Meet Leslie McCalla

Leslie McCalla is Director of Tier II Family Services for our Upper West Side site and joined the agency in 2018.

She oversees family shelter operations, develops new programs and supervises a team of case managers, client care coordinators, program assistants, and a housing placement specialist. Leslie is committed to team building and empowering residents with skills for independent living.

She’s committed to skills-building for herself, as well. She recently decided to pursue a Master of Social Work degree. Leslie already has a Master of Public Administration from Pace University.

The most rewarding parts of Leslie’s workday? Collaborating with her team to address the needs of the young families in shelter. Also, meeting one-on-one with young mothers to discuss their progress and next steps for transitioning from family shelter to a permanent home.

When asked how she’d describe her job to someone who’d never heard of it, Leslie smiled and said, “I help some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers during the most traumatic time of their lives find a sense of self, determination, and home all while be given grace.”

In her free time, Leslie enjoys listening to reggae and soca music, spending time with her family (who she describes as “larger-than-life”) and playing with her black and white cat Sasha Fierce.

Thank you, Leslie, for all that you do for the residents and staff of Homeward NYC!