Ana: As the Senior Research Project Manager, I oversee the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) department which includes things like making sure users are being helped as needed, data is being put in accurately, and tracking data to find trends in what we are doing. I also implemented and now manage The Way Home’s Coordinated Access system and lead the planning for the annual Homeless Count & Survey.

Ana: I started in social services and then became more interested in homeless issues because it’s so hard to comprehend the complexity of it sometimes – trying to understand what happens and why someone becomes homeless. And I’ve always been interested in data and used it often in grant writing. Data can be really useful to tell a story.

Ana: I am consistently working on ending chronic homelessness and am doing case consultations to make sure people aren’t falling through the cracks. I’m also leading the work to revise The Way Home’s vulnerability measurement tool, which assesses an individual or family experiencing homelessness and matches them to the best permanent housing program to end their homelessness. I lead that work with different workgroups made up of partner agency staff members, and our next step will be to pilot that tool.

Ana: I would have to say the partners and the people I work with. It is so great to be able to work closely with our partners and I’m proud of the fact that they trust the Coalition enough to know that we know what we are doing. I also really love interpreting HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) regulations and being able to share that knowledge with others.

Ana: I have loved seeing The Way Home’s housing waitlist continue to go down. It is a proud feeling to see people get housed. I also love technology and am really proud that I was able to change our methodology for the Homeless Count from being done on paper to a digital format using new technology.

Ana: I really love running and have done a lot of 5ks, 10ks, half-marathons, and full marathons. I am also a Disney fanatic! I have done multiple Disney marathons and challenges. We are part of the Disney Vacation Club and go about twice a year. Besides running, I am a huge book worm. I am always reading a new book – right now, it’s “Shelter in Place,” by Nora Roberts.

Ana: I speak fluent Portuguese and speak it at home. My two kids are fluent in three languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese. I also love big dogs! We have two at home: one is a Great Dane named Latté, and the other is a German Shepherd named Dexter.