Staff Spotlight: Emily Henry, Coming Full Circle
From Job Training to Team Leading - 20 Years Later
Emily Henry, MA, LCSW, Team Leader for our Integrated Health Home (IHH) at Safe Haven, embodies a remarkable story of perseverance, dedication to service, and happenstance. Would you believe Emily's journey with Community Care Alliance began over twenty years ago when she sought job training in the very building where she works today?!
In 2000, Emily moved to Rhode Island from the Virgin Islands, following her daughter as she transferred to a Rhode Island National Guard base. Seeing this as an opportunity to experience a new world, Emily was excited to see leaves changing colors and snow blanketing the trees.
Shortly after her move, Emily met the late Steven Horowitz, a job developer at Family Resources Community Action (our legacy organization), who helped Emily sign up for computer classes and find employment.
Reflecting on those challenging times, Emily recalls, “I lost my job and I struggled, but I kept the faith. I fought through it... Things will change. You just have to go through the tough times. We have to learn how to overcome.”
Steve’s support was instrumental in her success. He chauffeured Emily around, spoke on her behalf to employers, and encouraged her along the way. With Steven’s guidance, Emily secured a job in Highland Park after receiving her certificate of completion. Steve made such an impression on Emily that to this day she keeps his business card in her wallet and has the certificate at home, both mementos of a pivotal moment in her journey.
Her daughter was her shining light and the reason for her determination.
Driven also by her passion for helping others, Emily pursued higher education, obtaining her undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Social Work.
Emily didn’t anticipate the role she would soon embrace when she applied to Community Care Alliance in the Fall of 2023, With a big laugh, Emily shares, “I just wanted a job. I thank God for Michelle (Vice President of Social Health Services) for believing in me. She (Michelle) said, ‘Emily, you have the experience, you are a licensed professional, and you can lead.’ And that’s how I’m here.” Today, Emily leads a team of five IHH staff members building community and social supports, and enhancing coordination of primary medical, specialty and behavioral healthcare.
Emily’s love for her daughter shines SO brightly. A beaming smile covers Emily’s face as she shares photos and videos of her daughter, including an impressive rendition of the national anthem sung at her high school graduation. Now studying music and business at the University of New Haven, her mother could not be more proud of the person she’s become! We can say that she is following in her mother’s footsteps.
We hope that Emily’s story fosters high spirits and hope. in Emily’s words, “There’s a rainbow at the end of the tunnel.” Thank you, Emily, for being a remarkable, joyful, inspiring person, and for being a part of Community Care Alliance.
Written by Gregory Gaylord, Marketing & Development Assistant