Victoria Freeman from Chattanooga, TN is one of those rare people that literally make you see life in a new light. Although she has realized her share of heartache, she keeps a sunny disposition on life and bestows that upon others. Victoria is the HMIS System Administrator for the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition. She is in charge of the hands on operation of their homeless management information system and a ServicePoint enthusiast. It definitely takes someone special to choose a career in social services, however, that is just an extension of who she is. If you ever have the pleasure of speaking to or meeting Victoria, you will experience one of life’s little blessings.
The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition has a mission to develop and facilitate community actions that move homeless individuals and families to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Through ServicePoint, they are able to maintain, in consultation with other planning agencies, a data and service inventory of homeless services. The coalition constantly work to improve the quality of services based on identified needs of the homeless population. ServicePoint offers ease of operation and manageability of data and has fast become an integral part of Victoria’s responsibilities. Victoria has become an expert in ServicePoint and uses it to its fullest potential. She believes in using all resources to help those less fortunate. She has a passion for her career and the mission of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition.
Recently, the good people of Anchorage, Alaska were able to experience Victoria’s contagious and optimistic view on life. Alaska’s Coalition on Housing and Homelessness invited Victoria to conduct a two day ServicePoint workshop in December 2007. During her visit Victoria experienced the wonder of a native Alaskan flute recital. There she was introduced to the beauty of moose antlers and the native creations at a local artist studio. She speaks of meeting a Musher and her conversations about the Iditarod dog team. Her tales of Alaska are magnificent and joyful. She communicates the beauty of Alaska in a much deeper sense than most, because she experienced Alaska through her hands. Being blind does not deter nor slow Victoria. She finds more beauty and phenomenal experiences with her hands than most will ever see. Perhaps it is her passion for life and sensory for the details that are too often overlooked. Victoria’s trip to Alaska was truly a remarkable learning experience for all.
Through the Annual Alaskan Homeless Summit, she was able to show attendees how valuable ServicePoint is and its simplification of routine data processing and reporting. Attendees were amazed by the ease of reporting through ServicePoint. Until they met Victoria, most of their required reports were done by hand and consumed many hours. She was able to show them time saving tips to help them perform more efficiently. She brought a new excitement to the conference with her wealth of experience and knowledge of the attributes of ServicePoint and the benefits that can be realized through its use. Conference participants were grateful to Victoria for sharing this knowledge with them and were thankful to experience her overwhelming sense of joy and happiness.
Victoria has touted Bowman Systems, creator of ServicePoint, for being “a family, and truly caring about what people in the Social Service Industry want and need. Bowman constantly works to improve their products and stays in touch with customers searching for ways to enhance their services; they never forget about you.” Bowman Systems is thankful to Victoria for sharing her knowledge, happiness, and zest for life with us as well as others. Victoria’s enormous jubilation and willingness to share with others has touched the hearts of everyone at Bowman Systems.