Shalla “Shy” (she/her) joins LGBT Life Center as a Bilingual Housing Stabilization Specialist with extensive experience in mental health counseling, behavioral intervention, and trauma-informed care. From supporting behaviorally challenged youth and adults to advocating for military families, Shy’s work has always centered on meeting people where they are — especially those facing language barriers or complex challenges.
Name/Nickname: Shalla/Shy
Pronouns: She/her
Job title: Bilingual Housing Stabilization Specialist
Where’d you come from and what’d you do there? I came from a Private School that managed the education and care of behaviorally challenged children and children on the spectrum of Autism. Our age range was from kindergarten to upper adult schooling, up to age 21. I was a Mental Health Counselor/Registered Behavioral Technician and assisted directly in the classrooms to handle potentially high-risk situations and diffuse elevated behaviors. I have an extensive back round in mental health and I am a registered Care Provider with an NPI number that can be looked up on the internet which tells precisely my areas of expertise and experience.
I’m here to help you with…Understanding and assisting all people who seem to have language barriers or are afraid to ask questions to hard answers. I am bilingual, and I use my native language to support and guide people who speak Spanish to have a voice. Although I’m not as well-versed in other languages, I can understand a bit of Italian and Tegalo. I originally came to VA from Southern NJ (Hammonton, the blueberry capital of the world) to join the Civilian Corps of the military to serve as an Ombudsman for the spouses of our deployed military. My Oldest daughter, “Rayna,” gave me insight into the need of military personnel and their spouses to have a safe space and time to discuss the hardships of being in the military and deployments. I also specialize in “PTSD” and trauma-informed care. My daughters, Rayna and Jazmine, are both in the Navy and are proud to serve. This was just another reason for me also to serve, but in a way that would make a difference at home. My role at LGBT Life Center is to utilize my skill set and experience to assist my colleagues with complex barriers, such as interacting with and speaking to people of Spanish descent, and to open the door to a wider range of clientele. I want to assist in bridging that gap and care for all people.
How did you become interested in working at LGBT Life Center? Once I did my research on what the LGBT Life Center’s mission is, I felt that I wanted to be a part of the change that shifts the way people think and see, but to a more understanding role of “How can I help you,” and “What can I do to help you succeed.”
What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know? I have a motorcycle license and a boating license, but don’t have a motorcycle or a boat here with me in VA. LOL
What excites you most about being at LGBT Life Center? The Support, guidance, and grace that I have been given by my supervisors and colleagues. This is a very supportive atmosphere.
Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…
Animal: All animals. I had a small petting zoo/farm on my property in NJ
Color: Pink and Purple but all colors are beautiful
Song/Music: Gospel/ “I believe In you”
TV Show/Movie: Forged in Fire/My Cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci is from Jersey)
Hobby: Reading, going to the movies and traveling to NJ/SC and other states to visit my family
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