Friday, June 7, 2013

New York Fellows Closing Dinner


Last night, the NY fellows, mentors, and key people in the PP55 program gathered at the home of Judy and Sam Suratt to celebrate the end of our fellowship year. It gave me a chance to stop and reflect on my experience as a Program Associate at the Association to Benefit Children (ABC).

My responsibilities at ABC have been many and varied. I have managed all reporting, communications, and analysis for ABC’s small permanent supportive housing program, which operates through a contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  I have taken the lead on managing all contractual, regulatory, and compliance related tasks for ABC’s Youth Alliance program, Family Resource Center, and Emotional Wellness Screening Project. Additionally, I have had the great privilege of attending various coalition meetings as ABC’s main representative. My favorite meetings to attend were those of the NYC Coalition on the Continuum of Care, a coalition of homeless housing and shelter providers, consumers, advocates, and government representatives working together to shape citywide planning and decision-making around the issue of homelessness. Furthermore, I have worked with my colleagues, including PP55ers Julie Leary and Taylor Leyden, on submitting major applications in order to secure funds that allow ABC to continue to operate its programs and provide services. These were some of my responsibilities, among others, and I learned a lot.

When I think about how much we accomplished at ABC this year and how valuable the PP55 fellows have been to ABC, I know that the other fellows have made equally important contributions to their organizations. I’m so proud to have been a part of the 2012-2013 PP55 fellowship program. May the wind be at our backs as we start new journeys or continue on the ones we are on now!