Beyond the Desk
Christinia's Decade of Commitment to Welcome Home Veterans
When Christinia joined Welcome Home as a Permanent Housing Program Case Manager, she arrived as a seasoned veteran of the mission. For years, she worked side-by-side with the organization as an Intake Specialist for a local housing authority, a relationship stretching back to 2016.
Christinia’s personal connection to the military community runs deep since multiple members of her family have served.
Having that deep personal conviction fuels her belief that no veteran who fought for our country should ever be homeless. Now, her work provides the answer to the crisis by stepping in where others, or the veterans themselves, have failed.
As a case manager, she navigates the most acute crises her clients face, a job that is rarely done from behind a desk. No two days ever look the same. While she spends a lot of time providing crucial case management, her day might also consist of physically moving veterans into their new homes and shopping for groceries so their pantries are stocked on move-in day.
Her constant presence makes her more than a case manager; She’s become an unwavering link to a world that once felt out of reach and the professional lifeline leading them back to a life of dignity.
The men and women she serves often arrive quiet, guarded, and weighed down by profound shame, like in Cory’s story. Some have even severed ties with their families.
However, this deep level of support must be balanced with program rules: “Some of the harder [days on the job are when] we have to get in there and ask the tough questions. We have to hold the line for accountability.”
Christinia’s connection is a dynamic, two-way street. She notes that sometimes she feels the pressure: “There’s been a couple of days where I’ve had a bad day, and they can tell, and they check on me. They make sure that I’m okay.” This mutual care underscores the deep respect and sense of family she has built. In those hard moments, she forces herself to remember: “It snaps you back into reality of what you have versus what they don’t have.”
This perspective allows her and the small staff to meet veterans not with judgment, but with grace and compassion in their most vulnerable time of life. Through unwavering, daily connection and consistent kindness, they prove the shelter is a safe space where trust can be rebuilt.
“I think when the veterans see the staff as small and are willing to open up… I think that helps veterans when they come in,” she says.
This allows the veterans to feel safe enough to let their guard down and forge crucial friendships with other residents.
Christinia consistently witnesses extraordinary resilience. She sees veterans who have defeated addiction, yet still fight daily temptation, choosing sobriety and demonstrating profound strength. She noted that the work is deeply touching, often because of the overwhelming positive response from the clients. For instance, Christinia observes that the gratitude expressed by the 90% of veterans they house is palpable and powerful. This thankfulness is born out of intense struggle, which makes the outcome so powerful for Christinia and her team:
The ultimate fulfillment is seeing her veterans reclaim dignity and stability. When clients move out, the staff feels a mix of emotions. As Christinia describes it, “It’s bittersweet. So, it’s happy and it’s sad.” The sadness stems from the bond they’ve built. Yet, the joy of success is what makes it worth it.
The work doesn’t end when a veteran moves on. She continues to follow-up through the Supportive Services for Veterans and Families program, ensuring the connection endures as they settle into their new homes. This comprehensive, wrap-around support—which begins with shelter and ends with lasting stability—is the ultimate reward. It means Welcome Home provided that safe space and “home” they needed to reclaim their lives.
Christinia’s commitment is absolute. As she plans for her long-term future with the organization, her core belief remains the same:
“I always tell people, this isn’t just a place that I work. This is my home.”