Adam Heft, Esq., recently shared with us what his new role as President of the Board means to him, how he supports the work of the organization and its staff, and his vision for the future. Get to know more about Adam and his connection to Urban Pathways’ work.
1. How long have you been a member of the Board of Directors at Urban Pathways?
I have been a member of the Urban Pathways Board of Directors for 18 years.
2. Why did you decide to join the Board?
In 2006, I was fortunate to become connected with Urban Pathways through an organization called Lawyers Alliance which refers attorneys at law firms to non-profits looking for pro bono legal assistance. I was asked to review UP’s employee policies and I met Fred Shack and members of the senior staff. I was also able to learn about the life changing work done by our amazing organization. After the pro bono project ended I was asked to join the Board of Directors and it has been a true honor to be involved since.
3. What interests you the most about the work we do at Urban Pathways?
I am consistently impressed by the dedication and focus of Urban Pathways’s staff. Every day UP makes a tremendous impact in the lives of our clients, fellow New Yorkers who deserve our support. Across roles, our staff drives that impact and it is inspiring to be a witness to their hard work.
4. What speaks to you about Urban Pathways’ mission?
While the challenges that our clients face are complex, our mission remains relatively simple – we work to combat homelessness by providing housing and support services and we advocate for systemic change. With our mission in mind, we are providing our neighbors with the resources needed to overcome the challenges they are facing now, while working towards a future where these challenges are mitigated.
5. In what ways do you champion Urban Pathways’ mission in your day to day?
Like my colleagues on the Board, I am a huge fan of Urban Pathways. I talk about UP and the work that we do all the time to my family, friends, professional contacts, anyone who will listen. I am proud to say that a number of those people I have talked to over the years became Urban Pathways volunteers, supporters, and fellow Board members.
6. What are your primary goals as the new Board President?
Following in the footsteps of our great past Presidents, I plan to focus on doing whatever I can to help support the work of our amazing staff who are truly the heart of our organization. From my time on UP’s Development Committee, I appreciate the importance of fundraising. The more successful we are there, the more good our people are able to accomplish. I would also like to help promote Urban Pathways’s reputation. Those who know about the work that we do are consistently impressed and I would like to see more people recognize that work.
7. On which other committees do you serve?
I serve on the Executive Committee, the Development Committee, and the Personnel and Compensation Committee.
8. What are the characteristics of a good Board member?
In my experience, a great board member believes in the organization’s mission and is dedicated to supporting that mission. Great board members are willing to give their time and effort. Regularly attending board and committee meetings and supporting the organization financially are critically important responsibilities. A great board member also stays up to date on developments within and external to the organization that are relevant to our mission. Throughout its history, Urban Pathways has always been fortunate to have many great board members and the current board is no exception.
9. What do you wish more people knew about Urban Pathways and addressing homelessness?
I wish that more people knew how much good Urban Pathways does for our city. We serve 2,500 people experiencing homelessness every year. Our continuum of care – from street outreach to permanent supportive housing – allows us to truly make a difference by meeting each of our clients where they are. Homelessness is a terrible crisis but we know the cause, a persistent shortage of safe and affordable housing. The more people are aware of the work we do and learn about the lives we change the more progress we will be able to make.
