Spotlight on CFCS: Garaudie Lenescat
There are countless stories that live within our walls at CFCS, but not all of them come from the children and families we work with. Our employees – the social workers, case managers, interns, admins and directors who make our agency run smoothly – are the reason for our success as an organization. They also happen to be interesting people with quite a few good stories of their own!
In our “Spotlight on CFCS” series, we highlight the rich experiences and perspectives our staff bring to the office through one-on-one interviews. Today we’re highlighting Garaudie Lenescat, a Lead Milieu Counselor at Teens Learning Choices, our group home for young women ages 16 to 21.
Can you share your story, the path you took to end up at CFCS?
When I went to college, I initially wanted to become a nurse. Not because I enjoyed nursing but because I enjoyed talking to people, and nursing was sold to me as a lot of hospitality and engaging with clients. I first went to the University of Massachusetts Boston, then transferred to Quincy College. I was still trying to get into the nursing program at Quincy but I didn't feel connected to it. (Also, it turned out that I didn’t like blood or hospitals.) I was interested in social work, but I had a lot of negative preconceptions about the job.
I’d had a family member who was a social worker, and she’d always told me you couldn’t make enough money to raise a family. And sometimes when I told people I wanted to be a social worker their reaction was, so you want to take people’s kids away from them. So I was really discouraged.
But at Quincy, I had this great Psychology professor. I did really well in his class. He was surprised when I told him I was going to be a nurse. He asked me, if money wasn’t an issue, what would you be doing? I told him I’d probably run a youth program, something that provided activities for kids. Then he asked me, so why are you going for nursing? Nursing was very predictable and secure. But he helped me see clearly what my real goal, my real desire was.
So I graduated Quincy College with an Associate’s Degree and went to Lesley University to study social work. I’m currently still in school, and should be getting my Bachelor’s of Social Work this fall. I started as a Milieu Counselor at TLC on November 9 in 2018, and was promoted to Lead Milieu Counselor in 2019.
What does your job entail?
I like to think of milieu counselors as the foundation of the house. We support the residents emotionally, physically, with whatever they need. We’re there to council and guide them through the difficult situations they’re dealing with. We take on a teaching role as well, because some residents come in with no independent living skills. In our relationships with them, we show them how to build emotionally safe relationships with others.
We’re working for their tomorrow.
We’re working for their tomorrow. We support every aspect of their life: school life, social life, home life. We have to figure out all the pieces in their lives, to make things run smoothly. Doing that for 8 girls is a lot, but we take advantage of all the resources we can for them. Being able to speak to their families make a huge difference, and we try to give residents as many one-on-one meetings as possible. That’s a lot of relationship-building, which is also part of the Clinical Case Manager’s job. Without doing that work, it would be very difficult to manage residents’ cases.
What’s a big challenge you’ve had to overcome, or are working to overcome?
Removing my ego from the equation. When I first came here, I held onto my pride very tightly, so sometimes when I’d get yelled or cussed at by a resident, I’d take it personally. Now, I can be a support system for residents without letting myself get in the way. When a client [is rude to me], I can put my ego aside and ask “Hey, you hurt my feelings today, what happened?” It’s been a big learning experience.
What’s your favorite part of your job (so far)?
My favorite part of the job is the staff and the residents. We’re in a place where we’re all moving in the same direction. It never really feels like I’m working because I enjoy the residents’ company so much.
Recently, TLC underwent a big shift in culture and organization, and it has benefitted the house in so many ways. Karlah Paul, our Program Director, helped us unite around TLC’s mission and clarified our roles as supports. What do counselors do, and how is it going to help us get closer to the goal of residents being able to live independently and maintain supportive, healthy relationships? Making our roles, the mission and goals of the house clear helps us ensure that what we’re doing aligns with where we’re trying to go.
What’s one thing about your job you’d want people to know?
The residents are strong-willed, but they are the kindest group of girls. They’ve always been that way, from the time I started working at TLC to now. Often, people pay attention to their strong will and outspokenness, rather than the strength they carry and bring to this program.
What’s something you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to graduating and getting my master’s degree! That's one of my biggest goals. When I was a freshman, getting my master’s felt so far away and difficult. Now, after 5 years of undergrad, I’m confident and ready.
Anything you’d like to add?
The staff are amazing! I love working with them. Just hearing their stories of the change that has happened, they feel like TLC is making many forward movements for the best. And I love my supervisor, Karlah Paul. She’s a great boss. She gives me academic, professional, and life advice.
Maddie Summers has also taught me a lot. That’s what I love about this agency, I feel like I have so many resources. Maddie got her LCSW so now I feel like I have support when I work on one. It all feels very genuine, people want you to progress and do well.