Empowering women facing homelessness

VENICE — Jennifer Fagenbaum offers an understanding perspective to her clients and children.

Once a young, homeless mother at 20, she now is executive director of Family Promise of South Sarasota County and stepmother to five. Fagenbaum uses her experience to challenge female stigmas in the workplace and redefine what it means to be a mom.

Eight ways Fagenbaum embodies FIERCE:

1. Instilling confidence: Fagenbaum said she doesn’t let her past with homelessness or sexism in the workplace define her, but instead, inspire her. “As a woman, I did have people question every step I took in growing this organization, and I tried to kind of hide it (homelessness) a little bit. But then I realized I wasn’t being authentic, and I learned to dismiss them and ignore them.”

2. Shattering stereotypes: “Everyone told me I would never amount to anything because I did not graduate. Then I was the person that everyone thought would never make anything of herself, and I was determined to prove them wrong.” While raising two daughters by herself and working two jobs, she earned her GED to qualify for college. Fagenbaum then made the dean’s list, graduated at 33 with her bachelor’s degree with honors, a teaching license and a 3.75 GPA.

3. Breaking the cycle: As a child of divorce and now a stepmother to five, Fagenbaum chooses to parent with perspective. “I try to make sure that they understood that I care and I want to be involved, and I have trained myself to understand my expectations aren’t always valid.”

4. Changing the narrative: Fagenbaum aims to lead a safe place where people in need can go for help and trust the staff. “When I was homeless, you were this malignant number to them, and they treated you like subhuman. I didn’t want the people here to feel this way.”

5. Understanding the struggle: Fagenbaum said her experiences have been a benefit to her outreach efforts. “I tell the women that come in here that you’re heard, and I will walk alongside you.”

6. Building a fair, friendly future: Fagenbaum has pioneered multiple affordable housing projects and trained her staff to provide effective trauma-informed care. “The way I was treated made me want to stop making those phone calls and stop asking for help. A lot of women have a hard time asking for help, but at one time or another, we all need a little help. So part of the reason why my approach is what it is because I don’t want other people to feel that way when they do.”

7. Generational feminism: “I tell my girls to never give up and never settle. Just because you’re comfortable doesn’t mean it’s where you’re supposed to be. And that’s probably the worst reason to stay.”

8. Inspiring resilience: Fagenbaum urges the next generation to be the change they wish to see for themselves. “A lot of people didn’t have the greatest start as young adults, but I want to emphasize that it is up to you to change that moving forward and to make your own future.”