Editor’s note: This post is part of Grow Your Own Way, a series about career paths at RACSB.
Nancy started her career at RACSB with a summer internship at Kenmore Club, the agency’s psychosocial rehabilitation program. A year later, when she graduated from college, Nancy was hired as a part-time membership advocate at Kenmore Club. Within months, that position evolved into a full-time role that would mark the beginning of her decades-long career dedicated to providing mental health services in our community.
Professional Growth
After two years at Kenmore Club, Nancy transitioned to mental health residential services in 2006, working as a residential specialist in the Supported Living program. Her dedication and work ethic—instilled by her father who taught her that “even when there’s nothing to do, pick up a rag and wipe something”—did not go unnoticed. She took on additional responsibilities and was often trusted as the point of contact when her coordinator was unavailable.
She became manager of our Home Road supervised apartments, where she served for several years before advancing to coordinator of mental health residential services 2016.
Expanding Impact
Today, Nancy oversees two distinct but vital programs: Mental Health Residential and Permanent Supportive Housing.
The mental health residential program offers supervised and supported apartment living options for individuals with serious mental illness who are transitioning from state hospitals, the community, or jail. These services help residents learn or relearn essential independent living skills—from cooking and cleaning to medication management and community integration.
Nancy and Amy Jindra, director of community support services, at an event honoring landlords
In 2019, Nancy helped launch RACSB’s PSH program, which addresses chronic homelessness among adults with serious mental illness. The program started with 20 housing slots and a small team and has since expanded to housing nearly 70 individuals. The team has grown to include six case managers, two housing specialists, a program manager, a peer specialist, and other support staff—all dedicated to creating stable housing solutions.
Keys to Success
Each program centers on the needs and wants of the individuals served. Mental health residential services provide structure and support while residents develop independence, usually transitioning out within about two years. For PSH, the focus is on an approach known as Housing First, with supportive services available but not required. This approach has yielded remarkable results—out of 101 people housed through PSH, only one has received an eviction notice. Nearly 90% of PSH clients have reduced their number of psychiatric hospitalizations. More than half have not been hospitalized since obtaining housing through the program.
Most of the PSH team
Nancy has observed significant changes in client needs over the years. When she began her career, most clients were older adults with serious mental illness but minimal substance abuse issues. Today, she sees younger individuals who may have never lived independently, along with more complex substance use challenges. She and her team rise to the occasion, adapting to meet these evolving needs.
Staying with RACSB
When asked what has kept her at RACSB throughout her career, Nancy cites familiarity, growth, and pride in her work. She values the relationships built over years of service. She appreciates the stability of knowing the agency’s expectations and policies, and takes pride in having “grown with the agency” both personally and professionally.
What began as a summer internship has evolved into a career spanning two decades.
“When I started in 2003-2004, I never thought I would be where I am today,” Nancy said. “I never thought that I would be overseeing two completely separate programs that do such amazing things.”