Meet Ava Zelkowitz, Groundworks Outreach Team Case Manager!

Before stepping into this role, I worked as an Outreach Advocate and as an Advocate in our overnight shelter on South Main Street. Years prior, I worked as a Foodworks assistant coordinator. I came to Vermont seeking a community more aligned with my beliefs and, ultimately, the chance to make a difference in addressing homelessness. My early activism focused on food justice and the fight for a livable wage, which fueled my passion for helping those in need. Transitioning into outreach and shelter work at Groundworks has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve seen firsthand the various struggles that people facing homelessness experience daily, struggles that extend beyond just the need for a bed or a meal. Some clients prefer to remain outside the shelter system due to various challenges, and it’s been eye-opening to connect with people living unsheltered in our community. My work has deepened my belief that visible poverty and homelessness often creates an alienating and isolating experience for those who endure it. However, it has also strengthened my commitment to this cause. Every day, I find hope in small victories like with clients regularly attending recovery clinics or simply trusting us enough to ask for help when they need a ride to an appointment. There is so much stigma surrounding homelessness, so for me, one of the most impactful ways we can break that stigma is through human connection whether that’s advocating for someone behind the scenes or just offering a smile and learning their name. A simple act of kindness from a passerby could mean more than anyone realizes. Thank you for your amazing work and commitment to the clients we serve Ava!