Kimberly Moore

Kimberly Moore, the new director of Care Café, a community outreach program of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, is also a Wurzweiler Ph.D. student in social welfare, which, combined with an extensive background in therapy and community action, gives her a unique skill set to manage this important program. Kimberly has worked in the social services arena for more than 20 years. Her style of practice blends workforce development with rich clinical therapeutic techniques with the goal of empowering people to be their best and strongest advocate. She earned her undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Deviant Behavior and Social Control and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Addiction Studies. She is also a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (MAC-CASAC) and Certified Trainer through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Kim also earned her Master of Arts in Social Work from the CUNY Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work in New York City and is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her professional experiences include working with some of New York City’s most vulnerable populations, including but not limited to, chronically street homeless and mentally ill persons, those struggling with active chemical dependency and early recovery processes, justice involved men and women, formerly incarcerated persons experiencing community re-entry after long periods of imprisonment, and LGBTQ runaway homeless youth. She has also served as an adjunct professor teaching in addiction studies, generalist practice lab, and field instruction for social work students. She also provides professional development and education around public health promotion to entry level human services professionals and interested community residents. In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys cooking, travel, and participating in community enhancement activities. Grateful for an amazing group of mentors and peers, coupled with encouragement, love, and support of faithful family and loved ones, she has accepted and continues to live her life’s passion of serving under-represented, disenfranchised, and otherwise invisible populations.

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Congratulations on becoming the new director of the Care Café. What made you decide to take on this role?

A former professor introduced the Care Café to students during one of our classes. We watched a video of an event sponsored by YU’s Care Cafe where combat veterans discussed their lived experiences transitioning from service to civilian life and the complexities during this process. The honesty and depth of the narrative evoked by the attendees was so powerful, and I was deeply moved. Learning that our academic institution had a program designed specifically to foster community relationships, promote empowerment and directly address the “needs of the day” as identified by and through the voices of community members was something that I had to be involved with. The opportunity became available—right time, right place—and I applied. It was a privilege to be considered for this role based on my professional experience, and I look forward to sharing this journey with all YU student body and fellow colleagues.  

What do you think makes Care Café special and unique?

Care Café is unique because we have an opportunity to be very creative and flexible in our community service delivery approach. As we continue to experience the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, human services professionals are called to action to serve in so many capacities beyond that of traditional direct care in social work practice. Care Café offers students and participants an opportunity to get directly involved with people that they might not have otherwise ever had a chance to reach or engage. Furthermore, the strategic planning of community organizing, principles of service and promotion of empowerment support true expressions of empathy and personal reflection necessary during the community healing process.  

What do you have in mind for Care Café for the next year?

Over the next year, we plan to continue to strengthen the partnerships with our community partners across New York City and to develop newer ones across sectors. Services will include, but will not be limited to, creating events addressing our most vulnerable and underserved populations around food justice and insecurity, nutrition, psychoeducation around cardiovascular health, chemical dependency prevention education, and reaching isolated seniors or populations which need help with connecting to services. Also, we plan to implement a variety of support groups for caregivers, parents and health care workers. Exciting opportunities have emerged for Care Café to participate in youth building activities as they increase their involvement in social justice activities. Finally, one of our major goals for the future is to develop a full telehealth program through our Care Café, ensuring that the safety of our students and community is of highest priority, and we will be sure to consider all safety protocols when facilitating scheduled activities.  

If you could have one wish come true about Care Café, what would that be?

One wish would be that all YU students and YU alumni have an opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of a Care Café event!  Engaging in community service is character-building and a vital part of community strength and enhancement.