Welcoming Alicia Sweeney, Senior Director of Programs
We are excited to welcome Alicia Sweeney as Providence House’s new Senior Director of Programs. Alicia brings a depth of experience in supportive housing and a clear commitment to strengthening services for women and families. Her leadership comes at a meaningful moment for our organization as we continue to grow and evolve our programmatic work.
To introduce Alicia to our community, we asked her a few questions about what inspires her, how she is thinking about the future of our programs, and the perspectives she brings to this role. Her responses offer a glimpse into the values and priorities that will help shape the next chapter of our work.
What has made you feel most excited to join the Providence House Program team?
I am most excited about the opportunity to align my professional skills with our mission. I am particularly looking forward to expanding the robust services we currently provide to our residents to ensure we meet their evolving needs.
What early priorities are shaping your vision for Providence House’s programs?
My early priorities are centered on investing in team development and fostering a strong people culture. By supporting our staff, we can better ensure that our clients effectively connect to essential medical and mental health care, which is a critical component of our service delivery.
Drawing on your supportive housing experience, what opportunities do you see to deepen the impact of our programs for women and families?
I see a significant opportunity to deepen our impact through culturally appropriate, holistic wellness and trauma-informed care. Strengthening our community connections will also be vital in enhancing the support networks available to the women and families we serve.
How do you plan to foster strong collaboration, communication, and shared purpose across teams and program areas? How do you envision advancing that standard across all sites?
To foster collaboration, it is imperative that our Program Leaders remain steadfastly aligned with the agency’s mission and overarching goals. By maintaining this alignment, we can successfully advance and maintain high standards of communication and shared purpose across all of our sites.
Alicia’s Inspiring Moments
When asked about an interaction that has stayed with her so far, Alicia shared two stories that reflects the unique charm of our community, as well as the passion of our staff:
"I recently had a touching conversation with a resident who had just returned from the supermarket. As she began preparing her meal, she shared that she had never cooked for herself until her recent release from prison and arrival at Providence House. She was beaming as she described her plans to make fried pork chops and french fries. I mentioned that I had never tried fried pork chops before, and we spoke about trying the dish and eventually sharing recipes. Her excitement was a beautiful display of her personal growth, and I look forward to witnessing her progress.
On another note, our New Rochelle site does not currently have a program director, so I have been collaborating closely with one of our case managers to ensure that the program runs smoothly. She has stepped up and taken on additional responsibilities with ease, often noting that her dedication stems from her love for Providence House and the women and children we serve. It is a true testament to how impactful our mission truly is, and how committed our staff is to our cause."
Alicia Sweeney, Senior Director of Programs, Providence House
