Meet Melissa: Thoughtful. Compassionate. Driven.
For today’s spotlight, we’re excited to feature Melissa, one of our newest team members. Melissa is part of The Family Collective (TFC), a United Way collaboration that works to prevent and end family homelessness. Since February, she has supported internal and external learning and reflection and co-convened biweekly meetings for the Family Advisory Committee.
Melissa feels that the best part of her job is hearing about client success stories and seeing pictures and video clips of their triumphs and joy. Melissa shared, “It is inspiring to see how our work is infused through the TFC network and that this group effort among partners and providers has a hand in families getting what they need to succeed and thrive.” Through this collaboration, over 600 families have received services this year and are celebrating moving into their new home, getting a better paying job, going back to school and reducing debt.
The Family Collective connects families to sustainable opportunities and disrupts cycles of poverty. Access to affordable housing plays a pivotal role in a family’s ability to meet their basic needs and achieve financial stability. As of August 2021, the average monthly rent for a Nashville apartment was $1,581, a 13% increase compared to the previous year.* This presents a significant cost barrier for asset-limited, income-constrained families. If Melissa had superpowers, she would instantly build affordable housing across Greater Nashville.
This fall, Melissa looks forward to seeing the change of season, falling leaves and cool nights. And she will celebrate her one-year wedding anniversary! Congrats, Melissa!
One of Melissa’s favorite poems is based on a Mayan precept that we are all vibrant beings who are interconnected. The poem, a part of a play, written by Luis Valdez, is called In Lak’ech. Read it here.
*Source: RentCafe