Leah M. Bradley ’97, L.C.S.W.

MAJOR: Sociology
PROFESSIONAL: Chief Executive Officer, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc.

At Worcester State, I was working to pay for college and helping to care for my younger brother. The sociology program helped me to find my calling. There is such a need for folks to go into behavioral sciences to understand the need for social justice in our community.

Having a home is a basic need and should be a right for everyone. When you are wondering where you will sleep tonight, you can’t focus on anything else. What I love about Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance is not only are we providing direct service to families, we are also working on long-term policy change to truly end homelessness.

The compassion and dedication I see in the team at CMHA to make sure everyone has a home inspires me. Those experiencing homelessness are some of the most resilient and resourceful folks I have ever met. The children in our shelters are also an inspiration as we need to be sure they have a home to grow and thrive. Homelessness has life-long physical and emotional impacts on children. Working to ensure they have a home that will provide them with the environment they deserve is most rewarding.