Even as a child, Sheila Rodriguez, MBA, was troubled by the fact that people in her community lived without homes or enough food. Sheila knew from an early age that she wanted to work towards real change for her neighbors. Raised in the Bronx for most of her childhood, Sheila first learned the importance of community from her family. Her parents would often go out of their way to support those in need however they could. Her family’s generous actions and values instilled in Sheila a strong sense of compassion and care for others that has remained with her to this day.
Throughout her life, Sheila has grown personally and professionally to make a positive impact in her community. She earned her BA in Criminal Justice from SUNY Oswego, and she earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Touro University last year. Sheila is currently working towards her Doctorate in Business Administration. Her ultimate goal is to have ‘a seat at the table’ of decision makers and to represent the needs of her community members.
The significant need I see within our community, particularly concerning the homeless population, fuels my personal and professional interests. It has brought me to a place where I feel a strong calling to help break down the systemic barriers that have marginalized my clients for years.”
Before joining BronxWorks and the social service sector, Sheila briefly worked in the fashion industry. While that job differed greatly from her current career, Sheila says she learned a lot about communicating with and understanding people, which now helps her immensely as a human services worker. Sheila joined BronxWorks in 2021 as a Case Manager for the Homebase program, in which she assisted those facing eviction with resources to keep them stably housed. After less than a year with the organization, Sheila was offered the Case Manager position in the BronxWorks Transform program, which supports families as they transition out of shelter and into long-term housing. Her knowledge from the Homebase program greatly informed her work in Transform, as she continued to support those fighting to remain stably housed.
As the sole Case Manager of the Transform program, Sheila supports over 60 clients, most of whom have multiple children. She views her role as an advocate for the families; whatever they may be struggling with as they transition into housing, Sheila advocates for them and their needs. Her work is varied and often includes: mediating with landlords and utility companies; facilitating school enrollment and special education assessments; referring parents to the BronxWorks Workforce Development department and other internal resources; and much more.
I strive to make each client feel seen, respected, and understood. I want them to know that their individual journey matters. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside someone, offering guidance and assistance, and to ultimately see them emerge with hope for a brighter future.”
Outside of work and her studies, Sheila loves to hike and kayak. For her, downtime is best spent enjoying time with friends and family in nature to reconnect and recharge.
Even as a child, Sheila Rodriguez, MBA, was troubled by the fact that people in her community lived without homes or enough food. Sheila knew from an early age that she wanted to work towards real change for her neighbors. Raised in the Bronx for most of her childhood, Sheila first learned the importance of community from her family. Her parents would often go out of their way to support those in need however they could. Her family’s generous actions and values instilled in Sheila a strong sense of compassion and care for others that has remained with her to this day.
Throughout her life, Sheila has grown personally and professionally to make a positive impact in her community. She earned her BA in Criminal Justice from SUNY Oswego, and she earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Touro University last year. Sheila is currently working towards her Doctorate in Business Administration. Her ultimate goal is to have ‘a seat at the table’ of decision makers and to represent the needs of her community members.
The significant need I see within our community, particularly concerning the homeless population, fuels my personal and professional interests. It has brought me to a place where I feel a strong calling to help break down the systemic barriers that have marginalized my clients for years.”
Before joining BronxWorks and the social service sector, Sheila briefly worked in the fashion industry. While that job differed greatly from her current career, Sheila says she learned a lot about communicating with and understanding people, which now helps her immensely as a human services worker. Sheila joined BronxWorks in 2021 as a Case Manager for the Homebase program, in which she assisted those facing eviction with resources to keep them stably housed. After less than a year with the organization, Sheila was offered the Case Manager position in the BronxWorks Transform program, which supports families as they transition out of shelter and into long-term housing. Her knowledge from the Homebase program greatly informed her work in Transform, as she continued to support those fighting to remain stably housed.
As the sole Case Manager of the Transform program, Sheila supports over 60 clients, most of whom have multiple children. She views her role as an advocate for the families; whatever they may be struggling with as they transition into housing, Sheila advocates for them and their needs. Her work is varied and often includes: mediating with landlords and utility companies; facilitating school enrollment and special education assessments; referring parents to the BronxWorks Workforce Development department and other internal resources; and much more.
I strive to make each client feel seen, respected, and understood. I want them to know that their individual journey matters. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside someone, offering guidance and assistance, and to ultimately see them emerge with hope for a brighter future.”
Outside of work and her studies, Sheila loves to hike and kayak. For her, downtime is best spent enjoying time with friends and family in nature to reconnect and recharge.
