Thank you, Pam Van De Walle, for empowering families to work toward financial stability

We are celebrating the countless contributions of Case Manager Pam Van De Walle, MSW, who will retire June 30 after serving FamilyForward families since 2014.

Pam Van De Walle, MSW

Case Manager Pam Van De Walle, MSW, is retiring, as of June 30, after serving FamilyForward (formerly Faith Community Homes) families since 2014. For 11 years, Pam has employed her attentive demeanor, thoughtful questions and compassionate communication to help the families in our program feel seen, heard and empowered.

Helping families find financial stability

Pam’s nonjudgmental, supportive approach has been key to helping families brainstorm the next steps on their journey to financial stability. With master’s-level training in human behavior, mental health and family systems — and professional experience in school social work and elder care — Pam built deep, trusting relationships with the families she has served. (Read these insights from Pam.)

One graduate of our two-year program put it best:

“Pam knows me better than my own mom because she takes time to ask me questions — and she actually listens to my answers.”

Pam’s care has always been evident not only in her words, but in her actions. She accompanied clients to child-support hearings so they wouldn’t feel alone in court. She supported overwhelmed parents at parent-teacher meetings to discuss their child’s IEP (individualized education program) by listening, taking notes and helping them process information. She routinely delivered paper goods and cleaning supplies from our pantry to families in our program. She researched other agencies and services and regularly connected clients with additional resources that may benefit them. And she checked in via text or email after stressful appointments or promising job interviews — always showing that she was thinking of them.

Mentoring the mentors

Pam has also been an invaluable resource to FamilyForward’s volunteer mentors. She offered guidance during challenging situations, helped volunteers navigate next steps, and reminded them of a powerful truth that is so easy to forget when you are in the thick of mentoring: “Change will come — but change is slow.”

There is no doubt that many FamilyForward participants have moved forward with their goals thanks to Pam’s steady encouragement. Our mentors have continued volunteering in large part because of the support they received from her.

Thank you, Pam, for sharing your skills, compassion and positive spirit with everyone at FamilyForward. We wish you all the best in retirement — you will be deeply missed!