When asked what she brings to her role as a Case Manager at Project Guardianship, Yajaira Brown remarked, “I treat everybody as a human being.”
This simple, yet profound statement underscores the kindness and empathy with which she tends to her 25 clients, who need help managing their lives due to Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness, and other issues that interfere with their ability to make decisions.
Because they don’t have relatives or friends willing and able to care for them and no money to pay for a private guardian, PG’s 200 court-appointed clients are supported by teams of multidisciplinary experts. In addition to Yajaira and her fellow case managers, PG’s model of care includes finance associates, housing and benefits specialists, and attorneys, all working together to address each person’s unique needs.
“I strongly believe the system we have at PG works because the teams don’t just meet when a problem happens, we meet every two weeks, and I have my supervision,” said Yajaira, who goes by Yadi. “I feel very supported. We may have different ideas and disagreements, but we are respectful and doing what’s best for the client.”
Once a month, Yadi visits her clients to check on their health and wellbeing. No matter whether they reside in a private home, in supportive housing, or in a care facility, Yadi is there for them 100 percent. She provides these individuals with companionship; she plays music and reads to them; she accompanies them to appointments, organizes outings, and handles countless tasks. Most of all, Yadi serves as her clients’ committed advocate.
Her advocacy takes myriad forms. One client, Yadi shared, had an aide who was abusive. “I changed that,” she said. Another needed their apartment painted, which she facilitated. She tracked down a marriage certificate for a third client, preventing that person from losing their home. Her clients trust her and look forward to seeing her.
“I am improving my clients’ lives,” said Yadi with a smile. “I feel happy because I know they are happy.”
Early on, Yadi knew she would make her mark on the world. “When I was a little kid, I always said to my mother two things: I’m going to go to New York, and I’m going to be somebody who helps a lot of people,” recalled Yadi, who grew up in the Dominican Republic.
As she predicted, Yadi moved with her family to the city when she was in middle school, settling initially in the Bronx before relocating to Brooklyn, where she still resides. After working at Woodhull Hospital in the medical records and pediatrics departments and for the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), she became a case manager for a community guardianship program in New York.
Seventeen years later, it was time for a new challenge. Yadi joined Project Guardianship in 2023, bringing with her extensive experience in the adult guardianship space and a deep commitment to standing up for the most vulnerable among us.
Navigating particularly complex cases can be challenging. “Sometimes I want to be able to do something for my client, like with Medicaid or housing, but I can’t. The system is very difficult,” said Yadi, who earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from Boricua College. “I have to problem-solve and work around issues.”
There are hard days too, especially when a client passes away. Knowing she cared for that individual to the best of her ability gives her peace. Yadi was also the devoted caregiver for her mother, who recently passed away. “I miss my mom. We went through a lot, but we did it. I took care of her at the end of her life.”
Yadi emphasized how blessed she is, balancing her rewarding career with a loving home life, which includes a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. “I try to raise my kids together with my husband in a humble way,” she said.
“We’re a close family. As long as we’re spending time together. We’re even happy just to sit down and watch a movie that makes us laugh. We don’t need to do big things to be happy, just all the little moments.”
During the month of June, Project Guardianship is spotlighting the critical work of caregivers. Honor the caregivers in your life by making a donation to Project Guardianship and sharing their stories.