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This year for Women’s History Month 2025, the Coalition for the Homeless is excited to highlight some of our program leaders, and recognize the contributions of these remarkable individuals who help drive our mission forward each day. Women at the Coalition are creating lasting change in the lives of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. In this blog, we learn about six of the women heading our programs, who kindly agreed to share their personal journeys, insights, and the passion that fuels their work.
Q: Tell us about your program.
A: The Crisis Intervention Program is committed to providing assistance to families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness, are unsheltered, or are at risk of losing their homes. Recognizing that many individuals encounter mistreatment and a lack of support during these difficult times, our program aims to offer a safe and supportive environment. Staffed by dedicated professionals, the program focuses on addressing the specific needs of each client with compassion and expertise. We emphasize a collaborative relationship, whereby clients are informed of their rights and provided with essential resources. This approach empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and navigate their challenges effectively, ultimately fostering a sense of hope and resilience within the community.
Q: What inspired you to work in homeless advocacy and services, and what keeps you motivated in this challenging work?
A: My inspiration to work in homeless advocacy and services comes from the incredible individuals I have the privilege of meeting and assisting in their journey. I sincerely believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and have access to essential resources such as housing, healthcare, and support systems. It is profoundly moving to assist someone during their most challenging moments and to witness their determination as they take steps toward their goals. I recognize that it requires immense courage for those who have faced adversity and mistreatment to reach out for help and place their trust in us. Each person’s journey is unique, and I am honored to be a part of their path toward hope and recovery.
Q: What has been your most meaningful experience working at the Coalition, and how has it shaped your approach to leadership?
A: My most meaningful experience has been collaborating with colleagues who possess a compassionate mindset and are committed to assisting vulnerable populations. Over the past four years, I have gained invaluable insights from each colleague with whom I have had the privilege to work. The Coalition not only dedicates itself to the communities we serve, but also fosters an environment for staff to engage in open discussions regarding the challenges our clients encounter, particularly in the current political climate. We are continuously learning and developing innovative strategies to engage and support our clients effectively. My approach to leadership has been significantly influenced by the constructive and transparent manner in which senior management communicates, consistently seeking to enhance support for staff and promote inclusivity.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception you encounter about homelessness in your work, and how do you address it?
A: I often meet individuals who, for various reasons—many rooted in social injustice—arrive with feelings of urgency or the belief that they need to explain themselves or prove their worthiness of assistance. It’s heartbreaking to recognize that these feelings often arise from past mistreatment and abuse by the very systems they turn to for help. When I first meet someone, I make it a priority to assure them that there’s no need to justify their experiences to me. I create a safe space where they can share their needs at their own pace, and together, we can develop a plan that makes them feel valued, involved, and in control of their situation. It’s so important for clients to hear that their feelings are valid, and that they possess choices and rights no matter where they are on their journey.
Q: Tell us about your program.
A: Bound for Success is a year-round program for school-aged children who reside in shelters. During the school year, we provide after-school services with a focus on tutoring and homework assistance. For 7 weeks during the summer, we offer hands-on activities based on the weekly theme that include field trips. We also provide light breakfast and lunch. We work on social skills and team building.
Q: What inspired you to work in homeless advocacy and services, and what keeps you motivated in this challenging work?
A: I’ve previously been in positions where I’ve had to separate children from their parents who were struggling to provide basic needs. At the Coalition, I am able to support children and their families in a more positive way while they navigate a difficult time in their lives. I like being on this side of the fence.
I am motivated by seeing the positive impact that BFS makes in the children’s lives. They make friends, bond with staff, improve academically and are truly happy to be with us everyday. We provide a safe place for them to come and just have fun. I continue to stay motivated by the gratitude that parents express when they are finally moving into permanent housing and can’t thank us enough.
Q: What has been your most meaningful experience working at the Coalition, and how has it shaped your approach to leadership?
A: One of the most meaningful experiences has been when a former BFS participant reached out seeking to volunteer in BFS. He spoke about how BFS helped him during the 3+ years that he lived in shelter and now as a High School senior, he wanted to do the same for other children. This young man went on to work for the Coalition in our CHB program. This experience made me realize that nothing we do is too small to leave a lasting impression. Everything we do for the children we serve will create memories that they will take with them when they leave the shelter. It could very well be the only thing they want to remember about this time in their lives.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception you encounter about homelessness in your work, and how do you address it?
A: I would say that the biggest misconception that I encounter is that families “want” to be in shelter. I see first hand what life is like in the shelter and no one wants to be there. I address this by sharing the experiences that our families have in shelter; the lack of support and resources available and how they navigate the system to get back on their feet. Most importantly, I share the wonderful things that BFS is able to do for them despite their current circumstances.
Q: Tell us about your program.
A: The Coalition for the Homeless’ Scattered Site Housing Program provides supportive housing to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Our goal is to revitalize the lives of our clients through the provision of permanent housing in local NYC communities and on-going services that support their self-sufficiency, stability, and overall well-being, while playing a crucial role in advocating for social justice and addressing various social issues.
Each person is assigned a case manager who will visit with them in their home, spending time interacting with each client, conducting assessments, assisting with medication management, entitlements, referrals to community resources, supportive counseling, escorts to medical and outpatient substance use appointments, and advocating for clients’ needs.
As per many of our clients, they see us more often than their own families, some may not have family in their lives, and we have become their family. We also have clients that have been with us for many years, and have chosen to remain with us because of the never ending support and non-judgement that they receive from us.
Q: What inspired you to work in homeless advocacy and services, and what keeps you motivated in this challenging work?
A: Since I was a child, I have always known that my calling is to help people. I was that child who would be at a medical appointment with my parents, translating for those who did not speak English.
Although this field is demanding and often stressful and challenging, being able to help our clients continues to motivate me, and yes, not every case is successful, but if I can say that I tried my best, then we are already one step ahead. I believe that the work that we do is critically important in order to ensure that every person has access to basic human necessities, such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
My work has allowed me to have a direct, positive impact on the lives of those who are most in need, and contributing to a world where everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to keep it.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception you encounter about homelessness in your work, and how do you address it?
A: I believe that the biggest misconception about homelessness is that people choose to be homeless, and that they’re homeless due to laziness. I’ve learned how easily someone can become homeless due to a mix of factors, including lack of affordable housing, economic hardship, mental health issues, substance use, domestic violence, and lack of social support. All affecting the individual and having a huge impact on the family.
Q: Tell us about your program.
A: The Keys Program provides intensive case management to single homeless adults living with severe and persistent mental illnesses in need of supportive housing. We assist clients in first completing the supportive housing application and then applying to housing programs, with the ultimate goal of moving clients into safe and stable housing. We also provide support advocacy to help clients reach their housing goals by assisting with things like benefits, accessing medical and psychiatric care, and other social service supports, as needed.
Q: What inspired you to work in homeless advocacy and services, and what keeps you motivated in this challenging work?
A: I first encountered urban street homelessness as a high school student, traveling to Los Angeles with my church youth group for a summer youth conference. I had seen people panhandling before in my hometown but never encountered the extent of street homelessness as seen in Skid Row. I asked my youth pastor how people became homeless. He said that “some people just fall through the cracks.” I responded, “that’s bulls*t”, and started volunteering with food pantries and my town’s lone homeless shelter. I feel drawn to directly working with clients through case management because I enjoy making people who feel dismissed or ignored feel seen. There’s something so important about not only acknowledging the humanity of my clients but also helping them access things that they may have thought were out of reach, whether that’s as major as an apartment or something as seemingly small as a pair of sneakers in their correct size or helping them get through twenty minutes of wait music in order to make a long needed doctor’s appointment. No one is falling through any cracks on my watch.
Q: What has been your most meaningful experience working at the Coalition, and how has it shaped your approach to leadership?
A: It means so much when I get a call from someone who was given my phone number by a current or former housing client. “XYZ said you could help me”; “I heard you get people out”; “You helped my friend get his place.” It’s an incredible act of faith and trust when clients not only trust you to help them, but to also help their friends and roommates in shelter or on the street. Every client’s experience is different, both in terms of what history they come in the door with, and also their journey to housing. As a leader, I remind myself no single approach will work every time, so it’s important to consider different approaches, and if a member of my team has an idea on how to best meet a client’s needs, I always take it into consideration.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception you encounter about homelessness in your work, and how do you address it?
A: That homeless people are inherently dangerous. I’m frequently asked if I ever feel unsafe around clients, and I always reply that studies show people with serious mental health issues are more likely to be victims of harm than perpetrators. My clients are funny, tough, insightful, creative, and hardworking people despite untold setbacks and limitations in their lives. To belittle or mistrust them for their housing or economic situation is a disservice in my opinion.
Q: Tell us about your program.
A: Camp Homeward Bound (CHB) was the first residential camp program created to serve homeless children who are living in shelters. In this safe and supportive and fun environment our campers get a respite from shelter life. Our traditional camp programs are intentionally designed to help enhance self esteem, build confidence, and include valuable life skills to help campers navigate through life. The activities we offer include: swimming, sports, kayaking, arts & crafts, outdoor adventure, yoga, cooking/nutrition, archery, dance, outdoor education, biking, journaling, photography, and fitness.
Q: What inspired you to work in homeless advocacy and services, and what keeps you motivated in this challenging work?
A: I’ve spent most of my 55 years in camping working with children and teens from underserved communities in NYC. This included weekend camp programs for families living in homeless shelters which had such a positive impact on those families.
I became aware of Camp Homeward Bound and its mission through the American Camp Association. When the CHB camp director position became available I jumped at the opportunity to work full time with children living in shelters. Working with the Coalition and our campers and families has been the most fulfilling work of my career. I’m motivated every day by our campers and their resilience. They inspire me to want to continue to learn and improve my skills so I can better serve them.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception you encounter about homelessness in your work, and how do you address it?
A: Many have the misconception that homeless children don’t do well in school, have serious behavior issues, and that they are hopeless. The truth is that our campers are some of the most intelligent , talented, and resilient children I’ve had the honor to work with. They have big dreams and the courage to strive to make those dreams a reality.
Q: Tell us about your program.
A: Our Emergency Good Distribution Program, in addition to providing comprehensive direct services, works to meet the immediate needs of people who are struggling just to get by and may not have the resources to purchase basic necessities for themselves and their families.
Q: What inspired you to work in homeless advocacy and services, and what keeps you motivated in this challenging work?
A: I was inspired to work in homeless services after seeing so many individuals without food living on the streets. I have a deep compassion for helping others, and I knew I wanted to be part of this great organization. That’s why I focus on seeking in-kind donations to provide care packages with essentials like food, hygiene items, and other necessities. These small gestures can make a difference in someone’s life, and that keeps me motivated every day and if I can make this happen every day then I am happy.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception you encounter about homelessness in your work, and how do you address it?
A: One of the biggest misconceptions is that homelessness is a result of bad choices or a lack of effort. Homelessness is often caused by issues like lack of affordable housing and low wages. People we serve have experienced job loss, medical crises, or domestic violence, circumstances beyond their control. I address this misconception by informing people that homelessness can happen to anyone. I take time to educate volunteers, donors, and community members of the importance of their contributions to our organization.