March is Social Worker Awareness Month! To celebrate the work of our dedicated team of social workers, we met with Zenja Bostic, a dynamic force at Providence House Women's Justice Program. Read the interview below to learn more about Zenja’s experience in social work in the Brooklyn community, as well as the expertise she brings to a challenging position.

*Pictured from Left to Right: Arts Therapist, Olivia Porter and Social Worker, Zenja Bostic enjoy a dessert they made with residents at a Food is Power Workshop*

We wanted to sit down with our social workers from Providence House to have open conversations about this kind of work during Social Worker Awareness Month. The people in your role are certainly the backbone of our organization, and it's high time people learn about the incredible individuals supporting our community. How long have you been a social worker?

I've officially carried the title of a social worker for a solid two years, but my journey in the field spans about 13 years. I've worn multiple hats, from roles at the Acacia Center for Justice to the Women's Prison Association. Whether it's been as a housing specialist, employee advocate, or site manager, it's all been part of the rich tapestry of social work.

That’s quite a journey. It seems like you've been on a relentless pursuit of social justice, particularly in the realm of women's rights. What inspired you toward this vital work?

My drive comes from my own past experiences with feeling like I wasn’t getting the help I needed and not knowing what to ask for. Witnessing loved ones and others navigate similar struggles, feeling unheard and misunderstood, fueled my passion for making people feel heard through this work.

It sounds like your past has informed your present in a very meaningful way. Have you honed any strategies that have proven effective, particularly within the realm of women's justice?

Yes, active listening and the intention to encourage, inspire, and empower the clients with tools to work through the trauma they’ve been through. Empowering them through knowledge and support. It’s not easy to go through the system, sometimes multiple times, if you aren’t able to get on your feet. I found it hard to get to a place where I accepted my own past experiences to use them for good. But through that journey, I’ve been able to build communication skills that can directly resonate with those who have experienced strife at the hands of the justice system.

Your dedication is inspiring. How do you go about empowering the women in the program, whether through workshops or other ways to bring them together?

One of my favorite things to organize was a “Tea for the Royalty,” where we invited the women to tea while dressed up. We even did a photoshoot to boost their self-confidence. I cook once a month to bring them together as a family at the table. Recently, we created a ticket-based incentive system, rewarding small victories like when a client shows up to their daily meetings, or putting in overall effort towards improvement. Based on that ticket system, we gave away things like a television, a speaker, and we also incorporated the other Women’s Justice Program site, inviting them to come over and break bread with us. Lastly, on an everyday level, I always make sure to call the women Miss so-and-so, because it’s a sign of respect, for them and for myself. It's all about creating a space where every woman feels seen, valued, and supported.

That’s incredible, it sounds like you were empowering the women and creating community at the same time. Definitely a huge achievement. Can you share any specific examples of a successful achievement or outcome with a client that you’ve worked with?

Success, to me, isn't just about tangible achievements but also about the journey of self-discovery and resilience. Moving out is the larger goal, the by-product of all the work that’s been done here. Working through domestic violence or sexual assault to a point that they can talk about it is a big success to me. Getting out of jail and coming here and getting acclimated to here and coexisting with the other people here, it’s these small things that really set the bar.

One client stands out—they came to me grappling with the notion of gender transition, the word transition itself was difficult to confront. In talking to them, I was able to reframe transition as a universal experience, whether it be going from being young to being old, from being the “It” girl to being a grandma! Essentially, that it’s not easy to transition, but we go through so many different kinds throughout our life. Through that idea, they were able to open up and be happier in their space.

That was amazing for me; sometimes it’s not easy to talk about what you’ve never experienced in a way that resonates with a client, so to be able to pose it in a way that was relatable to them was a big milestone for that person. I thought it was amazing to see them blossom after that realization.

That is so beautiful. It can be particularly hard to feel accepted as a person transitioning from the justice system to becoming self-sufficient; of course, it can be extra hard when you don’t feel accepted in other ways. It’s so great to know that Providence House can provide that space with experienced social workers like you who can lead these discussions to make people feel heard. Lastly, is there anything specific that you’d want people to know about you in this role?

I think I’d want to remind people that this role is not easy. There’s no blueprint, although we try, because everyone is different. We sit here alone with clients as they speak on heavy issues and we take that on. You feel it as a person. It is a lot sometimes, to walk away and try to release it. Being a social worker is heavy. So don’t forget about your social workers. Check on your strong friend!

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