We were lucky to catch up with Shelia Robertson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shelia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
As the Executive Director of HAPS, I’ve been in this industry for a while now. Clients come and go. There will be some that break your heart. You will often be their loudest cheerleader. I am reminded of one gentleman in particular. We’ll call him Ivan. Ivan is in his 70’s.
As Executive Director of HAPS, I have had the privilege of serving many clients over the years. Some stories are especially profound—reminders of why our work matters. One such story is that of a gentleman I will call Ivan.
Ivan, now in his seventies, once lived a vibrant life as a boat captain in the Caribbean. A U.S. citizen, he eventually returned to the United States for medical care. What began with promise soon turned to hardship, as complications from his treatment consumed his finances and left him nearly paralyzed. With no family support, Ivan found himself homeless—living out of a small two-seat car with his wheelchair, catheter, and the few belongings he had left.
When Ivan was referred to HAPS, he had grown understandably discouraged. As the sole employee of the agency, I worked closely with him over several months. Together, we completed complex paperwork, reestablished his SNAP benefits, coordinated medical appointments, and connected him with food and daily essentials. Through partnerships and donations, we were able to secure a hospital bed, clothing, and other necessities. Most importantly, we successfully assisted Ivan in moving into a rent-assisted apartment—with utilities set up—just days before Christmas.
That had been Ivan’s one Christmas wish: to simply have a home. For him, that wish became reality.
This is the heart of HAPS. We walk alongside those who feel forgotten, bringing dignity, stability, and hope back into their lives—one client, one story at a time.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My path into nonprofit work began as a volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), supporting children navigating the family court system. Having grown up with an abusive father, the mission of CASA resonated deeply with me. Years later, my CASA supervisor recommended me for a Case Manager position at the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence (GCCFN), where I spent five years assisting victims of domestic violence and their children.
During that time, I met the former director of HAPS—then known as Health and Handicapped Services—who was preparing to retire. Believing my passion for helping others aligned with the mission of the agency, she recommended me to the Board of Directors as her successor. I have now served as Executive Director of HAPS for nearly eight years.
One of my proudest accomplishments has been leading the rebranding of HAPS to Health and Prescription Services, a name that better reflects our mission and inclusivity. I am equally proud of the strong partnerships we have built with organizations such as Singing River Hospital System, South Mississippi Mental Health Center, Bethesda Free Clinic, Coastal Family Health Clinics, Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, Community Action of South Mississippi, Jackson County Code Enforcement, City of Moss Point, United Way of Jackson/George/Greene Counties, and many others. These collaborations allow our small agency to maximize services and resources for the community.
Since its founding in 1960, HAPS has provided free services to those in need. More than six decades later, our mission remains steadfast: to stand as a reliable resource and partner, ensuring individuals and families have access to the support they deserve—for as long as funding allows.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I had been with HAPS for just over a year when COVID-19 began to spread across the globe. Very early on, our Board of Directors empowered me to implement proactive safety measures to protect both staff and clients. We constructed a permanent wall to separate the lobby from the office, providing greater privacy and security. A pass-through window and microphone system were installed to ensure safe, effective communication, and we invested in a portable fogging system to maintain a sanitized environment.
These steps, combined with the use of PPE, enabled HAPS to remain open throughout the entire pandemic. We did not lose a single day of service due to illness, lockdown, or the spread of infection. We take great pride in the fact that during one of the most challenging times in recent history, HAPS stood strong, resilient, and unwavering in our commitment to serve the community when needed most.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I have learned that I am resourceful—and that resourcefulness extends to HAPS as an organization. By making both myself and HAPS available to community leaders in times of need, we have built a reputation for being dependable, solution-oriented, and a trusted partner. Today, our agency is often the first call when accurate information or critical resources are needed.
This experience has reinforced an important truth: when you identify what you or your organization does best, refine that strength, and consistently deliver with excellence, you become the “go-to” resource in your field. However, it is not enough to be first with a product, service, or information—you must also ensure that what you provide is accurate, reliable, and of the highest quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haps.online
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapshelps/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hapservice
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/35462098/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@haps228
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/shelia.robertson.10
