At ReloShare, we understand the complex realities that social service providers face every day. That’s why we've assembled a team of industry experts—former shelter directors, nonprofit leaders, policy advocates, cybersecurity specialists, gender-based violence experts, and direct-service professionals—who have been exactly where Reloshare’s users are today.
In each installment of this series, you'll meet one of our team members, hear about their experiences, and learn actionable insights to enhance your community's emergency and transitional housing strategies. Best of all, Reloshare’s expertise is available to you free of charge as a Safe Stays or Grove customer.
Ready to rethink how your community approaches emergency housing?
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Lupe Garcia— Customer Success Onboarding Associate
Previous Experience/Job Title(s): Crisis Center Program Director, Social Services Director, Social Worker, Peer Counselor
See Lupe's full background and connect with her on LinkedIn.
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Tell us briefly about your background and experience in social services. How did your career evolve before joining ReloShare?
My path into social services started during college, where I pursued a degree in psychology with a focus on behavioral analysis. I was drawn to work that centered people—especially those navigating hardship or injustice. One of my first meaningful roles was supporting children in the Migrant Education program, helping them navigate educational barriers and plan for college. From there, I moved into outreach work with families and transitioned into roles where I provided direct support to youth and families in the behavioral health system.
Eventually, I became a Social Worker Lead, where I supported at-risk youth and coached caregivers on effective interventions—all while being on-call around the clock. That experience was intense and deeply formative. I saw firsthand how systems sometimes failed the people they were meant to help, which pushed me to pursue leadership roles where I could influence broader change.
Over time, I moved into positions with greater scope and responsibility—first as Social Services Director in healthcare, then as Program Director at a gender-based violence crisis center. There, I led initiatives ranging from shelter operations and training to grant writing and coalition building. I also worked closely with our leadership and board on capital campaigns, sustainability, and community partnerships. Every role I’ve held has shaped how I view advocacy—not just as direct care, but as a structural commitment to improving access, safety, and dignity.
In 2024, I joined ReloShare to help bridge my frontline experience with a new approach to solving old problems. Safe Stays represents the kind of innovation I believe in—practical, trauma-informed, and focused on removing barriers for survivors and the agencies who support them. It's been incredibly rewarding to bring my advocacy, program management, and community engagement experience to a national platform, and to keep supporting the people and causes that matter most to me.
What specific areas (e.g., cybersecurity, gender-based violence, shelter management) did your previous work focus on, and why is this work critical to improving emergency housing programs?
Much of my work has focused on gender-based violence, trauma-informed care, and crisis response—especially in shelter and healthcare settings. I’ve worked closely with survivors navigating urgent transitions, whether it was helping a parent and their children escape a violent situation or ensuring an elder was protected from abuse in a care facility.
This kind of work is at the heart of emergency housing.
Survivors need more than just a place to stay—they need stability, discretion, dignity, and support.
My background has taught me that the success of emergency shelter programs often hinges on how well we understand the complex, real-time decisions survivors face. Whether it’s a missing ID, a need for complete confidentiality, or simply needing housing at 3 a.m., these moments demand flexibility and compassion—two things I try to center in every solution I help build.
How does your specific experience directly inform the support and guidance you provide to ReloShare customers?
Because I’ve worked in direct service and program leadership, I understand both the pressure and the purpose that drives our partners. I know what it feels like to be the one answering the crisis line in the middle of the night, needing a safe place for someone now. I also know the weight of trying to stretch limited resources, manage reporting deadlines, and support a team at the same time.
That insight shapes how I show up for our customers. I approach every call and every training with the understanding that their time is limited and the stakes are high. I help them use Safe Stays in a way that fits their unique process, and I advocate internally for features that make the system even more user-friendly. My goal is always to make things easier, faster, and more responsive for the people doing the work—and the people they serve.
From your perspective, what are some common gaps or overlooked challenges in emergency and transitional housing strategies? How can agencies address these proactively?
One challenge I’ve seen repeatedly is how often systems are built with assumptions about what survivors have access to—like an ID, transportation, or even a phone. Those assumptions can unintentionally exclude people from the very services meant to help them. I’ve also seen burnout among frontline workers go unaddressed, even though they’re often the heart of every successful placement.
Beyond those immediate barriers, there’s also something to be said about the way programs are structured behind the scenes. In some of the organizations I’ve worked with, even the most dedicated teams faced challenges simply because the workflows weren’t clearly defined, or staff didn’t always have the tools or training they needed in the moment. It’s not a reflection of the people—it’s more about how the system is set up to support them. With thoughtful planning, consistent training, and a structure that makes space for both flexibility and accountability, programs can become much more responsive and sustainable over time.
What has been your most impactful experience at ReloShare in applying your experience to help social service agencies?
One experience that stands out was working with an agency in a rural area that had been struggling to place survivors after hours. They were passionate and committed, but limited by staffing and geography. I helped them rework how they used Safe Stays to streamline their process and minimize delays. After a few weeks, they shared how it had already helped them place survivors more quickly and safely.
Moments like that remind me why I came to ReloShare. It’s not just about technology—it’s about people, and the systems we create to support them. Being able to use my experience to improve those systems, even in small ways, feels incredibly meaningful.
What unique perspective or strength do you bring to the team at ReloShare and to the customers who seek your guidance?
I bring a perspective that’s been shaped by both direct care and leadership across a variety of settings—behavioral health, education, crisis response, and long-term care. I understand the nuances of trauma and the real-world challenges agencies face every day. I’m also bilingual, which helps me connect more deeply with Spanish-speaking providers and communities.
But more than anything, I bring a deep respect for the work our partners do. I’ve been in their shoes, and I carry that awareness into every conversation. Whether I’m troubleshooting a placement issue or walking someone through onboarding, my goal is to offer support that’s thoughtful, strategic, and always centered on the people we’re all here to serve.
If an agency is hesitant or unsure about adopting new strategies or tools, what advice would you offer based on your past professional experiences?
I would remind them that
Growth doesn’t mean starting over—it means evolving with the tools that make your work more sustainable and impactful.
In every role I’ve held, embracing change—even when it felt uncertain—led to better support for the communities we served. Start small, ask for support, and evaluate what works.
We don’t have to do things the way they’ve always been done—especially if those ways aren’t working. When we’re willing to evolve, even a little, we often discover more ease, more options, and more impact than we thought possible.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
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