Interview with Pam Tait-Kwiatkowski

As I sit down to talk with Pam I take a moment to glance around her office. It’s a large space, with seating for the clients she works with and photos of her family lining the cabinets. I know from previous conversations that she is especially happy with the walls – this summer a group of World Changers volunteers removed the horribly dated wallpaper and painted everything a crisp white. Today, Pam told me, she would be free to talk. Monday is a “paperwork day”.

Q: How long have you been with NHS?

A: Twelve years.

Q: What’s a typical day like for you?

A: Appointments, paperwork, walk-in inquiries, phone inquiries…

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: I would have to say helping the client fulfill their goals.

Q: What is the most difficult part of your job?

A: Telling them that sometimes their goals are out of reach right now. That sometimes their expectations are too high.

Q: What would you say to someone considering whether or not to call NHS?

A: That it’s better to do something than to do nothing. Because even if we can’t help them with their issue, we can get them to the appropriate agency.

Q: How do you want clients to remember you?

A: Truthful. (pause) Honest. That’s pretty much it. And efficient, I like to be efficient.

Q: What drives you every day?

A: Probably the challenge of the position. The changes, it’s a constant series of changes, always something different.

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