Please join us in congratulating Marco Amantini, Shelter Advocate at the Adelphi Street Shelter, as the March Staff on the Rise. Marco started working at RISE in June 2023 as a shelter support staff and because he was excelling in his role, he was quickly promoted to the shelter advocate position.
Victoria Furfaro, Advocacy and Outreach Director says, “Marco joined the shelter as a completely green staff member, coming right out of college. His co-workers and clients alike appreciate his calm manner and his ability to relate with clients on a deeper level. Marco is always eager to learn and open to opportunities to grow.”
“One of the best parts about my role as a shelter advocate is that I never know what to expect and that there are always new things to learn,” Marco shares. “I like how engaging it is and how you must be on your toes all the time, ready to respond to somebody or deal with something that comes up out of nowhere when you least expect it.”
“My goal is to be my best self so that I can help the person in front of me try to be their best selves.
“Also, I love helping people, even if it is just talking to them about trivial things because sometimes this can lead to deeper conversations that can help change a person’s mindset or perspective. My goal is to be my best self so that I can help the person in front of me try to be their best selves. I try to show that through my actions, but I also try to bring that out in them by asking them to take a step back and ask themselves, what do I need to do from here, what is the best action I can take to manage this situation.”
As a shelter advocate one of Marco’s main responsibilities is helping the shelter guests meet their needs and goals. “We help them in a variety of ways,” Marco explains. “We help them obtain medical or substance use treatment, connect with community services, 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. At the beginning, I learned to do this from observing my coworkers, especially Victoria. I watched how they did things and I asked them how they would manage various scenarios. It was a challenge I enjoyed – getting to know the community, the resources available, and where to direct the shelter guests to get their needs met.”
Marco is a black belt in Judo, and he tries to incorporate the basic principles of Judo, “Jita-Kyoei”, mutual welfare and benefit, and “Seiryoku-Zenyo”, maximum efficiency, into every aspect of his life. “I’ve been practicing Judo all my life, since I was around 6 years old. I’ve learned that it is more than just the physical and mental act of practicing judo. There is a social-educational aspect that is just as important. You need a partner to practice with, and you need to respect them. You need to be present to help them out so they can help you out and you grow together. So, the social aspect of I help you, you help me is very important and should be brought with you outside the mats in every-day life. I bring that into my job for sure.”
“I teach the guests to focus their minds to be present in the moment to help slow things down and manage stress.”
Mindfulness, being completely present in the moment, is an intrinsic part of Judo that Marco utilizes while working with shelter guests, as well as leading groups to teach these skills. “In judo it is important to focus, be in the moment. You do not have time to be worrying about anything else other than what you are doing,” he explains. “I try to teach this same concept to our guests both in my one-on-one interactions and through leading groups on basic movement exercises, breathing techniques, and mindfulness. I teach the guests to focus their minds to be present in the moment. I share with them that these techniques can help slow things down and manage stress rather than getting caught up in the emotions of the moment.”
Marco has a bachelor’s degree in social work and would eventually like to obtain a graduate degree but for the moment, he is focusing on holistic and natural methods to manage trauma that leads to so many mental health conditions. “I’ve been studying the Wim Hof Method that is comprised of three components, breathing techniques, cold therapy, and mindset. In April, I will be going to Spain to do a master course to become an instructor of this method. The power of our mind is incredible, and I am curious to learn how to use it to help people heal.”
Marco lives with his girlfriend, who also studies judo and shares Marco’s passion for traveling. “I get my love for traveling from my dad. He is a photographer and has traveled all over the world. I’ve always been inspired by that. I’ve also traveled a good amount since I was a kid. Half of my family lives here in the United States and the other half lives in Italy where I was born and raised. I traveled back and forth a lot and I enjoyed seeing and learning about the different cultures. This has created a desire to travel and learn more. So eventually my girlfriend and I would love to take the time to travel and see the world.”
Marco attributes his strong work ethic and his love of exercise to both his parents.
In addition to his love for traveling, Marco attributes his strong work ethic and his love of exercise to both his parents. “They set good examples. They were always busy doing things, even outside of work, they were always engaged and involved in various activities. They believe in being holistic, exercising, and being their best selves so they can try to slow down the aging process to live longer healthier lives and be with us, their kids, for as long as possible.”
Marco shares that he loves working for RISE. “Right away I felt very welcomed, especially by Victoria and the other staff members. She is a humble person and instills that in others. She and the agency as a whole are committed to helping people. Helping people who struggle with different complex issues learn to live independently and to be their best selves.”
The RISE administration appreciates all that Marco has done to help the guests at the Adelphi Street Shelter. He is empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated – all the qualities of a Staff on the RISE. Please join us in congratulating Marco as the March Staff on the Rise.