This is the fourth post in our fall/winter blog series, Meet the Mentor: Hastings House Edition. Each week, you’ll meet a different mentor from Hastings House, EMPath’s largest family shelter and longest-running program. You can meet previous weeks’ featured mentors here, here, and here.

Norma has worked at Hastings House for three and a half years, moving from a Per Diem Housing Mentor to her current role as the program’s Deputy Director of Residential and Program Mentoring Services, which she took on in October. She discusses programming at Hastings and what she’s learned working at EMPath.

What do you do in your role at EMPath?

I do a little bit of everything. I oversee the Housing Mentors and their supervisors. I assist with hiring, implementing training and programming for staff, organizing all workshops for participants, and supporting the program’s day-to-day functioning. I serve as a liaison for Boston Healthcare for the Homeless and oversee external partnership development. I assist [Hastings House’s Director of Residential and Program Mentoring] Amanda with everything that she needs – it’s a collaboration.

I started as a Per Diem Housing Mentor, then came on full-time. Then I transitioned to a Hybrid Housing Mentor, where you’re half on the floor and then you have a small caseload as a Program Mentor. Then I became a full-time Program Mentor. So pretty much every year, I had a different position here. Then I became the Coordinator for Family Programming and Residential Services.

What types of trainings do you have for staff at Hastings?

In this new role, I coordinate all residential staff trainings such as CPR and first aid trainings and trainings around boundaries, de-escalation, and team-building.

What types of workshops and programs do you have for participants?

We have a lot! Before COVID, we did community meetings where participants could come together and talk to each other. We had a Haitian community meeting group, which I helped coordinate because I am Haitian American. We did housing application night, arts and crafts activities. We would also bring in outside partners, like Cooking Matters, which teaches our participants about nutrition and how to eat healthily. We had volunteers come from the PALs program at Horizons for Homeless Children, who come and watch participants’ kids for an hour and a half so the moms can have a break. Boston Healthcare for the Homeless staff run several classes, on things like parenting and post-partum.

This summer, we did programming outside – paint night, gardening, creating slime, paint your baby’s onesie, which was super cute. Now that winter has hit, we’re trying to figure out how to be creative and safe during the pandemic. Many participants love doing arts and crafts with their kids.

Now that you and Amanda are in these co-leadership roles, how do your jobs differ?

Amanda’s more focused on Mobility Mentoring® [EMPath’s economic coaching approach] with the Program Mentors and oversees the whole program. She works closely with EMPath’s senior management to support Program Mentors with coaching skills and implementing new initiatives. I focus on managing the residential staff at Hastings and developing family programming. We both collaborate on the work and support one another in our roles.

My work in this new role will focus on integrating guided mentorship for Housing Mentors to use their many talents and creating opportunities for them to learn, grow, develop skills, and have career opportunities. The direct service staff focuses more on the day-to-day functioning of the program. My goal is to have Housing Mentors work alongside Program Mentors to support participants’ goals related to securing permanent housing, employment, education, financial security, family stability, and individual well-being.

How did you first find your way to EMPath?

It was a referral from my best friend and sister, Natalie Jean. I had just started grad school, and I wanted to gain experience in human services. I started as a per diem staff member. The structure at EMPath is not what I envisioned for a shelter – I thought it would be more bunk bed-style. I had no idea that congregate shelters as this existed for families until I started working here.

What were you in grad school for?

Social work. I did a career change. I got my bachelor’s in Business Administration, and I wanted to go into human resources, but I realized it was not for me. So I switched gears and applied to Simmons University for social work after talking to many different people in the field.

Do you have a moment or an experience that you think exemplifies EMPath or Hastings’ work?

The best moments for me are seeing our participants overcome adversity by gaining hope and confidence again and believing that this shelter is not their last stop. I always tell our participants that “you’re just transitioning here;” it is not permanent. I enjoy being a part of every milestone our participants experience here and seeing the excitement in their faces when they accomplish goals. This exemplifies the work we’re doing at EMPath.

If you were Mayor of Boston, Governor of Massachusetts, a MA state legislator, or in another position of power, what is one thing you would do to improve people’s lives who are living in poverty and why?

Unfortunately, we live in a society where everything boils down to money. About a year and a half ago [in MA], they implemented PFML [Paid Family and Medical Leave], where a small amount of money automatically comes out of our paychecks to help those with health or family needs. If I were mayor, I would create a fund like that just for homeless individuals. It could come out of our paychecks every pay period. We need to fund programs and help people get into housing faster. Unfortunately, you can’t move forward if you don’t have money. You can’t pay your rent, you can’t get food, etc. I think it would be good to have a fund that was just for homeless individuals and their families.

What is one thing you wish the general public knew about experiencing poverty?

That it can happen to anyone. Before I became a social worker, coming from a business background, I didn’t have a full grasp of what causes poverty or homelessness. Working at EMPath and hearing so many different stories, I’m like, wow, it can happen to anyone at any time. Life happens. But I feel there is this misconception that it’s a person’s fault that they’re homeless, or it’s their fault that they have substance use issues. A lot of blame gets put on the individual who is in crisis. I would want people to know that, no, that’s not true. When you study and work in human services, everything makes sense.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I like dancing, listening to music, watching movies and DIY projects at home. Getting my hair done, nails done – all self-care things. I love spending time with my family and friends.

What brings you hope?

Spirituality. I believe in God. I think that everything happens for a reason. And I believe that any adversity that is put in front of you, that you can get through it. I heavily rely on my faith through everything. There is a lesson to be learned from every situation in my life. My mother also gives me hope and guidance, she is my rock and my cheerleader in everything I do.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Hastings House is a unique place. There’s never a dull moment here. You’re constantly learning something new every single day. The work that staff and participants do here is amazing! I love hearing participants’ stories and learning from them. Working at Hastings gives you the opportunity to meet some of the most incredible and resilient individuals.