Loretta Edwards

LorettaEdwards2021

Some of the most inspiring stories do not come soley from our participants, but also from the dedicated BronxWorks staff. When you have a body of staff who are driven intrinsically by a desire to make a diference, you will inevitably see many of them grow in their expertise and in their impact. For Loretta Edwards, who became the Program Director of the BronxWorks Family Enrichment Program in 2021, her story is exactly the kind that we love to share.

Loretta was born in Brooklyn but grew up in South Carolina. She returned to New York City after high school, completing two years at Borough of Manhattan Community College and graduating from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Loretta started at BronxWorks in 2010 as a Case Manager for the newly opened Brook Supportive Housing program. In 2015, Loretta received the NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene scholarship to attend Hunter College for her Master’s in Social Work. While studying at Hunter College, she completed her internship with the BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team and graduated with her MSW in 2017.

My career path started with me trying to understand myself first, and also wanting to understand others around me and human nature. I immediately gravitated toward case management and social work.”

Loretta returned to The Brook as a Social Worker where she worked with clients in the program who would benefit from a higher level of care and engagement. As a Social Worker, she also had the opportunity to supervise and provide mentorship to case management staff. In 2018, Loretta was promoted to Clinical Coordinator at The Brook overseeing a team of Social Workers and Case Managers.

I’ve learned so many things from clients that I’ve engaged over the years. The interactions made me a better person.”

In 2021, Loretta assumed the role of Program Director for the BronxWorks Family Enrichment Program. She brings with her over a decade of experience working with homeless and formerly homeless adults. Working with a new client population, and in particular families with children, will be a new challenge for Loretta, one that she is excited to meet, to learn from, and continue to grow.

Outside of work, Loretta likes to read or binge watch her favorite shows. She recently learned to drive and says her go-to activity this summer has been driving to the beach.

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