At LGBT Life Center we know that stable, safe housing is the basis for all health and wellness. That’s why our team offers permanent, temporary and rapid re-housing to our clients.
Emily McLean
Name: Emily, Nickname: Em
Pronouns: She/her
Job Title at LGBT Life Center: Housing Case Manager
Where’d you come from and what’d you do there? I was a case manager and special education teacher for children with emotional disabilities for 10 years, I spent time teaching in Wisconsin, Washington DC, Chesapeake, and in Hampton/Newport News.
I’m here to help you with: Serving clients with any housing-related needs and encourage clients to become stable and in the end, no longer need me. I hope to serve as many youth as I can in our Rapid Re-Housing program and help each individual see how powerful they are and make personal gains that lead them to stability and independence. Most importantly, I am here to help with any agency related supports I can and ensure that at all times everyone I encounter feels supported, validated, cared for, and loved.
How did you become interested in this job/type of work? After completing my master’s in Psychology, I began my search for a case management job outside of the schools. I researched different opportunities and found interest in housing case management and youth case management. When I heard about the position that was available and later found out it included working with youth, I knew this was the place for me.
What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know? I used to run half marathons and during one particularly cold Wisconsin race around mile 6-8 I thought I was getting feeling back in my feet, so I finished the race, just to find out later that day after being unable to stand up that they were both broken (picture a boot on each foot)…so I was being forced into retirement…however…I refused to go down like that so once I recovered (a few years later), I ran one more. Then I quit on my terms.
What excites you about joining the LGBT Life Center Team? Working with a new team of people to serve others and create a positive, welcoming environment.
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Emily, congratulations on joining the team and championing the “Housing is Healthcare” lens. Stable, affirming housing does more than put a roof overhead—it reduces ER visits, improves mental-health outcomes, and lets residents focus on employment and education instead of survival. In Tucson we’ve seen similar success pairing permanent-supportive housing with onsite care coordination; when residents feel safe and seen, their health metrics shift almost immediately.
I’m encouraged that the LGBT Life Center is integrating wrap-around services and peer support from day one. That holistic approach not only shortens the path from crisis to stability but also builds the community networks that keep people housed in the long run. Looking forward to following your progress and learning from the impact stories that emerge.