Once Homeless as a Child, Mistral Now Helps Hundreds of Other Children

In 1998, first-grader Mistral Olaverria didn’t understand why she had to live in a shelter.  Today, as a FamilyAid case manager, she helps children who face the same struggles she once did find a safe and stable place to live.

Like all FamilyAid staff – many with lived homelessness experience like her – Mistral has passion and empathy for the children and parents like her.

But unlike other staff, Mistral’s connection to FamilyAid goes back more than two decades.  Mistral shared her full-circle moment during the agency’s virtual Building Better Futures event to benefit homeless children.

Mistral pulled out a dog-eared business card recently given to her by her mother.  “My mom explained to me that this was the person and the agency, Traveler’s Aid Society, that helped my family move out of shelter to our own home,” says Mistral.   “My mom didn’t know that Traveler’s Aid is the former name of FamlyAid, where I’ve worked for more than four years!”

Mistral says that her early life experiences drove Mistral to pursue a career in human services and now a second master’s degree.

“Being a case manager is my calling,” says Mistral.  “That smile when you see the family accepting a housing voucher or walking into their new apartment for the first time is incredible.  I know I’m doing a good deed by helping kids who are just like myself.”

Supporting more than 4,000 children and parents, Mistral and her colleagues are dedicated to serving vulnerable children and parents with compassionate,  trauma-informed, expert care.

Do you or someone you know want to join our team by helping children and families in a safe, flexible, rewarding work environment?  Please visit FamilyAid’s career page.