EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Amanda Lemon
Nominated by Quan Williams, Support Specialist, DVSS
“I can promise you that women working together—linked, informed and educated—can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet.” – Isabel Allende
This summer, life gave us a Lemon, and the YWCA would not have it any other way. Amanda Lemon, the Assistant Director of Domestic Violence Shelter Services (DVSS), began at the YWCA of Western Massachusetts in July 2024.
DVSS is an emergency shelter for individuals or families actively fleeing domestic violence in an intimate relationship.
“My job is to facilitate the day-to-day functions of the shelter,” said Amanda. “That includes recruiting/onboarding/training new staff, developing and managing the current staffing team, helping survivor’s access necessary resources, advocating for them, providing emotional support when I can see that it’s needed and arranging transportation for survivors to get here.”
“Since Amanda started at DVSS she has been such an asset to the team,” said Quan Williams the Support Specialist for DVSS. “Amanda is a strong leader; she’s not afraid to voice her opinion and do what’s right.”
Additionally, Amanda has been collaborating with other YWCA programs and community partners to offer support groups to survivors, while providing a place for their children to go. Added Quan, “I feel like our team needed what Amanda brings to the table.”
A Western Massachusetts native, Amanda attended Westfield State University, majoring in Communication with a minor in Counseling. No stranger to the nonprofit world, Amanda has worked for the Carson Center for Adults and Families in Westfield, a DMH-funded Transitional Living Program, and as a Site Manager in a residential program for Adults with Brain Injuries.
Ultimately, Amanda’s lifeblood is human interaction and the face-to-face connection that she can build with the clients she serves. Having previously dabbled, in the for profit arena in a non-client facing role, Amanda knew immediately that kind of work was not for her.
“What made me initially want to work at the YWCA was the tagline on the website— ‘Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women’, said Amanda. “These two causes have always been very near and dear to my heart.”
“The thing that really solidified my desire to work at the YWCA was how I physically felt when I showed up for my first interview with Luis, the Director of Adult Residential Programs and Faiza, the former Assistant Director of DVSS” said Amanda. “It was a beautiful spring day. I was waiting outside for the main doors to be unlocked, admiring the beautiful campus, telling the flowers how pretty they were, soaking up the warm sun, and I was so completely at peace. I’m sure it sounds incredibly corny, but I just felt in my soul that this was where I belonged.”
“Empowering women” is not just a tagline, but also a way of life for Amanda, who comes from a long line of resilient and strong female role models. Raised in a tight-knit family, Amanda’s maternal grandmother was an Army veteran, who went on to become an RN. She spent much of her career at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, and raised six children on her own. Added Amanda, “I have one older sister. She’s my first and forever best friend.” Amanda is also a “new mom” to an 11-month-old girl named Camila.
“I believe as women, we have a responsibility to one another. My mentality is this— it doesn’t have to be women versus men, but it should never, ever be women versus women,” said Amanda.
“Our power lies in our unity. I am grateful to have cultivated friendships with other females of the same mentality. There is no jealousy, no gossiping, no competition, no judgement, and no unkind words. Just unwavering love and support. I want to see that on a larger scale for all women.”
Nowadays, Amanda feels that stakes are even higher, especially since she is raising a daughter who is also Latina. Added Amanda, “I need to not only understand the barriers that still exist in this country for my daughter, but also play an active role in helping to dismantle them.”
“I was raised to treat all people equally with dignity and respect. More importantly, I was raised to speak up when I see someone being treated unfairly,” said Amanda. “I feel obliged to be an active participant in creating the world I desire. The YWCA really aligns perfectly with my personal values.”
“I love being a part of such a diverse work environment,” concludes Amanda. “There is so much opportunity at the YWCA for personal and professional growth because of it. To have a seat at a table where there are so many different experiences and backgrounds and strengths coming together to solve real problems every day is such an amazing gift. I am excited for what the future holds.”
