Please welcome Friendship Center’s new Associate Director Amy West, M.A.

Amy West brings to Friendship Center a 25-year track record of public sector management, most recently as Program Administrator of an Adult Residential Facility at Devereux California, where she was recognized for her skills in problem-solving and collaboration.

Amy earned a B.A. in public sector management and an M.A. in Public Administration, both from Cal State Northridge, where she graduated with distinction.

Amy began at Devereaux as program staff, gaining valuable hands-on experience in direct care. By 2005 she became a case manager of supported living, gaining increased responsibility in program administration.

Amy began at Devereaux as program staff, gaining valuable hands-on experience in direct care. By 2005 she became a case manager of supported living, gaining increased responsibility in program administration for Devereaux’s various programs.

While Amy, like all caregivers, continued working at a demanding pace during the Covid-19 quarantine, it was also a time of career reflection.

“The pandemic did make me reevaluate my life,” she says. “I wondered if it was time for me to apply my public health skills to a new area.” After watching many of her family members struggle to care for their elderly parents she saw a great need.

“I saw first-hand how all-encompassing it was for them to navigate senior care,” she notes. “I’ve personally seen it stress out a lot of people trying to balance work, family life, and a social life while caring for a parent with dementia or other age-related illness.”

In short, Amy saw the great need for what Friendship Center provides: respite for caregivers and quality day care that provides a meaningful program of support for their loved ones. “The position aligns perfectly with both my experience in the public health sector and my desire to help families who need a break from daily caregiving.”

You can reach Amy via email at [email protected], or by calling (805) 969-0859, ext. 20.