Meet Rosita Marinez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rosita Marinez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rosita below.

Rosita, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I have always been deeply interested in social justice issues and addressing systematic inequalities. I wanted to be a social change agent and be able to create innovative community and housing programs to serve the most vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. I became a Social Worker and have dedicated two decades of my career to health care, workforce development, mental health, and housing. In finding my purpose, I have been able to impact thousands of individuals and their families to access equitable health care, mental health, and housing. The journey in social justice is challenging but rewarding; knowing your impact has supported individuals in their most dire need is very fulfilling. As an Executive Social Work leader, my mission is to represent and have a voice for individuals, families, and communities of color to access basic needs and thrive in the community. I want to leave a legacy of service that will impact future generations and inspire future social work leaders to continue fighting against systematic oppression.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am the Senior Vice President of Supported Housing at the Institute of Community Living(ICL).

The Insititute of Community Living(ICl) is a behavioral health care non-profit in New York City focused on assisting individuals and families affected by or at risk of mental illness or developmental disabilities with integrated, comprehensive care to improve their well-being and recovery.

As the Senior Vice President of Supported Housing, I oversee the nation’s most extensive NY OMH housing portfolio for individuals with Serious Mental Illness and co-occurring disorders consisting of 1,676 supported apartment beds.

Throughout my career, I have been part of different initiatives in housing, HIV/AIDS, and workforce development. This includes the New York State AIDS Institute: Positive Housing for ALL, Robin Hood: SEEDCO: Single Stop Initiative- Earn Benefits, and she opened up the first housing resource center using a clubhouse model at Fountain House.

I have created programs geared toward individuals, families, and communities lacking resources and have been able to provide them with hope and a better future.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I considered the three qualities that have helped me in my journey as an Executive Social Work Leader is the following:

1) Passion: Do what you are passionate about.
2) Motivation: Be motivated even during your lowest point in life or darkest time
3) Drive: Never lose your drive and sense of purpose because this is related to your passion, which will keep you motivated and driven never to give up.

I advise individuals who are early in their journey to find their passion and sense of purpose. Sometimes, we get lost trying to find ourselves and lose ourselves in not using the natural gifts we possess. I know the work is challenging for incoming social workers, but the reward of making a social impact is greater than the obstacles.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

What has been most helpful in overcoming challenges throughout my career and life has been to have a positive mindset, think big, never give up, and have a support system. I firmly believe that with every challenge one faces in life, there is a lifelong lesson. We become better when we learn from mistakes and have a humble approach to life. Also, connecting with people from a humanistic lens is essential because, often, this is forgotten, and the focus is on the materialistic aspects.

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