Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Renita Pagan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Renita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

When I think about a defining moment, I think about one of the first clients I housed while working in the shelter. The client was a Cuban man who had experienced chronic homelessness for over 30 years since entering the United States. I was his case manager in the NYC Shelter system, and I was able to move him into his first apartment!

My client was shipped here from Cuba at the age of 16 due to his mental illness. He eventually got a work visa but was unable to maintain employment due to untreated mental illness and instability of housing. My client was very hopeless and experienced a lot of trauma. He used substances and alcohol to cope. He has lived in horrific conditions since his arrival in the US. For example, he was living in the sewer and under the NYC subway tracks.

Assisting this client with getting the mental health treatment he needed and the housing that he yearned for made me look at how much we take basic needs for granted i.e. physiological, safety, and belongingness. Being an essential part of my client’s transition has made this work for me as a social worker so personal. My client was resourceful, humorous, and resilient and made an ever-lasting impact on me. My client, like many other clients, students, families, and my family members all have one thing in common, unhealed trauma.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a resilient and driven young woman of Puerto Rican and African American descent, born and raised in Peekskill, NY. I have always had a passion for helping marginalized communities which has allowed me to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Monroe College and Master of Social Worker at Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work. Currently, I work as a school social worker in the Bronx and a psychotherapist.

Built on being philanthropic, and with a heart for giving, in 2014, I began #RenitaGivesBack, where I provide underserved families in Peekskill holiday baskets and turkeys.

With a commitment to helping others battling homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and justice-involved; and as an advocate for inner-city youth, I continue to creatively develop curriculums that aim towards improving the outcomes of underrepresented communities. Through my experience with the homeless population and disadvantaged youth in NYC, I have developed a housing readiness pilot, a cultural diversity workshop, and a mentoring program for young women called OURS (Outstanding United Resilient Sisters) to address the needs of these individuals.

Changing the life outcomes of Black and Brown communities is a focal point for me; and my understanding of the immense underdevelopment of young women of color. In August 2020, I self-published a children’s book “My Melanin: Empowering Young Women of Color to Love Themselves by Celebrating Their Beautiful Features.” The purpose of this children’s book was to provide affirmations for young women of color by using the Melanin acronym that children can remember. Black children needed to be affirmed a lot more during 2020 because of the oppressive events.

Most recently, I self-published a journal titled “A Gratitude Journal: Manifest a Healthier You Through Daily Reflection, Prayer, Healing, and Intention.” This gratitude journal is for individuals struggling to find gratitude when experiencing disappointment, trauma, change, and grief. We often become consumed with these experiences, causing us to be afraid of becoming a healthier version of ourselves. The gratitude journal empowers individuals to focus on their goals, daily reflections, healing, purpose prayers, and affirmations.

During the pandemic, I created a blogging site titled: Intentional AF – a safe space for Brown and Brown women and men to normalize empowerment and unity in our communities. I write about lived experiences while emphasizing mental health.

I co-facilitate a healing circle with my colleague Tanya Briggs. The healing circle brings attention to mental health in Latinx & POC communities and cultivates courageous conversations, in addition to empowering women and highlighting womanhood.

I am most proud of my ability to foster organic and impactful relationships with my students, families, clients, and communities that I serve. I use empathy, lived experience, and a client-centered approach when engaging individuals. My approaches may look different for each person as I believe that inclusivity and meeting individuals where they are are essential.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a person who struggled with perfectionism, the idea of pivoting has always been an uncomfortable feeling to sit with. I’m a woman who thrives in a routine and hates sudden change! However, when I reflect on pivotal moments in my life, those moments were when I had to release control and accept my current reality.

Within the last two years, I transitioned twice to two different Charter Schools as a Middle School Social Worker. The first year, I was able to sign my contract in June and have the summer off while getting paid which was a blessing. I did not know during that time I would be preparing for the death of my Uncle Doug by being his Power of Attorney and Healthcare Proxy. My Uncle Doug is my mother’s first cousin who’s been an essential part of my village. He played a significant role in my life and has been a father figure for as long as I can remember. He and I spoke daily and had lunch dates since I was a child. We loved FOOD, discussing sports, and politics.

The first week of August I had to start my new role and complete two weeks of professional development. Three days after starting professional development his doctor called me to say that he had Liver Cancer which was causing his kidneys to fail. I was devastated after that call during my lunch break but as always I had to pivot and go back to work. Things started to progress quickly and I had to find him a hospice immediately.

My uncle was not accepting his current state which made it hard for me to make necessary decisions because I often looked like the bad guy. After being on the waiting list at the Calvary for almost two weeks, I was able to get him in. He was upset with me but his being in the Bronx made it easier for me to visit him in his last days. Also, the Calvary is one of the best hospice care in New York. He sadly transitioned a week and a half of his stay as soon as I arrived at work, I felt it. Grief and pivot became the theme as continued to experience the loss of friendships, career opportunities, and family.

In July 2023 my Aunt Nikki, my mother’s first cousin was diagnosed with bile duct stomach cancer. She was also an important person in my village. She gave the best advice and has been a role model for me and many others. As the school year approached, I started a new Charter School while mentally preparing for another loss. Aunt Nikki passed almost a week before Uncle Doug’s death date. As I experienced so much loss in the last year, I essentially lost a piece of myself. I was not the same and my new normal was not what I once knew. I did not know what was next, however, my way of pivoting was simply moving forward. I allowed myself to feel everything and trusted God through it all and with this, I birthed my Gratitude journal: Manifest a Healthier You Through Daily Reflection, Prayer, Healing, and Intention.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

As a Social Worker, ongoing professional devolvement is essential in the practice however, humility, empathy, and authenticity help one succeed. Humility allows you to approach every situation as if the client is the narrator of their story and you are meeting them where they are currently without judgment, biases, and unrealistic expectations. In addition, empathy gives every client with whom you engage support and guidance, which can improve the client’s outcomes. It is important to empower the clients by using empathy and approaching situations from a client-centered and trauma-informed framework.  Lastly, authenticity builds genuine and transparent interactions with clients, by creating an environment of trust and fostering a safe space where individuals can share their vulnerabilities and work towards growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rnpintentionalaf.myshopify.com
• Instagram: r.nitap &thehealingcirclenyc
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/renitapagan
• Other: http://beacons.ai/renitapagan