“Keeping our vulnerable population safe and healthy during this time was our top priority, and we feel we exceeded all our own expectations!”
Emma Heinemann is the Program Manager with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, where she works to provide winter emergency overnight shelter and services to the vulnerable homeless population through The Warm Room. Emma’s work with the Warm Room is essential to our community, especially during the pandemic, and she also finds time to be active in the Black Lives Matter movement and Lake Tahoe Pride.
Congratulations to this week’s 40 under 40 honoree, Emma Heinemann!
Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?
I have been the Program Manager with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless for 18 months now. In this role I am responsible for managing our staff of four and an array of direct service programs. My team operates the overnight winter emergency shelter in South Lake Tahoe, The Warm Room. This year we were fortunate enough to partner with the City to extend our shelter season to 24/7 service in order to serve our vulnerable homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since starting this position I’ve worked with the TCH team to increase our presence in South Lake Tahoe and across El Dorado County by becoming the Coordinated Entry Lead Agency for the County. We now engage with homeless individuals all across the County and help connect them with appropriate service providers.
What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?
This year has been a whirlwind. Supporting homeless individuals and operating an emergency shelter is always a challenge. Supporting homeless individuals and operating an emergency shelter in the middle of a worldwide pandemic has felt impossible at times. My favorite professional moment has been watching my team step up to the challenge of 24/7 sheltering in the world of Covid-19. We quickly amended our policies and procedures to better serve our vulnerable clients, successfully helped over 50 individuals shelter in place. Only one client contracted the novel coronavirus. Our team was able to quickly identify and isolate the client, and we saw no additional transmissions! Keeping our vulnerable population safe and healthy during this time was our top priority, and we feel we exceeded all our own expectations!
Do you have a professional/life mantra that you live by?
“No matter the amount of negative you’re presented with, five minutes from now could be your best moment.” -ModSun
Who is your role model?
My mother, Christina Cheshire is my role model. She’s taught me from a young age the importance of respect, diversity, humility, integrity, and caring for our fellow humans (and animals!). She’s been a life-long learner and a life-long teacher and has always encouraged myself and my brothers to grow a little every day, to never accept the status quo, and to give back to our communities. She’s now an active advocate for communities of color, queer communities, and students living with disabilities. I truly hope to be as strong, compassionate, and dedicated as she is in both my personal and professional lives.
Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?
I grew up in a small mountain town on the East Coast and always loved growing up in the outdoors. After graduating high school I spent many years in more urban areas while I pursued my education, both in Washington, DC and Cincinnati, Ohio. After completing my Master’s Degree and finishing several contracted training positions, I sold nearly everything I owned, packed what was left into my Honda Fit with my 3 dogs, and drove to South Lake Tahoe to move in with my then Fiancé, now husband. Here I’m able to continue the diversity and equity work I loved so much in the city while enjoying everything outdoors Tahoe has to offer in my spare time – like kayaking and hiking with the pups!
I’ve left this area several times, but always manage to make my way back to the good people of the Lake. Plus, I guess the views aren’t bad either.
Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?
I have been a semi-active participant in both South Lake Tahoe’s Black Lives Matter movement and Lake Tahoe Pride since moving to Tahoe, although I’d love to find time to engage more meaningfully with both these groups. I’m also very interested in finding more time to volunteer with organizations such as the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I love taking advantage of what Tahoe has to offer when I’m not working, so I spend a lot of time camping, hiking, and kayaking with my husband and the pups. When I’m not outside you can find me wearing my nerd hat and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends!
Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds?
I pretty much live at Black Cabin these days. It’s the perfect spot for working remotely, relaxing with friends, and a delicious bite to eat with much needed caffeination.