Community Story
Robin Bluford, Housing Works Administrative Assistant
Robin Bluford came to Housing Works in 2004 to participate in our Job Training Program , from which she graduated in 2005. Robin was diagnosed with HIV in 2001, and JTP changed her outlook. “Instead of sitting back and looking at what seemed like the inevitable, JTP challenged me to rise to the occasion. It showed me I could stand on my own two feet,” she says.
After Robin graduated from JTP, she was hired by Housing Works’ social enterprise property management company, Gotham Assets, and eventually moved to her current post as Housing Works President and CEO Charles King’s administrative assistant. “Charles is passionate about our mission, but he’s also a good one to sit with and talk to when I’m going through something difficult,” Robin says.
When she’s not working, Robin spends time with her daughter, Janelle, reads (one recent favorite: Marvelyn Brown’s The Naked Truth about living with HIV), roots for the New York Jets and sings in the All Saint’s Gospel Choir. But she says she is focused on one goal: “I want people to understand that HIV is a wake-up call to pay attention to the smaller things in life and appreciate them.”
Make a difference
Women are increasingly at risk of HIV and Africa American women are disproportionally affected. Housing Works continues to confront this disturbing and often overlooked trend. And, as with all of our programs, we address the social and cultural factors—like poverty and homelessness—that are equally to blame.
Support Housing Works now and honor strong women like Robin.
Make a difference
Women are increasingly at risk of HIV and Africa American women are disproportionally affected. Housing Works continues to confront this disturbing and often overlooked trend. And, as with all of our programs, we address the social and cultural factors—like poverty and homelessness—that are equally to blame.
Support Housing Works now and honor strong women like Robin.
