Its always been my thing; my parents always volunteered through our church, she says.
The apple doesnt fall far from the tree.
It wasnt an easy journey to this point.
Unexpectedly pregnant at 17, Natosha decided to leave her parents home.
I couldnt face them, she says.
She finished her senior year in one semester and moved out of the house without telling her family why.
So many people helped me get on my feet, she says.
While at the shelter, Natosha received job training through a local nonprofit.
The skills she learned led to positions at another shelter, and she even became shelter director.
Thats when she realized, This is where I need to be.
This is where I can help, because I can relate, and I understand.
They thought it was just for those already sick and dying, she says.
So I made it my mission to help them understand that Medicaid is preventative.
It was a major mindset shift for those working in the field.
Over the next decade, Natosha worked a series of contract jobs for the state.
There she metSC Thrives chief development officer, Stephanie McGuire, and they hit it off right away.
When a position opened up a few years later, Natosha was Stephanies first call.
For Natosha, SC Thrive feels like the culmination of the various positions shes held throughout her career.
And yet Natoshas clients say shes available when they call (and often when they dont).
Energetic and always smiling, she makes time for them even when shes not on the job.
Its not about where I can go or what I can do, she explains.
I ask myself every day, How can I help?'"
Meet morecommunity heroeslike Natosha and learn more about howAARP Foundation Grantmakinghelps older adults to secure the essentials.
