Social Services Coordinator of the Year
While subsidized housing (the HUD 202 program) has been in existence for more than 50 years, the Social Service Coordinator position has only been in existence for less than 20 years. Now, for many, it is hard to imagine what residents did before the position existed.
The Social Service Coordinator’s main goal is to empower the residents of their community with the ability to live an independent lifestyle. They are creative individuals whose role varies with the needs of those they help.
They are investigators, researching the types of services that their residents may use, need, or want. They help residents obtain needed equipment and devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, talking books, etc. They try to locate free or reduced-cost providers of services for their residents.
They are educators; bringing information regarding health and wellness into the community; informing residents on how to apply for available services and benefits; keeping staff up-to-date on any aging-in-place issues a resident may have.
They are builders of the community; mediating disputes among residents; facilitating support groups within the community itself. They are links between community agencies and service providers and residents. They provide resource directories for residents, their families, and community staff.
They are advocates for their residents within the communities they live in and the larger community they live in.
The service they provide is invaluable for both the residents and RHF.
Social Services Coordinator of the Year Awardee
2023 Social Services Coordinator of the Year
Ansley Thomason
Farrfield Manor, Columbus, Georgia
Her title may be Social Services Coordinator, but to hear her residents and coworkers describe her, Ansley Thomas is so much more. “She is a friend, a confidant, an advocate, a sounding board,” says Aretha Richards, Manager of Farrfield Manor.
Ansley is known to go above and beyond to help residents and staff at Farrfield. “Ansley is not only an advocate for residents, but for me as well. Over the last 7 months I have been assisting at another community requiring me to be gone days at a time, and Ansley not only took the helm but she did so with grace and poise,” says Aretha.
Ansley’s nomination came with an outpouring of support from numerous residents excited to share their gratitude for all that she does for them. “Ansley is such a jewel! The first thing I noticed was her warm smile, mild manner, and soft speech. She speaks to you as though you’re important and that you matter. I thank her for her help to myself and others. The world needs more people like you,” says Fairfield Manor resident, Johnnie Mae Flournoy.
A help and inspiration to all those around her, Ansley sets the standard for what a Social Services Coordinator should be. “She works tirelessly to engage our residents and community in all things that will provide education, care, health, and safety. I honestly feel that Ansley Thomason is who RHF envisioned when the SSC department was created,” says Aretha.
RHF is pleased to present Ansley Thomason with the 2023 Social Services Coordinator of the Year Award.
Congratulations to all of our past award recipients!
2020 – Karleen Davis
2019 – Tammy Schendler
2018 – Ricardo Justiniano
2017 – DeLisa Harrington
2016 – Christy Sadler
