Meet Lathon Andrews, Village Coordinator

I have been passionate about helping marginalized members of my community since joining the workforce in 2014. Having experienced housing instability myself growing up, I recognize a need for advocacy within the community. As Village Coordinator, I am eager to help members of the co-op find a sense of belonging, while instilling dignity and opportunity for growth amongst those served.

I have done and still currently do many jobs that provide me with a unique set of skills especially suited for the position of Village Coordinator. As an EMT, I have worked side by side with unhoused individuals. Through CAHOOTS (White Bird Clinic), I learned to manage complex housing needs and emotional crises while simultaneously navigating social and medical systems throughout the community on behalf of individuals requesting services. Working in emergency medical transportation, I’ve assisted a very wide array of humans with not just emergency medical needs but the process of grief and how to navigate it. On top of life-saving interventions, this work has taught me a lot about holding space and maintaining empathy through someone’s distress, with the added benefit of articulating actions into words via detailed written reports.

For over ten years I have been a Direct Support Professional for adults with disabilities. Throughout the years, I’ve learned to manage finances, schedules, medical appointments and coordination of care needs on behalf of someone else. It has given me experience with complex data tracking through online portals and shown me many different ways to help someone grow their independence. I am also a seasonal wildland firefighter. In recent years, I’ve been given a leadership role, and in that role I’ve learned not only to work hard in intense environmental conditions, but how to bring together a diverse group of people to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks with minimal resources available while under those same conditions. Last but not least, I have experience in construction, so maintenance of things comes naturally.

What draws me to this job is not only does it fulfill my passion to help others, but it gives me an opportunity to utilize a wide array of experience and focus it in one direction. As I meet new people, I’m always learning new ways people can come together to help. The job of Village Coordinator at Hub City Village is an opportunity to really sharpen those skills and progress the goal of sustainable and affordable housing for all.