Lynn Abramson writes:
Over her many years with Homes with Hope (formerly the Interfaith Housing Association), Wendy Epstein has quietly helped hundreds of community members and colleagues to grow and thrive.
As a young mother of 4 looking to use her social work degree to help others, she started volunteering with the IHA women’s mentoring program.
Looking to do more, she helped organize Jumpstart, a partnership with Westport’s Department of Human Services that provided parenting workshops (and pizza!) for struggling young mothers and their children.
When the women’s mentoring program needed a new director in 2002, Wendy was the obvious choice. She became a whiz at recruiting and training new mentors, matching mentors and mentees, and facilitating their supportive relationships.
In 2009, when Homes with Hope expanded its mission to provide supportive housing in addition to emergency shelter services, Wendy similarly grew her commitment and added case management for supportive housing residents to her workload.
As Homes with Hope and its services continued to grow, so did Wendy’s commitment to supporting not only the most vulnerable members of our community, but her co-workers.
Wendy Epstein
In 2018 she transitioned to her current role as director of supportive housing, supervising Homes with Hope’s case managers.
Under Wendy’s direction, 3 supportive case managers provide services for more than 50 units of supportive housing, as well as other scattered sites in Fairfield County.
She also provides direct supervision for 3 additional case managers in our Rapid Rehousing programs serving single adults, young adults and families.
Wendy also supervises me — the director of ASAP, Homes with Hope’s after-school program — providing valuable counsel on how to navigate the day-to-day challenges of this fledgling project.
I cannot overstate how much I have learned from Wendy. With her supportive leadership and nurturing manner, she models the power of positivity.
When I am at a loss for how to handle a difficult situation, I can count on Wendy to offer encouragement and concrete suggestions. Her firm yet gentle style deftly motivates me to try to be the best version of myself for the children and volunteers of ASAP.
After 22 years with Homes with Hope, Wendy is retiring to spend more time with family, and start a small counseling practice. Paris Looney, our vice president and chief operating officer, says, “Wendy has been a friend, colleague, and mentor to me for the 20 years we have worked together. I will miss our daily check-ins and moments of laughter. I wish my good friend well as she continues to provide counsel and support to others in need.”
Here at Homes with Hope we will greatly miss Wendy’s warm presence, steady leadership and disarming sense of humor. But we are thrilled that plenty of others — children, grandchildren and counseling clients — will be the beneficiaries of her wisdom.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Wendy signified the best of what Homes with Hope had to offer. It was a joy to work with her.
Pete Powell
I echo Lynn’s comments. Wendy is fabulous and so giving and hard working and compassionate. She defines community engagement. I have been fortunate to know her and her husband Kenny since we moved to Westport. Simply put – two first-class individuals who make Westport such a wonderful community.
A W E S O M E choice
Well deserved! Congrats!
Wendy does a great job for hopes for hope as Peter says she does a wonderful job she will do great on her new job from sal liccione
Such a hero! Congratulations Wendy!
Congratulations Wendy! I remember how we shared notes on our social work trajectories way back when…. Well deserved. Best of luck on your new chapter.
Wendy, wishing you all the best in everything you do next! Homes with Hope and Westport have been so lucky to have you involved in our community and I know we will still be lucky going forward. Enjoy some time off!
Congratulations on your retirement Wendy! HWH was lucky to have you for 22 years. Your Unsung Hero award is the icing on the cake!
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Wendy! And best wishes on your next phase – hope to see more of you now!
Wendy, You are so deserving and I wish you all the best in the years to come!
one of the finest people Ive ever known
Well deserved and congratulations!
What a wonderful Unsung Hero. Wendy was a joy to work with and i am proud to call her a friend – as does most of Westport! Thanks to Lynn for initiating this great choice. And thanks Dan for showcasing the best of this great Town.
There’s not enough good things to say about Wendy !
Congratulations to Wendy! She deserves this widespread recognition for her talent and wonderful way with people.
She and Kenny are dear friends and clearly very good people!
What a great choice . Wendy is compassionate , capable and kind . I’ve seen her work firsthand as our probate judge . She will be greatly missed in this role , but I know she will continue to help so many people in our community .Good luck Wendy – nice job, Dan.