Meet Rachel Bleecker LMSW, Director for Residential Services at LSSNY. 

During the coronavirus pandemic, she works in the office two to three days a week. Though she could complete the majority of her work from home, she chooses instead to set an example for her team.

“What kind of a leader would I be if I said, ‘Hey, you guys go in and I’ll be safe in my home?’ she asks. “I want to show them we’re in this together.”

Meet Angela Wright-Holder, a high-risk and geriatric case manager for LSSNY’s supportive housing program. All of the residents she works with have mental health issues. Most of them battle substance abuse. Some have preexisting medical conditions. Though Angela understands how vulnerable this population is, it still came as a shock when a senior in her care recently passed away. An employee assistance program helped her cope with her grief.

Meet Estephanie Betances, LSSNY’s Director of HR. During this crisis, she is navigating these waters, educating staff members on their rights concerning health care, sick leave, and personal leave during this pandemic. She also works with leadership to notify staff and program participants if a staff person tests positive. She holds video calls with her team once a day, knowing it’s important to check in and maintain some level of normalcy. Her approach is to be fair and flexible and to keep workers engaged with professional development webinars.

Meet Ashraf Ibrahim, LSSNY’s Director of Procurement. Typically, he purchases almost everything for our agency, including supplies, equipment, and clothing for the children in our care. These days, he is also in charge of locating personal protective equipment, cleaning materials, and other items necessary to address the coronavirus pandemic. We need these highly sought-after products for our maintenance, custodial, and janitorial staff and for our clients, such as the children in the Early LIFE program, unaccompanied minors, and residents of our supportive housing.

Meet Herbert Thompson, LSSNY’s Director of Facilities. Herbert and his team have been responsible for cleaning and sanitizing our Early LIFE centers, The New LIFE School, and Safe Haven program.