Member Spotlight: Jennifer Stracick

Jennifer Stracick, DSW ©, LCSW, a member of BPW/St. Petersburg-Pinellas, is Executive Director at ALPHA House of Pinellas County. Jennifer is in charge of the fiscal and clinical of the entire agency and supervises a staff of 18.

Being with ALPHA for over 16 years and being a Homeless Teen Mother myself, I can relate and identify with the residents we serve. I did not have a place like ALPHA House to go to and was forced to place my son up for adoption when I was 16 years of age. I spent the next 8 years earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Children and Youth to help Moms who want to keep their child. I am currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and finished my first year of my Doctoral program in social work. 

Fifteen years ago, I reunited with my son and am pleased to say he had a wonderful life. We have a strong relationship and are in contact often. His family is supportive of our reunification and adopted two other children as well. Although the scars of having to say goodbye to him and not seeing him grow up will never go away, I know it was the best thing for my son and his future. 

I am dedicated to working with homeless women and babies and understand that neglect and abuse by a parent can easily confuse the brain into thinking and wanting a family that “cares”. This is when you find the average ALPHA resident who seeks a family but is still not able to have it even after being pregnant. Our population and agency is unique and we are the only agency in Pinellas County that serves the population we do. I am blessed each day by being able to make a difference in a girl’s life and thank all those who contribute to ALPHA as without that support we would not be where we are today.