Andrade supports the growth of 211OC in connecting individuals and families to critical social services and community-based programs, including where to find housing, food assistance, and other resources offered by local nonprofits and government agencies.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF 10 YEARS AGO.
I was deeply immersed in direct service work—rolling up my sleeves daily to help individuals facing housing instability. I had just started to understand the power of systems change and was dreaming about how to take the lessons I was learning on the ground and apply them to broader strategies that could better serve more people. My goals were big: Make real impact, elevate community voices, and eventually lead in a way that centers equity, access, and data-informed solutions.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS NOW VERSUS WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING OUT?
Early on, success felt like checking boxes—grants submitted, programs launched, partnerships formed. Now, it’s about outcomes. Are those efforts actually moving the needle for the community? I’ve learned to have the patience to lean into the long game—real impact takes time, and success is about staying focused on what lasts, not just what’s next.