Please join us in congratulating Odette Facey, Senior Shelter Advocate at the Adelphi Street Shelter, as the April Staff on the Rise Recognition recipient.
Odette started working as an overnight shelter advocate in September 2023. Since day one, she has exhibited all the qualities of a staff on the rise. She has excelled in her job, as evidenced by how quickly she was promoted to the senior shelter advocate position. She possesses an exemplary work ethic, is an excellent team player, and she is always willing to pick up extra shifts when needed.
“Odette has a great approach with the guests at the shelter, as well as with the other staff,” says Victoria Furfaro, Advocacy and Outreach Program Director. “Odette is incredibly reliable, and she always helps out when she can. Even with having a second full-time day job, Odette picks up any urgent open shifts, covers on-call, and fills in for callouts. Odette is a major asset to the shelter. I can say for certain that the Outreach Department would not function as well as it does without Odette!”
“I love that RISE has housing for people experiencing homelessness.”
“I love that RISE has housing for people experiencing homelessness,” Odette shares. “It’s tough working with this population but at the same time I really like helping these folks. They are so appreciative and grateful for the help we provide, even for the little things.”
Odette works with the other shelter advocates to assist the shelter guests to obtain medical or substance use treatment, connect with community services, work on job skills, find employment, apply for funding through the Department of Social Services or Social Security, replace identification cards and other important documents, and to obtain stable housing.
“The hardest part is helping the guests be motivated to do the work to obtain the things they need,” she explains. “You have to be direct but kind. I let them know that this is a 50/50 partnership, that I’m there to assist, but I’m not going to do it all for them. They have to put out the effort too. But because I am kind, they understand and accept what I’m saying. I feel that being kind but direct motivates them to work towards meeting their needs.”
“I have goals! I want to retire when I’m 55.”
In addition to working as the overnight shelter advocate, Odette has a full-time day job, and also works relief shifts as needed both at the shelter and at the RISE Community Residences. “I have goals!” Odette exclaims. “I want to retire when I’m 55. My kids are grown, my house will be paid for by then, and I want to travel. So, I’m working hard now to meet those goals. I am an admissions liaison for an assisted living company during the day, but my hours are flexible, which allows me to work all the hours that I do at RISE. I want to own an assisted living facility by the time I retire. I’m hoping to have a great management team so that I don’t have to be hands on, but it will provide me the extra income I need to live comfortably in my retirement.”
Odette was drawn to human services because she is a helper. “I’ve always liked to lend a helping hand,” she explains. “I started working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) right out of high school, and I’ve worked with almost every type of general population over the years. I’m kind, I care about others, and I just like helping people. Prior to working for the assisted living facility, I worked for a health insurance company where I went to the City Mission Homeless Shelter in Schenectady to assist people in choosing us for the Medicaid managed health care plan. Coincidently, when I started working for RISE, I was familiar with several of the Adelphi Street Shelter guests because of my work at the City Mission.”
Odette attributes her work ethic to her mother. “I was born in Jamaica. My mother came up here first and then she brought me and my dad over. She was always a hard worker, and I always thought, ‘Gosh, I love her work ethic’. But unfortunately, she ended up working hard all her life and had a stroke. Even though the stroke caused my mom and I to become closer, I decided I didn’t want that to happen to me. That is why I am working hard now, so I can retire early and enjoy life.”
Odette loves spending time with her family.
Odette has two sons, 19 and 20 years old, who she greatly enjoys spending time with. One is in college locally, but the other one is in Los Angeles, California doing a plumbing apprenticeship, so she doesn’t see him as often as she likes. Odette has 10 siblings and except for one brother who lives in Florida, her parents, her siblings, and their children all live in the Capital Region. This enables her to get together with them on the holidays and in the summertime for family barbeques.
To help her unwind and relax, Odette enjoys shooting at a gun range, playing pool, going bowling, attending concerts, and traveling. “I’m going to Grenada this month. In July I’m going to Barbados and September I’m going to Bora Bora,” Odette shares.
“I love my job!” exclaims Odette. “I enjoy the Outreach Team, and I admire Victoria. I love how direct and honest she is. She reminds me of me. She is a go getter, and she strives to better our community. I’m like, ‘man, I want to be like her when I’m running my own assisted living facility.’”
“RISE cares about its employees.”
“Working at RISE is great,” she continues. “The agency cares about its employees and there are so many opportunities for growth and advancement in your career.”
The RISE administration appreciates all that Odette has done for the individuals we serve in the short time she has been with the agency, especially her willingness to work all the extra hours she does at the Adelphi Street Shelter. She is empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated – all the qualities of a Staff on the RISE. Please join us in congratulating Odette as our April Staff on the Rise.