Her Story
About Vanessa
Vanessa Gee is a Family Peer Advocate (FPA) at a mental health clinic in New York, where she has worked for almost a year while drawing on more than 15 years of experience in community work and the nonprofit sector. Her career includes roles with WIC supporting women, infants, and children, running a program through the Department of Health, assisting families in family court, and mentoring at-risk children through OASIS-led clubhouses across New York State. She earned a degree in film and video and began her professional journey in the film industry before shifting focus to family and community support roles that align with her commitment to helping others navigate services and build stability.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vanessa
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Even if you don't know what or how something runs, and you're afraid of it, just do it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Self-care. Take care of yourself. It's okay to take a day off. It's okay to say, I need a moment... Learn about yourself. Try new things... Put yourself out there in self-care. Learn about yourself and take care of yourself. Because nobody else is gonna take care of you like yourself.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
New York State has gotten on board with the FPAs through the Office of Mental Health. We're seeing a lot more FPAs and a lot more peers in different situations... it's definitely, I feel, needed. Because if you come into a clinic... you need counseling... But if they have a peer, they can get you hooked up with a peer service... So, it's an extra support, and I think it's really needed in the community.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity. The realness. And the being honest about life, and accepting things, and asking for help. And not being afraid of things. Those things... They mirror themselves in your employment, and they mirror it in your life... You just have to be authentic. I guess the authenticity is very important. You can't mask forever.
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