Her Story
About Lenise
Lenise HillClarke serves as assistant program director at Bronx Works, a nonprofit organization in the Bronx, New York. With 15 years in the human services field, she began her career in retail before discovering her passion for working with children while employed at a daycare. This led her to New York Fowling, where she worked in a youth and child program supporting teenage mothers in a group home setting, and later to Help USA, where she advanced through three sectors in a domestic violence shelter, ultimately becoming an aftercare case manager. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Human Development, with a minor in psychology, from Empire SUNY through a remote program while working. HillClarke has pursued additional certifications such as CANS of New York, training in ACBS services, parenting classes, mental health courses, and mental health first aid to stay current in her field. She attributes her success to her personal and professional experiences, including becoming an aunt at a young age and witnessing challenges in urban communities, which motivated her to advocate for change and support those in need.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lenise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my personal and professional knowledge and experience. I became an aunt at a very young age and had friends who became teen moms, which gave me firsthand experience. Growing up in the Bronx in certain cultures showed me things that weren't okay, and I realized I had to be part of the change instead of complaining. That molded me to take steps, make sure my voice is heard, and go into rooms I never thought I belonged in. I live the culture, breathe the culture in an urban environment, and to support those environments you need to hear from someone who lives there.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't second guess yourself. Come in as your authentic self. It's okay to have hair that's not naturally yours or naturally yours. Embrace who you are because your authentic self represents the people you service every day. When you tell them I got you, they believe it because they see themselves in you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that human services does not get the praise it deserves. We are constantly fighting for resources and advance payments, and salaries don't match the work. There aren't enough resources in areas like the Bronx. We pour so much in but it's hard to get resources. We have to advocate to be heard and supported by the city and state, and funding cuts do more damage than imagined. I was part of the Just Pay Rally for the last 2 years.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect, understanding cultures, being open-minded, and knowing that at the end of the day things can change, it just takes time. You can't just give up because you got one no; that first no may be a maybe next time, that maybe may turn into a yes.
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