We recently connected with Makissa Lewis and have shared our conversation below.
Makissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
The marginalization of the female veteran is not a new behavior. The behavior is made worse by relying on such as states as California, Texas, and Florida that are home of the largest female veteran population. These states are expected to be the standard in terms to quality of care and housing for the homeless female veteran. Instead, these states illustrate the disparity that existence in regard to services as it relates to the homeless female veteran and the continued neglect by stakeholders. As a consequence, the female veteran has become the fastest growing homeless group. For my state of record, Florida, with a population of 1.4 million female veterans, the housing and care for these ladies compared to their male counterparts is seriously lacking. Especially, when one focuses on the tri-counties of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade. In these counties male veterans have available a variety of Veteran Affairs grant per Diem programs to chose from, whereas, the female veteran does not have one. With June 12 being, Women Veterans Day, I am asking for a call of action to put steps in motion to change this disparity. Below are the names and contact information of some of stakeholders that I hope individuals that can raise the alarm to in the hope for change:
C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center (Bay Pines)
Donna Sherman
Women Veterans’ Program Manager
(727) 398-6661 ext. 12287
[email protected]
Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville) Cheryl Tillman Women Veterans’ Program Manager Toll Free: 1-800-324-8387, ext. 4064 Local: 352-379-4064 [email protected]
Lake City VA Medical Center
Cheryl Tillman
Women Veterans’ Program Manager
Toll Free: 1-800-324-8387, ext. 4064
Local: 352-379-4064
[email protected]
Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center (Miami) Michelle Zielenski Women Veterans’ Program Manager 305-575-7000, ext. 7263 [email protected]
James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital (Tampa) Robin Norris Women Veterans’ Program Manager 813-972-2000, ext. 6695 [email protected]
Orlando (Lake Nona) VA Medical Center Lisa Martel Women Veterans’ Program Manager 407-631-4088 [email protected]
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Rosemary Balaguer Women Veterans’ Program Manager 561-422-6881 [email protected]
San Juan, Puerto Rico VA Medical Center Agnes Santiago-Cotto Women Veterans’ Program Manager (787) 641-7582 ext. 32214/35214 [email protected]
Makissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Makissa Lewis and I am a disabled combat veteran having served 11 years in the United States Army to include one combat tour to Iraq. I am also the Founder and CEO of the nonprofit, My Seester, Inc. (https://myseester.com/). Our mission is to: 1) create a safe meeting place for South Florida female veterans who have transitioned out of the service and have subsequently fallen or/are at the risk of falling into the cracks; and 2) direct her towards the path of self-actualization through life coaching, mentoring, and educational resources. Because of experience working with the veteran population, my professional and educational background as noted in the attached resume, and my commitment to providing resources and support to the veteran community,. Under my leadership, we have accomplished the following:
• Hosted Through the Fire, a talent showcase, at Florida International University’s Koven’s Center. This showcase not only celebrated Women Veterans Day on June 13, 2021, but also provided a reprieve from the tragedies of Vanessa Guillen Covid fatalities, and other negativities that have had a direct impact on the homeless community, especially female veterans.
• Attended the 2019 Community Salute to Our Military event on November 16, 2019, at the United States Coast Guard Air Station Miami in Opa Locka to distribute female hygiene products to the female veterans in attendance to include sanitary pads and/or tampons.
• Hosted a Health Care Symposium called Sick Call at the Veteran of Foreign Wars Homestead post on March 23, 2019. The purpose was to provide female veterans with access to other health care resources besides the Miami Veteran Affairs Hospital, which was not easily accessible particularly to homeless or financially challenged female veterans in South Florida.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I think when it comes to building an audience on social media the best strategy is be real to yourself and your audience. If you are not funny don’t try to be. Instead, be who you are. Also, do your homework on the audience you are trying to attract and find commonalities between you and them. I suggest use that to engage. Be consistent with your audience. Do not assume your bond with the audience is lasting. Be sure to nurture it.
Any advice for managing a team?
The way I manage my team is showing my team I am willing to get dirty and put in the work. I show them they are not alone in the work they are doing. In addition, I remember to show appreciation publicly and within Board members of the work being done by team. Lastly, before every meeting I have my team team share their “rainbows”, their highs and their “rainstorms”, their lows. J find by doing this helps morale to remain high.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myseester.com
- Instagram: @my_seester
- Facebook: @myseester
- Linkedin: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmakissa-lewis-90b7a964&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ca11f3cd4e8934e61422608da188f57c6%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C637849301174328107%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=e2BVowLqXRoAJT0IHBGCuNIgT5Z%2BgIy%2FqlqYzq7MSK0%3D&reserved=0