Categories: Member News
03.31.2023
After leading the organization for 10 years and working there for more than 25 years, Kevin O’Connor retired as Executive Director of Joseph’s House and Shelter March 31st, Kevin has been a thought leader in the supportive housing world -- speaking and teaching locally and nationally about housing first and harm reduction, including at many Network conferences, and at Siena College.
Kevin began his career in New York City working with Network members Brooklyn Housing and Community Services as well as the Center for Urban and Community Services. He was also active in the Network (then known as the SRO Providers Group). He has been a Network Board member since 2014.
"Kevin has been a beacon of light in our community for decades,” says Network Executive Director Pascale Leone. “leading the clarion call for housing first and harm reduction. Many of our members – and myself included - have visited Kevin at Joseph’s House over the years and been inspired to adopt the model. A humble leader, truly able to meet people where they are at, Kevin has helped thousands of people find their home. I am thankful for his leadership and ground-breaking work in advancing housing first.”
Steve Piasecki, the Upstate Coordinator added, “I praise Kevin for his moral compass that kept Joseph’s House on course to be a north star for our community by caring for others with great compassion and empathy. We all must do so if we are to end homelessness.”
When the Network celebrated our 30th Anniversary with 30 Innovations, we chose Kevin to speak about housing first: https://shnny.org/blog/entry/housing-first-innovation-to-reduce-chronic-homelessness.
We wish Kevin and his successor Amy LaFountain, a 17-year veteran of Joseph’s House all the best.