Black History Month Nominee

February 12, 2021

Black History Month Spotlight of the Week:
Bobbi Riddick of New Opportunities

A special thanks to Felicity Eles for nominating Bobbi Riddick for recognition for her leadership and service to Connecticut’s homeless response system and the people it serves.

In 2018, Bobbi Riddick began working with persons experiencing homelessness in the Meriden area. She started out as a Housing Navigator for individual women and families at New Beginnings Shelter NOW. In January 2019, she was promoted to Coordinator for the Middlesex-Meriden-Wallingford (MMW) Coordinated Access Network (CAN). From that first moment in that role, she was eager to absorb all that she could about CAN systems-level work. She has emerged as a valued leader in MMW CAN and is a consummate team player. She oversees the entry-side of MMW’s work and tirelessly trains and supports CAN assessors. She is flexible, positive, and humble. She regularly completes CAN assessments and Diversion paperwork herself when no other staff is available. She has been instrumental in implementing the Family Stabilization process in MMW as well as the Department of Correction Rapid Re-Housing (DRHAP) program in midst of COVID. Bobbi is also the lead Exit Manager for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program in MMW. Additionally she has become a CAN and statewide leader in advancing Race Equity. She participated in Cohort 2 of the CT Race Equity Collaborative and led one of workshops in the First Annual Equity in the Field Conference. Bobbi is diplomatic, creative, and committed. She works with great compassion to assist and empower clients to end their homelessness as swiftly as possible. She is truly worthy of recognition of her work to change lives for the better through her expertise, compassion, and action.

Do you have somebody who deserves recognition during Black History Month? Click here to read about how you can share your nomination.