SUZANNE JOBLONSKI-PHILIP (Published by Newsday--May 4, 2005)
Community liaison for Assemb. Catherine Nolan. Student at LaGuardia Community College, paralegal major. Secretary of the PTA at PS 75Q in Ridgewood.
BIOGRAPHY
31 and native of Canarsie. Married, one son and two stepchildren. Lives in Ridgewood.
FOCUS
"I am someone who likes to help people and I don't rest until I get answers. That's why I love my job. It doesn't feel like work because it's an extension of what I like to do anyway. In fact, when I first came here on an internship from LaGuardia, I did work for free. And my background came in handy. As a reporter for New Youth Connections [magazine] in high school, I learned where to dig for information and what doors to knock on. I also know this neighborhood and the problems that many of the constituents face. I also know the frustration they feel of not getting something resolved quickly or fully enough. I know where they are coming from."
CONCERN
"Many of the people coming into this office have problems with their benefits, like public assistance and Social Security. There is also a big need for affordable housing for all age groups, but especially for seniors, who are actually being displaced. Many seniors live in two-family homes and they have no protection. They are not covered under regular rent guidelines and are at the disposal of their landlords. And if the rent goes too high, many of them have no place to go. It's a very serious problem."
LOOKING AHEAD
"Hopefully I'll graduate from LaGuardia in 2006 and then I'd like to continue my education. I want to do some kind of advocacy, perhaps even law, with a focus on public interest. I know firsthand what it's like to have a child with special needs and how hard it can be to get the right services. That's another reason why I take my job seriously. But I also know those services are out there, even though they can be difficult to access."