Staff Spotlight: Allyse Culcasi

Name: Allyse Culcasi

Where did you grow up?
Half Moon Bay

Position at Family House:
Hospitality Services Coordinator

Reason for working at Family House:
Having the opportunity to help out in any way possible and being there for families (whether it is providing a smile or a shoulder to lean on!) is the reason why I work at Family House.

Favorite thing to do in San Francisco: 
My favorite thing to do in San Francisco is to spend a day at Ocean Beach with a good book, some yummy food, and great company.

What makes you special?
We are all special in our own special way!   (And I can juggle….Is that special enough??)

What's the story behind the photo?
The photo is of me and Suzy, who is like a second mom to me. I spent a year and a half living with Suzy and her two children in Sydney, Australia. This photo is when she came to visit me in San Francisco and we took a ferry and spent the day in Sausalito. It was a day filled with sunshine, love, and laughter!

Staff Spotlight: Monique Ngo

Where did you grow up?
San Jose

Position at Family House:      

Hospitality Services Coordinator

Reason for working at Family House:

I used to volunteer for Family House when I was an undergraduate student at the University of San Francisco, and remembered how much I loved working with the staff and how great it was to be a part of something that provided so much support and empathy to families with children with cancer or other serious illnesses. Considering my mom has been sick for a majority of my life (kidney failure, then cancer), I know how an illness can affect not only the one who is sick, but the entire family as well. I wanted to be a part of the staff at Family House in order to provide families the support and love they need in order to hopefully lessen some of the stress they may be facing.

  

Favorite thing to do in San Francisco: 

I love trying new restaurants around the city! There are just so many different places I want to go and try that my list just keeps getting longer! I also love exploring around the city. There are a lot of little gems around the city and whenever I have free time I like to go adventure to find them.

What makes you special?
I always have colorful hair! I enjoy dyeing my hair different colors and I have a tendency to change it up often. Having colorful hair just makes me feel happy and so far it seems to put a smile on other peoples faces, too, so that makes me even more happy!

What's the story behind the photo?
This photo was taken on my birthday this year when I was at the Academy of Sciences with my partner. I love being around plants and nature so when I saw this wall of plants it just made me happy so I wanted a picture with it. So my partner started to take pictures of me standing in front of it but instead of counting off or telling me he was going to start to take a picture, he just kept snapping picture after picture, during which I kept moving. This is one of the photos that resulted from the “photoshoot” my partner decided to have of me standing in front of a wall of plants. My friends and I also used to joke how I could just blend in with trees and plants because my hair was so green during this little “photoshoot” -  I kept joking how my hair was a part of the plants!

Staff Spotlight: Monica Rodriguez

Name: Monica Rodriguez

Where did you grow up? Born in San Jose, Costa Rica and moved to Oakdale, California when I was 3 years old. Grew up in Oakdale, and moved to San Francisco when I started college at San Francisco State.

Position at Family House: Hospitality Service Coordinator

Reason for working at Family House: I have a passion for helping others and being a support system to anyone who is going through a rough time. I have a big heart and want to spread love in any way I can!

Favorite thing to do in San Francisco:  Catch a Giants game and eat lots of Ghirardelli chocolate.

What makes you special? I’ve got red lips, a heart of gold, and deep love of Hispanic cuisine!

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Eastland

Name: Sarah Eastland 

Where did you grow up? Sebastopol, CA

Position at Family House: Hospitality Coordinator 

Reason for working at Family House: I love getting to work directly with the families who stay at Family House. 

Favorite thing to do in San Francisco: I’m currently on the hunt for the best burger in San Francisco. The research for this project has been one of my favorite things to do. Ask me for some recommendations! 

What makes you special? : I have lots of unusual skills – I can juggle, tap dance, and I’m a trained balloon artist. 

What's the story behind the photo? 

This picture was taken by my lovely coworker, Anna Lark, during a day of adventures.