Key Staff Members
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 homelesness systems and services has been centered by 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
Suzy has been an integral part of the success and services at the Friendship Center since 2000. Her hard work and attention to detail ensure that many data, human resource, and program functions excel and are operational. Suzy has a degree in Accounting and Divinity. Reverend Suzy is ordained in the United Methodist Church.
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.
Fred Brown, Director of Communications and Development – fbrown@fsc-ct.org
Fred Brown began his marketing/communications/development career many years ago, but honed his skills the last fifteen years at a non-for-profit financial institution. Fred created a fundraiser (Freezin' for a Reason) to aid the Colchester Food Bank in 2010, which has raised $154,000 as of 2022. Fred joined us as the Director of Development and Communications in mid 2022.
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.
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 are 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.
