Jacob Berenbroick
Staff Spotlight
Jacob Berenbroick has worked at FACETS for 4 years and started his career at FACETS as the volunteer coordinator before transitioning to his current role as a Community Development Advocate (CDA)/Program Coordinator with FACETS' Education and Community Development Team (ECD). As a CDA, Jacob has the privilege to support families and individuals who suffer the effects of poverty and live in low-income housing at the Wedgewood Community Center located in Annandale, VA. As a source of support to the residents of Wedgewood, Jacob oversees all aspects of the programs offered at the Wedgewood Community Center, which include Homework Help, ESOL, Life Skills, Boys & Girls Groups, Job Assistance plus additional programs promoting the residents' growth in education, career and life skills etc... to end the cycle of poverty.
| Jacob Berenbroick Community Advocate, Wedgewood |
What is the best part of working as a Community Advocate at Wedgewood?
I enjoy getting to know the residents and becoming a part of their support system by providing opportunities through programs and case management that many people take for granted until it's gone. No matter the obstacles a family, individual or child faces, there is nothing like seeing a smile on a child's face when he/she is able to pick out a new book, or sharing the sincere accomplishment an adult or student has made when they can realize their dream of going to or finishing college. To know you were able to help a resident realize their dreams, overcome a difficult situation, or make their day a little better is the best part of my job.
What do you find most challenging about your position?
The most challenging part of the job is realizing sometimes things are out of your control. No matter how hard you work you will never be able to help every resident transition out of poverty. It is something you can't do alone. It requires a community effort, and that is bigger than FACETS or even Fairfax County. However, I am lucky to work at FACETS with coworkers and volunteers who are relentless in their pursuit to accomplish our goal and mission and in a county where preventing and ending homelessness and breaking the cycle of poverty is a strategic priority.
How have volunteers impacted the ECD programs and the residents of Wedgewood?
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Wedgewood and all ECD programs. Without volunteers, I would not be able to provide quality programs that deliver educational opportunities, advances of life skills, job resources, career assistance, or experiential learning opportunities to children and adults. When volunteers arrive at the center, you can feel the gratitude and joyfulness from the residents that someone is there to help. Volunteers make our programs and centers better by bringing their passions, interest and desire to serve through sharing their unique cultures or skills. From Homework Help to teaching music and dance, giving guided tours of D.C., teaching English, or mentoring a family, volunteers at FACETS makes a difference in the lives of our residents.
Is there anything you wish everyone knew about FACETS and the work we do?
I wish people knew more about the wide scope of services we provide to residents in Fairfax County who suffer the effects of poverty. Because FACETS provides services in various areas, many people only know our staff or our organization through one particular program and don't see all we do at FACETS. I also wish people knew more about the lack of affordable housing and the effects it has on their neighbors, coworkers and the community at large. Without adequate affordable housing and services like the ones ECD provides, ending the cycle of poverty will remain elusive. Furthermore, FACETS' ECD community center based programs make a real and positive impact in the lives of our residents and is vital to ending the cycle of poverty.
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