The Job I Always Wanted: 16 Years of Advocating for Children and Families

On September 7, I celebrated 16 years in family homelessness services with Families Moving Forward (previously Genesis Home). Since my first day, the one I am most proud of is child and family advocate. No, that is not an official title, but it is woven into every role I have ever held.

In a recent meeting, I shared how, as a child, when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always say a child advocate. When they pressed further and asked if that meant an attorney or social worker, I’d emphatically say no, I want to be a child advocate. It wasn’t until much later that I realized that is exactly what I have been doing for the past 16 years, and even before my work in homeless services began.

I come to work each day advocating for the well-being of children and families on their journey to permanent housing. It looks different for every family but at its core, I fight to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and stable home in a community of their choosing.

At FMF, we do this by ensuring every child has access to supportive services from intake through our Branching OUT aftercare program. From childcare, therapeutic support, and opportunities for play, to employment support for parents, age-appropriate programming, evidence-based staff training, counseling services, academic support, and more, our goal is to surround families with the tools they need to secure and sustain permanent housing, and thrive.

If you asked me growing up if I wanted to be an Executive Director as part of advocating for children, I would have said absolutely not. Yet here I am, spending the last three of my 16 years leading this organization and continuing to fight hard for children and families. My desire to ensure the safety and well-being of every child experiencing homelessness far out-weighed my doubts about taking on such a significant role.

There are days I struggle to believe that I am succeeding in my quest to adequately advocate for children and families, and there are days I pray I could do over. However, even as I write this, I am smiling, and tearing up just a little, because “little Tasha” had no idea where this desire to advocate for children would lead to. Looking back, every step of this journey has brought me exactly where I am meant to be.   

It must be why I always respond the same way when someone tells me my job of working in homeless services is hard. It doesn’t feel hard because it is my mission. It is a privilege I do not take for granted. I am truly grateful and honored to stand alongside an incredible team, our community partners, and the families we serve as we work every day to ensure children and families have the opportunity to thrive.  

I am so proud of the work we do, even on our hardest and most unimaginable days I count it an honor.