Spread Love, It’s the Good Shepherd Way

There is an indescribable spirit and a profound sense of selfless responsibility that drives great people. When you come from a rich lineage of civic-minded leaders, like Lettice and her mother Digna Layne do, that spirit is inherent. This powerhouse duo, with a combined tenure of 12 years at Good Shepherd, are at the frontlines  in East New York, Brooklyn working to dismantle the systemic, socio-economic, and personal challenges people face in low-income neighborhoods.

Lettice was the first of the pair to join our family. Fresh out of graduate school where she earned a Masters in Social Work, Lettice moved rapidly up the ranks and is currently the Program Director for our Youth Initiatives programs.

“Good Shepherd is always growing and as they grow you become a part of something that hasn’t been done before. You never lose the zeal for innovation,” Lettice shared as she reflected on her career journey.

Digna, a matriarch in her community and longtime mentor to neighborhood kids, was urged by her daughter to apply for a position at Good Shepherd that reflected the work she had already been volunteering her time to do. Two years later, she is now the Community Relations Manager and has earned the reputation for being a courageous proponent for children and families.

“If you’re doing something that I don’t like in my community, as an advocate, I’m going to come after you with full strength. But if you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, you have 100% of my support,” Digna said.

These two are a force to be reckoned with and we are inspired by their commitment to uplift and advocate for New York’s most vulnerable populations.