Who is Modest Needs (Besides Me)?

Many of you have heard my story and the story of how Modest Needs began, as a response to my own brush with homelessness during a particularly difficult period of my graduate-school years. 

But we also have a spectacular group of big-hearted people here on staff who keep Modest Needs humming (and funding!) on a day-to-day basis. I figured it was time for you to get to know them, too. And what better way than through a series of “Behind the Scenes” blogs highlighting different staff members?

The staff here -- who all serve as client advocates in some way -- are warriors. They're diplomats. They're investigators. I'm not exaggerating. They spend their (very busy) days verifying the authenticity of submitted applications or taking urgent steps to get people the help they need. When applicants call or email with a desperate request, these are the amazing people who answer the phone. No day is ever exactly the same, or easy for that matter. 

As Modest Needs employees, we revel in the triumphs of funded applicants and feel the sting of disappointment for those we can't help. When we receive a handwritten thank-you letter from a donor or applicant, it doesn't get chucked into some nebulous filing cabinet. It gets passed around the office and stuck onto a bulletin board so that we can each return to it later that week, or that month, after a particularly hard afternoon.

Every day I count myself lucky to work with such a dedicated group of professionals, whose positive outlook, desire to do good in this world, and sheer determination never cease to surprise and delight me.

So with that, keep an eye out next week for our very first installment, featuring Fawn Volkert, the Renaissance woman and client advocate who oversees the administration and operation of our program services department.

Until then, be safe!