I Am Project HOME: Mark Williamson
“I think God put me in a good place. I’m very happy here. I’m home.”
The first thing you notice about Mark Williamson is his warm and welcoming smile. You might also notice the crisp blue uniform emblazoned with the Project HOME name and logo. And between the two, you would begin to understand why he is such a valuable member of our community.
Mark is a long-time staffer in our Facilities Management department, and plays an important role in helping us maintain safe, secure, dignified, and high-quality residences. Along with his impeccable professionalism and strong work ethic, he also exudes the spirit of our mission and values in countless ways.
A decade ago, Mark was working with a private cleaning company which was contracted for janitorial services at some of our residences. He was impressed with what he saw of Project HOME, but he hardly expected what happened: One of Project HOME’s senior management staff approached him, explaining that we were going to transition to internal janitorial and maintenance staff, and asked if he would be interested in joining our team. He smiles, recounting the story, and says simply, “It’s been a good almost ten years!”
For the next nine and a half years, he worked at a variety of Project HOME residences, the bulk of that time as janitor at our Women of Change safe haven. “Working there gave me a whole new outlook on homelessness,” Mark says. “You can’t help but care for the residents there.” He felt he was not only a janitor, but also “somebody who had an ear to listen” to the women. Program Manager Robin Bonfield agrees: “It takes a very special man to work at Women of Change. Mark was such a gentle and caring presence. It was inspiring and beautiful to see how respectful he was of everyone.”
Recently, the North Philly native was offered a promotion to maintenance technician in charge of our JBJ Soul Homes facility, a sparkling new building that is home to 55 persons. He admits the task was intimidating at first, “but I like to take on the challenges each day offers.” And the spirit of his work there continues: “Mark is a dedicated, reliable employee, who diligently takes pride in his work,” says Shelanda Downing, Property Manager of JBJ Soul Homes. JBJ Program Manager Christina Fidanza affirms that Mark “is very personable, and gets along with everyone in the building. He is always pleasant and willing to help us out in any way he can.”
Mark firmly sees himself as part of the Project HOME mission and deeply believes in our core conviction that “none of us are home until all of us are home.” “I think God put me in a good place,” he says. “I’m very happy here. I’m home.”
And thanks to Mark, many others feel a sense of home – not only in well cared-for residences, but also in his daily affirmation of the dignity of others and the spirit of genuine community and love.
