Focus Points 2019-2020 Annual Report

Elvia Rodriguez is Focus Points’ Director of Finance and Human Resources. She has been with Focus Points for 8 years and was instrumental in Focus Points’ continued delivery of high quality programming when our building closed due to COVID-19.

Elvia’s role is fundamental to Focus Points’ continued success. Her responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of finance, from payroll to accounts receivable to accounts payable, as well as overseeing all aspects of Human Resources.

Q: How did you come to Focus Points?

“It’s a funny story how I came to Focus Points,” Elvia notes jokingly. “I was working for an independent contractor who was doing financial work for Focus Points. As the organization grew, he was unable to continue managing the work on his own. He asked me if I would be interested. I came to Focus Points and applied. On the very day that I had my interview with Focus Points, I had had another interview at a for-profit company. Both offered me a position, and I felt inclined to accept the offer at Focus Points because I liked the idea of working in the nonprofit industry.”

Q: You’ve been with Focus Points for 8 years. What are some highlights of your job that stand out to you?

“I just like my job. There have been ups and down and the whole journey has been a learning experience. I love it. The highlight of the organization itself is all the growth that we have experienced, and all the growth that we will continue to see. Another highlight is being able to help people in the way we do. We can help people with rent assistance, with emergency medical assistance, and I’ve seen us support with funeral expenses, too. Often, we’re only helping someone once, but that assistance can make a real difference in their future. Outside of helping families, I’ve been doing nonprofit financials for more than 12 years, and it’s really what I love.”

Q: What was it like working at Focus Points and in the office during a pandemic?

“I wasn’t the only one here the whole time, but I was the only steady one because of the type of job that I needed to get done on a regular basis. I have set things that I have to do once a month every month, and they always repeat month after month. We decided not to close the doors and to keep everyone working on a remote basis. So, payroll needed to keep happening. Accounts payable needed to keep happening. We couldn’t just shut off our water and electricity. We had to pay everything from our mortgage all the way to our regular program expenses that were needed to keep going on a remote basis. I came to the office and while I missed having coworkers around, my work didn’t slow down, so I stayed focused on keeping our finances running smoothly.”

Focus Points is grateful to Elvia for the incredible behind-the-scenes work she continues to do, for her leadership and resilience during a challenging year, and for making it possible for Focus Points to continue serving participants remotely during the lockdown, and now again in a face-to-face setting. Thank you, Elvia!