Position: Operations Program Assistant
What led you to your current position? After graduating college in Political Science and Ethnic Studies, I was searching for work within grassroots organizations and non-profits that would allow me to help uplift impacted communities in long-lasting and holistic ways. I had heard about Seneca, but did not know much about the agency. When I found they were looking for a Program Assistant, I thought, “great! This is a good start.” When I read more into Seneca and their values, I realized I came across an Agency that really tries to support its staff in mental and financial stability, recognizes and validates social issues, and provides top quality support for their clients. Then I thought, “wow, this agency isn’t just good; this agency is amazing!” There’s a need for every one of our staff here, and we all work towards the same essential goal: providing quality services for our families with genuine honesty and humility.
Fun Quote: Be a warrior, not a worrier!
What does your average day look like? Well, I work administration, so a lot of administrative duties! Coming into work, I usually prepare room reservations for meetings throughout our program, support our school sites with ordering new supplies, manage our inventory for our schools’ therapy teams, help coordinate and plan staff events along with my amazing Program Assistant team, input expense reports, schedule various services for several of our clients, compile social media material for our Unconditional Education media platforms, and (my favorite) aid in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives as both a DEI Advisory Board representative and as a social justice advocate!
Why do you do this work? For the last decade, I knew I wanted a career that could make a lasting difference in people’s lives; to help folks discover root issues, to grow, heal, mature, find solid support and utilize resources they didn’t know could help them. I was able to start that career path here at Seneca Family of Agencies, a non-profit social work organization that genuinely puts quality care and the safety of their kids and families as a priority. What made entering this organization even more crucial and beneficial was the agency’s consciousness of social issues, and the impacts these have on our communities. Social justice is a lifestyle, about grounding ourselves in love for our people and taking whatever measures necessary to give folks strong and steady opportunities for better lives; to push for social equity. That’s why I am here, and I hope to see this agency and our families continue to grow, overcome and persevere, together.