At the heart of the Poverello Center is our Directors’ Team – a dedicated group of people who bring knowledge and experience to our mission. After eight years at the Poverello Center, our Director of Shelter Services Clair Bopp embodies the values of dignity, respect, and enthusiasm for working with people.
Clair started as a practicum student at the Poverello Center in 2015, then moved into veterans’ case management. In 2020, Clair moved into the role of Shelter Manager, and became Director of Shelter Services from there.
Clair supervises the shelter staff, and gets to experience the day-to-day life at the Pov. She says there are so many things she loves about her job, but she mostly loves working alongside smart, funny, caring people like our shelter staff. She also loves being able to make connections with guests: “their life experiences, what they’re passionate about – every person has a unique story, and they all teach me something new.”
Liam, the Coordinated Entry Specialist for the Poverello Center, has worked with Clair since he started in 2021. He says he appreciates her dedication to the shelter, and notices that “she’s built relationships with clients and she has a lot of respect” from guests and staff alike.
Clair’s position means that she is always helping out and solving problems as they arise. She says she loves the dynamic nature of her job, and loves to figure out creative solutions to new situations. She also knows that there is a lot left to learn and to solve. “I know a lot less than I thought I did when I first started this job,” she says, “and I’m learning something new every day.”
Clair has begun an incredible legacy of love and care for the Poverello Center, and we appreciate the years she’s spent with us, and look forward to more time with her!