OUR MISSION
With community collaboration, our work is love made visible through supportive services and partnership with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
VISION
The Friendship Service Center is a place where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and everyone is welcome. We believe that every act of generosity and kindness can transform the world for those around us. Every human has value, and we want to envision and create a world without homelessness.
OUR TEAM
Caitlin Rose, Executive Director - crose@fsc-ct.org
Caitlin brings a wealth of experience in homelessness services and systems spanning from California to Connecticut. Prior to becoming the Executive Director at the FSC, she was a leader at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority focusing on the development and performance of the crisis housing portfolio in Los Angeles City and County; her direct service and system leadership experience has spanned street outreach, drop-in centers, shelter diversion, shelter operations, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing development, with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement. Her work in homelessness systems and services has been centered on her clinical acumen as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and over her twelve years in the field, she has been a contributor on local, statewide, and national panels, as well as a presenter at conferences on topics related to coordinated entry and diversion.
Suzy Rivera, Director of Finance - srivera@fsc-ct.org
As the FSC's longest-standing employee, Suzy has been an integral part of the success and services at the Friendship Service Center since 2000. Suzy is our Director of Finance, however, her hard work and attention to detail have allowed her to wear many hats during her tenure, including street outreach, program oversight, human resources, and IT operations. Suzy has a degree in Accounting and Divinity and is ordained in the United Methodist Church.
Jessica McCain, Director of Human Resources - jmccain@fsc-ct.org
During a global pandemic and after an 8-year Senior Level tenure in the Healthcare Industry, Jessica began her own consulting agency offering outsourced human resource, payroll, and project management functions. It was through this leap of faith that she not only contracted but connected with the Friendship Service Center’s “Love Made Visible” mission. While contracted, she has overseen the recruitment and retention of exceptional staff who also thrive on the company’s mission, spear-headed the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative, and fostered a supportive environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging. As Director of Human Resources, she is responsible for leading FSC’s overall human resource strategy, talent acquisition, professional and cultural development, diversity/equity/inclusion, compensation, benefits, and employee relations. She is committed to a Strategic and Transformational Leadership Style ensuring that staff is privy to the tools and resources needed to get the job not just done, but done right. Her strong business acumen coupled with her education and comprehensive background in HR management makes for a wonderful addition to our team.
Kassandra Hernandez, Director of Investments and Partnerships - khernandez@fsc-ct.org
Joe Waite, Director of Facilities - jwaite@fsc-ct.org
Joe Waite began work in the carpentry trade in 1983, and began adding facility maintenance into the fold about 12 years ago. Joe came to the FSC after years working in elderly housing to lead the creation and development of a facilities and maintenance team as our Director of Facilities in early 2022.
Melanie Alvarez, Director of Programs - malvarez@fsc-ct.org
Melanie Alvarez obtained her Bachelor’s Degree of the Arts in Spanish from the University of Connecticut and has completed graduate studies at the University of Hartford’s Master’s in Science of Operational Psychology. She is a passionate advocate who has served in the private nonprofit sector for almost two decades with varied direct experience in the areas of homelessness, HIV/AIDS education, harm reduction counseling, outreach, and case management. The last several years, as a Program Director and Community Health Worker, Melanie has worked with an array of programs and initiatives related to community health work, as well as integrating housing and medical based social service delivery systems.
Catellia Casey, Associate Director of Residential Programs - ccasey@fsc-ct.org
Catellia Casey came to the Friendship Service Center in December of 2022 with a background and a 7-year career in HIV/AIDS housing and quality management. She obtained her degree in public health from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013. Catellia is passionate about work that addresses systemic housing issues that often result in homelessness. Over the past seven years, she has been involved in multiple projects and strategic initiatives focusing on integrating equitable solutions to homelessness and improving access to services. As FSC's Associate Director of Residential Programs, Catellia oversees the operations of several of the agency's Supportive Housing programs and other resource programs related to housing search and eviction prevention.
Manny Sandoval, Associate Director of Emergency Programs - msandoval@fsc-ct.org
Manny Sandoval was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, and has survived some of the challenges experienced by FSC participants. Manny received his Bachelor's Degree from Springfield College and graduated summa cum laude, representing his peers as the class speaker of 2017. Manny continued his education, gaining his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Saint Joseph’s, again graduating at the top of his class and becoming a class speaker. Over the last eight years, Manny has provided support services to New Britain residents via civic engagement and mental health services. Manny completed his requirements to be a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and in November 2022 became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker License (LCSW). Manny has a passion for advocacy and for over ten years has testified at the Legislative Office Building on behalf of our state’s most vulnerable populations, and is looking forward to assisting our community in getting ready, willing, and able to succeed in their lives.