GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF MEMBER, MIRIAM DAVID, IN TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT Q&A!
What is your position?
I am a Case Manager at Staten Island TASC.
Why did you choose this profession?
As weird as it sounds, this position fell in my lap. I interned at Brooklyn TASC during my senior year of college, and after I graduated, Henry Algarin, the Program Director at Brooklyn TASC, referred me for this position and the rest is history.
How long have you been working with EAC Network?
I have been with EAC Network for a year and half now.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is watching a client transform as they recover. Watching the clients grow while battling their addiction is amazing to see, especially when you know you’re a part of it.
What is the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is “leaving it on the table.” You’re in the office for a certain number of hours, and trying to fit everything into a 9 to 5 schedule seems impossible. Learning to leave your cases behind on the desk when you go home is difficult.
What aspect of your job do you wish people knew more about?
I wish people knew more about the need for treatment. We have a serious epidemic on our hands, and incarcerating people is not the way to lead them to recovery.
Name one goal you have for the upcoming year.
To let go of the little things that tend to stress me out.
Tell us about a client who deeply influenced you and how you do your job.
My first successful client bought me so much joy. Her time while at TASC was one I’ll never forget. She would always come in with a smile on her face and worked really hard to get her life together. Watching her complete the program was such a great feeling because it reassured me that what I am doing is well worth it. She worked extremely hard to get her life together and confided in me whenever she had troubles.
Name one of your hobbies.
Dance! I have been a dancer for the past 16 years of my life. Whenever the stress gets too much I just put on some tunes and let the stress melt away – there’s nothing a little boogie can’t handle!
Would you encourage others to go into your profession?
I would encourage them, but they have to understand that this profession isn’t the easiest. You have to really be passionate about wanting to help people change their lives for the better.
What advice do you have for others interested in your profession?
Don’t get discouraged with yourself if things don’t work out right away. A key component in this job is having patience.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I honestly don’t know where I see myself in five years. I think that it’s okay not to know. Wherever the wind takes me, I’ll be okay with it.
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Sarah Muller is the Development & Marketing Assistant for EAC Network. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in English.
