We would like for you to meet a member of our housing management team, Ms. Cheryl Leonce. She came to serve at LSSVI back in 2012 and is tasked with walking prospective residents through the housing application process and helping to determine their eligibility. In her position, she is required to understand and implement federal guidelines and recommendations that pertain to providing housing for individuals with disabilities. Even more importantly, she has to recognize the housing challenges of low-income seniors and adults with disabilities in the community.

Besides preparing critical paperwork, Cheryl can discern when a resident is in distress and needs a helping hand. She brings empathy and calmness to her space that reassures our residents — validating their needs and giving them a space to be heard. One of our residents was in distress due to a medical condition that paralyzed his body, and could not sit up or leave his bed. One day, in checking on him, the staff realized that he had no one to care for him that day. Cheryl prepared and packed containers of food so he would have meals to get through the next two days. That is the compassion she brings for our residents, and it has made her a wonderful member of our team.

We are honored to have Cheryl as a member of the housing management staff. We provide housing to over 100 low-income seniors and residents with disabilities, and the management team holds our value in care. They remind our low-income seniors about limiting guests as we navigate the restrictions of a pandemic. They check in with all our residents to make sure they have everything they need to prepare for a hurricane. They bring their joy and focus on the difference we make for those that depend on us. Cheryl is another reflection of what LSSVI stands by — to “by love, serve one another”.