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Michelle Lacaze Is There To Help At Windy Hill
Michelle Lacaze Is There To Help At Windy Hill
By Ronen Feldman
Any employer who’s ever had a vacancy for a crucial position can only hope that somehow, some way, the so-called “Perfect Fit” will apply for the job. In Windy Hill’s case, that’s exactly what happened when Michelle Lacaze became the foundation’s new director of resident services in late May.
In this year’s spring edition, Country ZEST featured the foundation’s 40th anniversary and its mission to provide affordable housing and residential services for lower-income families.
And now, Windy Hill has been delighted with its latest addition, because its newest member will fill a role that almost seemed impossible to cast.
Since its inception, Windy Hill has provided a variety of services, ranging from after school programs for children and financial training for adults to social services for elderly residents. It has expanded to include housing in five towns across Loudoun and Fauquier counties.
The responsibility to serve as its residents’ surrogate big sister, caring aunt and loving daughter would intimidate most. But not Michelle, a humanitarian work veteran since graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in psychology. Helping people has always been second nature to her.
“I’ve been thrilled already,” said Eloise Repeczky, executive director of Windy Hill. “She has a wealth of experience in breaking down barriers and finding opportunities for growth. It’s terrific to have her on board.”
Born in Washington D.C. to a French father and restauranteur and an Argentine mother, she became mindful of cultural barriers from an early age. The one constant in her career has been her work to benefit others.
Among her many professional experiences include being a career specialist, a social services official, New Hope Housing official to help the homeless, and even an English teacher during the time she spent in France.
Arguably her most challenging humanitarian position came when she also was an obvious choice to work with governmental organizations to process, plan for and accommodate incoming refugees from different war-torn parts of the world into the United States, making their first stop at Virginia military bases.
In recent years, Michelle worked with Afghan families at Quantico and Fort Lee, processed arrivals from Ukraine and, often being the only Spanish-speaker in the team, handled many cases from Central America.
“It’s the most rewarding experience you can have, but a difficult one,” she said. “Not the work, but the sights. You see people in pain, and you can’t help but imagine yourself and your loved ones in that same situation, anyone would. I’m proud of the work we’ve done.”
She also realized when it was time to move on. After moving to Marshall in an area where her brother Julien, who owns an antique shop, and sister Natalie, the new branch manager at Middleburg’s Atlantic Union Bank live with their families, she wanted to do good for the community. Windy Hill was a perfect fit.
“On my part,” Michelle said, “I want to do my best to make sure all Windy Hill residents are heard and that they know we’re here for them, not just with the common services, but anything they might personally need.”
In addition to its current staff, she’d like to add at least two more resident services coordinators to make sure they’re available to their residents in all five towns as much as possible. She’d also like to encourage volunteers to take part.
“I’d like to reinvigorate our connection with our residents,” she said, “and let them know they have a family in us.”
