Zaréya has been a paramount asset in the Human Services/Social Work field for over 8 years. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice, Zaréya began her career with MSHN as a case manager. She served young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who exited DHS care and experienced homelessness. Zaréya excelled in this position greatly.
Following receipt of her Master of Arts degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, she was promoted to supervisor over two supportive housing services programs. By working with these programs, Zaréya worked with her team to provide housing stability to several single adults and young adult families. That same year, Zaréya was promoted to program director. Zaréya continued the work by overseeing an additional program that houses adults with verified mental health disabilities. In March 2024, Zaréya was promoted yet again. As the current Administrator of Community Services Programs, Zaréya oversees four schools with community based and attendance case management services, two supportive housing services programs, and a parenting collaborative.
Zaréya loves to continue her direct care work and has done so over the years by holding other positions at organizations such as Women Against Abuse (WAA) and Warren E. Smith Health Systems (WES).
Zaréya currently holds the position/role of Administrator of Community Services Programs. Zaréya provides oversight to Community Schools at Gideon, Tilden, Overbrook Educational Center (OEC) and Gompers schools. Zaréya provides oversight to Family Unification Program and Shelter Plus Care Program. Zaréya provides oversight to the Parenting Collaborative.
Zaréya’s key responsibilities include oversight of training and team member development initiatives, collaboration with funders and stakeholders related to program adaptations, successes and challenges, accurate compilation of information that is reported out to the Board of Directors related to case management programming, reviewing and regulating budgeting/program spending to ensure no program under nor overspending, providing periodic review and update of written documentation that programs utilize for organization and reporting purposes, along with a host of other duties.
Zaréya is versatile within the agency and tends to support other departments in achieving their endeavors. Zaréya has worked at MSHN since December 18, 2017, 8 years.
From very young, Zaréya had a love for serving the community. As an adolescent, Zaréya committed her time to paying homage to her late maternal grandmother. She became involved in a national fundraising campaign. Annually, Zaréya created teams to walk in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) walk; raising money for research and a cure. As a young teenager, Zaréya helped to spearhead the first Reach Out and Read Initiative at a pediatric office in the state of South Carolina. This initiative was to encourage and improve in-home literacy for children. In middle school, Zaréya joined the Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.) step team. Zaréya and her team performed locally to raise awareness and stop the spread of violence. During her years in high school, Zaréya volunteered with her paternal grandmother at a local homeless soup kitchen in Florence, South Carolina. To combat bullying that Zaréya experienced in high school due to having natural hair, she co-founded Tiger Lillies. Tiger Lillies was created for the sole purpose of empowering young girls to be comfortable in their skin. Zaréya later volunteered at the Beckett Life Center’s (a community center in North Philadelphia) after school program which led to seasonal employment as a summer camp director while in school for her undergraduate degree. All of these experiences have shaped how Zaréya shows up in the world for each individual and family that she strives to provide services to.
Seeing everyone achieve the best version of their life makes Zaréya happy and motivates her to continue helping people. Zaréya genuinely enjoys being a cheerleader for whoever may need encouragement and support.
Zaréya enjoys the sense of community, family and safety that she experiences every time she comes to campus. Zaréya enjoys the scenery, working with her phenomenal team and the ease she gets when coming to work.
Zaréya is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. She often continues her work of serving the community through her sorority. Zaréya enjoys spending time with loved ones and family along with her two fur babies. Overall, Zaréya spends her time out of work enjoying good people and good food!
What Brings Me Joy at MSHN
Zaréya is a problem solver. She enjoys providing solution-based options to underserved communities and families. Connecting people with resources that are applicable to their situations bring her much joy.
Favorite MSHN Memory
Perhaps not a memory but rather a lasting impact that Zaréya holds dear is connecting with and keeping in contact with a former program participant. This participant was not doing so well when Zaréya initially was her case manager. However, as time moved on and years passed, the participant was able to obtain work on herself mentally and physically as well as obtain employment and permanent housing to continue raising her 2 daughters. Zaréya often makes time to speak with this former participant to keep her encouraged. Zaréya also enjoys spending time with the participant’s daughters and being a staple person in their lives. The family may not know this, but they have become an integral part of Zaréya and her family’s life.
