Welcome Lashawnda! New to the LPCS team.

Hello everyone!  Thank you all for the warm and inviting welcome I’ve received these past couple of weeks as I transition into the position of Community Relations & Development Manager. I am so excited to become one of the newest members of the LPCS family. 

Lashawnda M. Carter, Community Relations & Development Manager

I always knew I wanted to work in a field that helped others, but I wasn’t quite sure what that would look like when I finished school. After taking a class on the fundamentals of fundraising, I decided to look for positions on NPO.net. That is where I learned about National Runaway Safeline (NRS); the federally-designated crisis communications system for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth.  It didn’t take long for me to figure out that few people were really aware of how under-served the homeless population was. Unfortunately, there are always stigmas placed with homelessness; whether it’s among youth stereotyped as “defiant kids,” or homeless adults stereotyped as “lazy or “bums” addicted to substance. As a youth growing up and even now as a single mother, I have always felt a connection to the homeless population because I know that I could have and can still be one step away from the same situation.

I spent six years at NRS as the Outreach Coordinator and Community Engagement Specialist. During my tenure, I planned and coordinated events to promote public awareness around youth homelessness, and built relationships both locally and nationally, with demonstrated results in increasing community engagement and executing effective communication strategies. My experience includes: managing both volunteers and staff, working with boards and community partners, and presenting to a wide variety of audiences, including at national conferences. I graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications (Public Relations) from Governors State University.

On a personal note, I have two children: an eleven year old boy named Kaleb (aka K-1) and a two and a half year old girl named Koby (aka K-2); together they are known as the K-Squared. When I’m not busy working or taking care of motherly duties, I enjoy cooking and creating new recipes. I am the owner of a part-time boutique catering company called Catering by L.Marie.

I look forward to continuing my advocacy for the homeless and ending homeleness through my position at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. Please be sure to introduce yourself to me so that I can become familiar with names AND faces.

Continue to be well.

Lashawnda M. Carter

Community Relations & Development Manager