonian and devoted father of two, Sean Thimas has spent his career rooted in one powerful belief: community is everything, particularly in the diverse city of Boston. With a wealth of experience in public service and education, and currently serving the City of Boston, he has committed his career to working tirelessly for the betterment of others. With a deep passion for equity, mental health, and lifelong learning, Sean has dedicated himself to creating a more inclusive and connected city—one relationship, one initiative, and one story at a time.

For more than a decade, Sean worked with the Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) as a Junior Counselor at the Keylatch Summer Program, an affordable, enriching summer camp in Boston’s South End. His passion for youth development led him to Boston Public Schools, where he joined a guidance counseling team focused on supporting elementary students.  It was here that Sean began to truly understand the vital role mental health plays in a child’s well-being and academic success. This insight has since guided his approach to community service, underscoring the belief that mental health is just as crucial as physical health in helping students reach their full potential.

In 2017, Sean joined the City of Boston as Program Manager for the ReadBoston program, a citywide initiative promoting early childhood literacy. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean launched an evening Instagram Live storytime series. It was after one of these storytimes that Sean was approached by a member of Vital Village Networks with a powerful idea: what if there was a storytime program that centered around mental health? This idea blossomed into the My ‘Self’ in the World Children’s Mental Health Storytimes, an ongoing series that now includes weekly sessions with librarians from the Boston Public Library and a YouTube playlist featuring past recordings. The impact was immediate and deeply felt.

The partnership with Vital Village didn’t stop there. Sean began attending their Mental Health Committee meetings, finding a unique space for reflection and healing. Sean came to view these meetings as a sort of therapy, looking at how to take care of oneself alongside caring for those that you serve. This connection led him to bring that same mindfulness and intentionality into his work with the city.

Today, Sean serves as the Cabinet Outreach Manager for the Worker Empowerment department within the City of Boston where he supports residents in navigating complex challenges- from finding job opportunities to financial literacy support. He also leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, where he applies the inclusive and mindful approaches he learned through Vital Village. His efforts include creating intentional spaces for feedback, emotional check-ins, and honest conversations about wellness and equity in the workplace.

Over time, Sean has developed a passion for bridging generational gaps. He’s noticed how often people, particularly those across ages and backgrounds, live and operate in silos.  He raises the question that many don’t think to ask- why? Generations have so much to learn from one another, and to grow and move forward as a community, it is important to bring people together. This philosophy drives his work today, collaborating across departments that serve young learners, adult and immigrant workers, and multigenerational communities. He enjoys connecting people to programs, but also people to people.

In December 2024, Sean was honored with the Vital Village Network’s Unsung Hero Award for his outstanding leadership as an advocate in the service of children and communities. His involvement in things like the Mental Health Storytimes and Mental Health Committee programs has made him a well-known figure within the network, where he hopes “to inspire others while creating a safe space for all to learn the importance of mental health.”

When reflecting on his journey, Sean advises aspiring community leaders to "never believe that it’s too late to get started." He encourages others to engage in discussion groups, attend community events, and follow the path that unfolds through such involvement. Whether joining an organization, volunteering, or simply growing within a community, Sean believes that every action contributes to making a meaningful difference. He is helping to build a city where everyone belongs and every voice matters.

To connect with Sean, you can email him at: sean.thimas@boston.gov and visit the Worker Empowerment Cabinet website at https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/worker-empowerment