As a family service coordinator at Saheli,  Rita Shah manages and monitor all aspects of the domestic violence and other violence intervention programs with help of DV advocates Salita, Gouri, Usha, Sweta, Lata and other DV advocates; supervises staff and manages caseload of clients seeking assistance; provides therapeutic counseling; arranges for client transportation; develop program plans and goals and evaluates staff progress with clients by conducting routine meetings with client and staff.; serve as an advocate for clients and staff in order to acquire services that will enable clients to functionally cope with their environment; ensures and manages program grant and help with fundraisers.

Also as part time outreach coordinator at Burlington Council on Aging  she helps senior citizens learn what supports are available in their community, from government and social service programs.

I have known Rita for many years and having seen her at the Lexington Senior center each year, I asked her on her work at the centers.

When Seniors come to the USA, they feel isolated and unfamiliar with their surroundings. As outreach coordinator I provide assistance over the phone, arrange a personal interview with them. Seniors feel comfortable talking to the person in their language and the person who understands their culture. I try to help them remain independent in their new surroundings and find resources for them. Our wed Indian Lunch program is very popular, in summer we have 25-50 people attend the program and in winter numbers go down but in average we have 10-12 people for lunch. In Burlington Senior center about 50+ south Asian take advantage of exercise program. My goal is to reach out to all senior centers in Massachusetts and help them reach out to South Asian seniors and fulfill their needs. I have worked with Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Lowell and Waltham senior centers in the past.

Also as a part time social worker for Housing corporation of Arlington I help Arlington’s residents who experience a crisis with their housing.  We give assistance to help individuals and families avoid eviction when the cause is due to circumstances beyond their control.  The goal is to keep people in Arlington from becoming homeless. The Homelessness Prevention Program is supported by the generous donations of Arlington residents.

As a clinical social work intern at the the Burlington Community Life Center I provide adolescents, young adults and families with comprehensive mental health services and social services. The center provides residents with individual, group and family therapy sessions in the areas of addiction, parenting, family difficulties, relationships, depression and many other issues.

Why did you choose to pursue your particular path to service?

My path to the social work has not been straight, I have worked as an Actuarial Analyst, computer engineer, banker and travel sales person. I was always passionate about helping other human beings and making a difference in this world before I leave the world.

What are the personal /environmental attributes that have helped you succeed?

My parents have ingrained social work in me and my siblings at very young age. They had always found a way to help the needy in our community in India and told us, that if you could make a difference in  at least one person’s life every day then you are living as a human. When I came across Saheli in 1996-97, I felt I was at home. Gouri and Usha has been inspiration to me in my work at Saheli. They have been the best mentor. Also my husband, my kids and my in-laws have been very supportive to my work.

What challenges if any have you faced in your career path

I have faced many challenges in my career, but I have always made the obstacle in to the opportunities to help me succeed to where I am today.

What advice would you give women trying to follow your career path?

 I share my life experience with my clients and help them understand their own journey to the destination.  I tell them to use the obstacle as a learning tool and learn from our mistakes. Also I believe strongly in God and his plan for our future is sometime better than what we can plan for ourselves.

What lasting impact do you expect from your work?

I am hoping to finish my MSW, LCSW by June 2014. My goal is to help families and teenagers balance between Indian and American culture.

What is the secret to your maintaining a work -life balance?

I put family first, especially my children, their physical, mental and emotional needs is the most important for me as they were growing up. I try to preplan my week. So I am always ahead of schedule for my deadlines in all of my work. Family meals are key component as, we eat breakfast and dinner together every day.

What is your approach to parenting? Any special advice you have for women on parenting of sons and daughters?

 I have open communication with both of my daughters and son-in-law. I share all part of my life with them and hope they will do the same. When they do something wrong, they know I will not be mad, as I always look at the glass as half full.

 What activities outside of work are you involved in ? (Charity, arts , community service etc)

I have been awarded as “unsung heroine of Massachusetts in 2011” I have been nominated two times for the “women of the year” by India New England News and today I got awarded 18 month fellowship by Women of Color Network, that will train me as national leader for Domestic violence. I have participated in many national conferences about domestic violence. My passion is community service. I got involved with Saheli about 17 years ago and I feel Saheli has given more to me than I have given to Saheli. As a founder of Friends of Indian Senior Citizen Organization, I want to create a nursing home, assisted living facility in Massachusetts for the seniors, who need extra help. Many of these seniors are placed in NJ as we don’t have culturally competent nursing home in Massachusetts.

What do you do for fun?

We love traveling. My husband and I have travel to almost all continents. We take one major trip every year to get break from daily routine and learn about new people, culture and food. Watching TV and reading books relaxes me.

Who are the People who you admire/ inspired /emulate?

My parents are the foremost inspiration in my life. Also Gandhiji  and Mother Teresa is another inspirations for my work. I have 45 members of my family living in Burlington who I admire very much. My daughter, my brother, sister, brother in law, uncles and extended family that is involved in many community work activities like satsang center, swadhaya and Haveli temples.

What kind of support have you valued most from your husband?

My husband is the one who found the flier about Saheli in 1996. He has always encouraged me to go for my dreams. He has always supported my work with Saheli and seniors.

What support from you has your husband valued the most?

I have been able to support him in his family obligations and with his career. When we were raising young children, we wanted to be there for them for first five years of their life. I gave up my career to be with them.

What is your personal philosophy of living life?

I truly believe in what goes around, comes around. I have been fortunate to get blessings from many families who I was able to help over last thirty years.

What was your happiest moment in life?

Happiest moments in my life was when my children were born. I has luxury of staying home with them, when they were young and it was the best time of my life taking them to story times and seeing their first walk and talk. .

When there were low points in your life  what advice did you value the most to pull through?

I love watching movies like Yaddein and Three Idiots. “All is Well” is the quote I have followed whole my life.

 Do you have a fitness routine that you would like to share?

I am hoping to set up fitness routine in 2014.

Do you have a beauty routine  that you would like to share

Good night sleep is my remedy for beauty routine.

Do you have favorite book/author

Make a Difference: America's Guide to Volunteering and Community Service.

It is important for us to give back to the community where you live. I work with Burlington town, police and school system to give back to the community.

 Do you have a favorite song/ musician?

I love old movie songs – Mukesh, Lata, Asha

 Do you like to cook? What is your favorite dish to make?

I love Khichadi. It is healthy gujarati dish, that we make at least once a week.

One fun fact about you

I am doing group therapy on dirt bike at Burlington community Life center as part of NYPUM program. I have never ridden a bike and I just learned it in August and able to do this every week with middle school students.

Words of wisdom

“If you don’t try you will never know.”

Any special words of advice for women?  Any piece of information you wish you had known growing up?

I wish I had known that as a women, I am equal to men and can do anything I want in my life.

If you had asked me five years ago that I would be graduating with BS and MSW from Simmons College in 2014. I would have laughed at it. I don’t know how everything worked out. Trust god and he will make a better plan for you.

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