Pulling a household out of homelessness and into stable housing is a large part of Fair Tide’s mission. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the hardest work comes after the keys are handed over and the dishes are in the cabinets. Supporting clients on their journey to conquer obstacles and remain housed is at the heart of Fair Tide’s ongoing work. And case manager, Kerry Brent is Fair Tide’s unsung hero responsible for this immense job.
Kerry has been a part of the Fair Tide team for 2 ½ years bringing positivity and a dedicated work ethic that are both infectious and necessary for the task at hand. Her big heart, balanced with the right amount of straightforward honesty create almost instant rapport with clients. Fair Tide wouldn’t be the same without her, and more importantly, neither would the lives of the individuals she meets with on a regular basis.
Like many people, Kerry’s career path has not been a straight line. Her first introduction to the field of social services was during her time at a group home for boys where she worked as a counselor. Intrigued enough by the work, she went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in counseling at UNH. While she also obtained a certificate to be a school counselor, she quickly realized that wasn’t the environment in which she was meant to spend her career. Instead, she pursued a job working for the state of Maine as a child protective worker where she dedicated about a year before shifting her priorities to raising a family of her own. Upon her return back to the traditional job market, she took a part time position as case manager for Health Affiliates of Maine, where she works with recipients of Maine Care to help connect them to resources and find stability. The work is very similar to Fair Tide’s case management role, which is why Kerry quickly applied for the position (and was quickly hired) when the job became available a few years ago. She now maintains both positions part time – a truly remarkable juggling act!
Every day at Fair Tide is different since the work is dictated by the clients and their specific needs fluctuate day-to-day, hour-to-hour. This, she shared, is challenging but also one of the most rewarding parts of her job. The ability to be on the move, meeting clients in the community and not being tied down to a desk is a perk she thoroughly enjoys. She goes on to explain that there are other, more systemic challenges that she faces in her work including a lack of resources and shrinking safety net. Most clients struggle with mental illness which prevents them from maintaining steady, gainful employment. Even those who are able to work are often in minimum wage jobs that bring in a measly income. Either way, everyone finds it near impossible to afford basic necessities like groceries and gas.
Kerry’s face brightens when talking about her favorite aspect of the job; watching clients overcome these extreme adversities. Knowing that she played a role in even the small successes fills her up and keeps her motivation high during the difficult days.