“I thought I wanted to leave schools. But when I tried something else, I didn’t enjoy it because I wasn’t around kids,” said Sofia Gaston, Education Program Coordinator at Prospect Family Residence. “Then I finally found HFH, and it seemed like something that I would like to do.”
For Sofia Gaston, all roads led back to education. She began her career working at a group home for adolescent girls in New York City and later at a school for children with special needs.
“I’ve always liked working with kids. Even when I was younger, I did a lot of volunteer work. I worked with my church youth group retreats, and that led me to working in a group home and eventually becoming a teacher.”
After getting married, Sofia and her husband moved to Puerto Rico, where she spent nearly 20 years teaching first, second, and third grade. When she eventually returned to New York City, she continued working in school settings as a family coordinator at a charter high school and then as a parent coordinator at a public middle school.
Although Sofia later stepped away to pursue other interests, she found herself missing the work. She felt called back to education when she read about the Education Coordinator role at Prospect on a job search site. This June marks two years with HFH.
“It has been really good working with the kids,” she said. “It’s good to be back in a classroom setting.”
In her current role, Sofia oversees the Afterschool & Recreation program at Prospect. She manages staff, plans events and activities, and ensures that all program requirements are met. She currently works with team members who she says collaborate well and genuinely enjoy working with the kids, something she believes makes a big difference.
Lead Teacher Giovanni Yapor, who has worked with Sofia for about two years, says one of her greatest strengths is the way she connects with the entire Prospect community.
“When Sofia first came, she was curious to see how things ran here. She made it her business to get to know every person and every corner of this building,” he said. “I have seen her become more than comfortable and confident in this role. She truly believes in what we do and always looks for ways to help our students and their families.”
Marisol Santiago, Administrator at Prospect, emphasized Sofia’s team-oriented approach, noting that she actively incorporates staff feedback into the program. She added that she and Sofia share a strong vision for the program and build on each other’s energy and enthusiasm. Sofia’s dedication is clear in her relationships—not only with her coworkers, but also with the kids and their families.
“It feels like I’ve already been working with her for 15 years. We really mesh,” said Marisol. “She has a fantastic relationship with the parents. She comes in with a smile on her face, and you can see with the kids … she generates that positive energy in the program.”
While creating a fun and welcoming environment is key, Sofia also focuses on tailoring programming to meet the needs of each group—considering age, interests, and opportunities for skill-building.
“With every group, it’s a little bit different,” she explained. “Sometimes they don’t know how to play a sport together. They’re used to being alone or just with their sibling. So, we ask, ‘How are we going to work together? How are we going to build community?’ It’s important that they learn something and take something with them from being in the program.”
Her passion is visible across departments, and her coworkers consistently point to her positive energy and commitment.
“She’s excellent at running the Afterschool program,” said Keith Martinez, Housekeeping Supervisor, who helps maintain the program spaces to ensure they are safe, clean, and welcoming for the kids. “She works well with the kids and is very determined. She wants what’s best for them. It’s like she’s taking care of her own kids. There’s always a positive energy when it comes to her.”
According to Saira Andujar, Assistant Administrator at Prospect
“Being a people person really strengthens her in this role because she’s able to connect with the families. Her energy draws people in. They want to know who she is and what the program is about.”
For Sofia, it’s the sense of community that keeps her going, not just the kids and families, but her coworkers as well.
“[Prospect] is in my neighborhood,” she said. “Even when I’m walking around, and I’m not at work, I see the people that work here. It’s nice to see them, and it’s nice to see the kids. It’s nice to be around your community.”
She also finds motivation in the workplace culture itself.
“The people that work here—this is a place that people want to stay,” she said. “I’ve met people who have been here 5, 10, 15 years, and that says something. I like where I work. I enjoy coming here. I enjoy the people I work with, and I enjoy the families I work with.”
Outside of work, Sofia enjoys eating out at restaurants and traveling to new places with her husband of 30 years.
