Meet our newest Front Steps Case Manager: Ms. Julia!
This month, we’re excited to introduce one of the newest faces on our team—Julia, a dedicated case manager at Front Steps. With a strong background in nonprofit work and a passion for advocating for vulnerable populations, Julia brings heart, experience, and determination to everything she does. In this spotlight, she shares what drives her, what challenges she’s overcome, and why supporting our veterans means so much to her.
1.Can you share a little about yourself and your professional background?
“I come from a non-profit background, from helping the youth and their families have care to working in a shelter based community. My work has always centered around vulnerable populations, with a focus on being a voice for those that need it.”
2.What inspired you to join Front Steps and take on your role as a housing case manager?
“I was drawn to Front Steps because of its commitment to both housing and dignity. The mission truly aligns with my values—especially the focus on serving veterans. I have family members who served, and I’ve seen firsthand the challenges many veterans face after service. I wanted to be part of a team actively working to change that.”
3.How have your personal and professional experiences shaped your approach to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness?
“I believe in a trauma-informed, client-centered approach. My experiences have taught me that listening without judgment is often the most powerful tool we have. Everyone has a story, and homelessness is rarely the result of a single issue. My role is to walk alongside individuals, helping them navigate barriers while honoring their resilience and strengths.”
Role-Specific
4.What excites you most about being in this role?
“The opportunity to help veterans secure permanent housing and rebuild their lives is what excites me the most. Seeing someone get the keys to a home after months or even years of instability is incredibly powerful. It’s a tangible, life-changing moment. Additionally, building connections with clients I think is very powerful and it allows them to have extra support when gaining independence.”
5.What’s a challenge you’ve faced in this role, and how did you work through it?
“One early challenge has been the limited availability of affordable housing in the area. It can be discouraging to see someone ready for housing but not have options available. I’ve been working closely with other case managers and our LOS team to be able to share housing options, get connected to landlords and even problem solve housing options.”
6.Can you share a memorable success story or moment that captures the impact of your work?
“One veteran I currently am working with has been chronically homeless for many years. They are discouraged by the system and feel as though they don’t have benefits or the ability to have their own place. This client is set to obtain the lease and keys to their new home next week! This client has shown me how important it is to have someone in your corner and be an advocate for someone.”
Mission & Goals
7.What part of Front Steps’ mission resonates with you the most, and why?
“The emphasis on restoring dignity really stands out to me. It’s easy to focus on logistics—housing units, paperwork, services—but dignity is about how we treat people along the way. That commitment to humanizing our clients is something I’m proud to be part of. Seeing how our team interacts with individuals and their families make me really proud to be part of a community that cares for others.”
8.How do you see your work contributing to the organization’s goals and overall impact in the community?
“Every client housed is a step toward ending homelessness in our community. Beyond that, helping veterans find stability reduces strain on emergency services and improves community well-being. I also see my work as building bridges—between clients, providers, and landlords—which is key to long-term success.”
9.Are there any initiatives, projects, or ideas you’re especially excited to work on in your current role?
“I’m particularly excited about building stronger partnerships with other organizations and bridging that gap. I think it is wildly important to know what other organizations do within our community because you never know when you might need their help or have someone you are working with that might benefit from their programming.”
Personal Insights
10.What has been the most rewarding moment for you since joining the team?
“Honestly, it was my first client move-in. It was a family of 4 who recently moved to Austin to start a better life. Helping them get beds and household goods to get started with their new home was very uplifting and remind me why I love this job.”
11.Outside of work, what are some hobbies, interests, or activities you enjoy?
“I love working out and going on walks—it helps me recharge. I’m also been really into reading this year and have already finished 25 books. I also really enjoy music festivals and usually find myself making a vacation centered around one!”
Looking Forward
12.What are your hopes or goals for your time at Front Steps?
“My goal is to help as many veterans as possible move from homelessness into stable, long-term housing. I also want to be a consistent, trustworthy advocate—someone clients know will go the extra mile. Long-term, I’d like to contribute to program development and hopefully have a leadership role within Front Steps.”
13.Is there a particular skill or area of expertise you’re eager to grow in while working here?
“I’m interested in developing more skills in trauma-informed care, especially as it relates to veterans. I’d also like to deepen my knowledge of housing law and tenant rights to better advocate for clients. I’d also would love to attend leadership trainings to strengthen my growth within our organization and better my interpersonal skills with my team.”
14.What message or piece of advice would you like to share with our community or the neighbors we serve?
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Homelessness is not a reflection of someone’s worth—it’s a situation, not an identity. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone, and there are people ready to support you. Asking for help is a brave and powerful first step.”