We’re so lucky at NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley to have a staff of hardworking, committed team-players who work tirelessly at our mission of building affordable housing and enriching community life.
In this series, you’ll get to know the people behind the work.
Tell us about yourself.
Greetings, my name is Daynah Gist-Williams. I am a proud native of Providence where I currently reside with my family.
I have been married for 13 years to my husband Chef Marc Williams and we have a son, daughter, grandchildren and several bonus children! I have a B.A. from Mount Ida College and I am currently pursuing a degree in Community Development from Roger Williams University. Currently, my family resides in Providence, where I play an active role in many civic organizations; including the West Elmwood Intruders Football/Cheerleading Alumni Association.
In my spare time I am an avid crafter. I love making things beautiful that bring extraordinary joy to others. I also work part time at one of our state’s homeless shelters as a crisis intake community worker.
What do you do at NWBRV?
I am the Director of HomeOwnership and Asset Building!
I oversee a small but powerful staff of three of the Strongest Home ownership Counselors in the industry today. My primary duty as Director of Homeownership and Asset Building is helping low to moderate income families and individuals understand critical components of home ownership, including its financial responsibilities and maintenance and repair. I demonstrate how home ownership can provide meaningful opportunities to change economic viability and also provide guidance and assistance during the home buying loan process.
Additionally, I am responsible for identifying current trends and needs in asset and wealth building for low to moderate income households and individuals and develop and adjust curriculum, programming, materials, and protocols as required. For instance, we currently offer financial literacy workshops for our members of the BIPOC community. We happily serve Northern RI, Blackstone, MA & lower Southern, CT.
How long have you been working with NWBRV, and how did you start working with the organization?
I have been joyously employed with NWBRV for 9 years! I started in January of 2013. I was formally employed by Rhode Island Housing under the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) as an Intake Coordinator. NWBRV was a community partner in processing HHFRI packages, so my relationship developed through conversations with the HOC staff during that time. I was fully introduced to NWNRV through a former employee by the name of Paula Rezendes and the rest is history.
What inspires you to do this work?
What inspires me to do this work is knowing that I have the power to teach and at the same time, continue to be teachable! Because at the end of the day, we don’t know everything. This work has taken me places within myself that I never understood existed and stretched my abilities to the point I wanted to scream ‘Uncle!’ But when that happens, I grab one of my mentors and vent for a bit and realize there is work still be done. And guess what–I’m here for it!
I mean, who knows…at the end of the day, my experiences could inspire another brown girl to have faith that their voice holds value in the community. I love this work because you’ll never have the same day twice when assisting others in achieving their goals. Additionally, I love what I do here at NeighborWorks because I do it afraid and with an open heart. My mind always reminds me that I’ve got this!
What is your proudest accomplishment working with NWBRV?
One of my proudest accomplishments is our Fernwood Community of Homeowners. Submerging myself into the role of HomeOwnership was fascinating for me. By trade I am a Real Estate Paralegal/Mortgage Underwriter, so the role I usually held was generally behind the scenes where I would have never met the customer. Being the Mutual Self Help Housing Program Manager allowed me to coach a group of potential home owners towards becoming financially healthy. This financial health would allow them the approval necessary to participate in our program.
I’m also very proud of becoming the Director of Homeownership. I’m looking to make some adjustments in how we fit the needs of our changing community.
Lastly, I’m very proud of the fact that I am still growing!
