Jennifer Watkins is a dedicated and experienced Vice President at Crossroads Rhode Island, the largest homeless services agency in Rhode Island. With 30 years of experience in the Human Service Field, Jennifer is known for her open, fair, friendly, and energetic approach to her work. Jennifer is a motivated and compassionate professional who interacts with guests in shelters and housing with sincerity and respect. As a team leader, she effectively manages a team of 40-plus staff members, empowering and inspiring them to provide exceptional services. Under her leadership, the team has successfully housed an increasing number of families each year.

In addition to her managerial responsibilities, Jennifer excels at managing multiple programs simultaneously, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements for local, state, and federal grants. She is a sought-after guest speaker, sharing her expertise at schools, colleges, hospitals, and other local agencies and organizations.

Jennifer possesses excellent interpersonal and social skills, complemented by her expertise in time management and Housing First approaches. Known for her dependability and ability to manage a diverse staff, Jennifer also collaborates effectively with community partners.

Having dedicated 25 years to working with the homeless population, Jennifer is well-versed in trauma-informed care. In her current role as Vice President of Emergency Shelters, Housing Problem Solving and Assessment at Crossroads, she has introduced new evaluation processes, incorporating trauma-informed language into departmental documents to promote safe living spaces in all shelters.

As the overseer of 5 Emergency Shelters  and Housing Problem Solving Programs, Jennifer showcases her organizational skills and thrives in fast-paced environments. She conducts thorough research and updates materials required for grants, while closely collaborating with other departments within Crossroads.

Jennifer’s commitment to her role extends beyond regular hours, as she makes herself available for emergencies at program sites. She actively participates in resolving client complaints and conflicts and takes responsibility for developing and managing budgets for each property and program. With her wealth of experience, exceptional skills, and dedication to improving the lives of homeless families, Jennifer Watkins continues to make a significant impact at Crossroads.