Strengthening Connections: Meet Dave's House Community Care Navigator, Jen Mauco
At Dave's House, we know that housing is only one part of the solution. Long-term stability also requires access to behavioral healthcare, medical services, community resources, and trusted support systems that help individuals navigate life's challenges. That's why we're excited to welcome Jen Mauco as our new Community Care Navigator.
Made possible through a generous investment from the BIG NOVA Foundation, this position expands Dave's House' ability to serve adults living with serious mental illness throughout Orange and Seminole Counties. The Community Care Navigator serves as a bridge between individuals, families, healthcare providers, housing resources, and community services, helping ensure people can access the support they need when they need it most.
The role focuses on coordinating referrals, connecting individuals to behavioral health and medical care, supporting transitions between levels of care, helping navigate community resources, and strengthening collaboration among service providers. As Dave's House continues to grow, the Community Care Navigator will play an important role in helping individuals achieve stability and remain connected to the services that support long-term success.
A Home Base for Community Connection
Jen will work from the LaunchPad, Dave's House' first permanent presence in Seminole County, located within the Neighborhood Non-Profit Co-Op in Sanford. The LaunchPad was made possible through the generous support of the Universal Orlando Foundation, which funded the first year of occupancy and helped establish this important community hub. Since opening, the LaunchPad has served as a welcoming space for community outreach, partnership development, donor engagement, and individuals seeking information about housing and mental health resources.
As the future Dave's House at Celery Community takes shape, the LaunchPad provides a central location where relationships can be built, resources can be shared, and individuals can be connected to the support they need. We recently sat down with Jen to learn more about her passion for serving others and what excites her most about joining the Dave's House team.
Tell us a little about your professional background and what led you to this work.
I have been working in the field of child welfare since 2004; serving children and families in their most difficult times. I have helped families work towards a goal of reunification, and I have also worked to have rights terminated and see a family through Adoption. Working in the field of child welfare, I have worked with victims of abuse and violence as well as families struggling through mental health crisis and homelessness. Connecting them to resources is the first step to restoration and healing. Most recently, I was the Director of a Residential Program for at-risk youth; using my knowledge and leadership to help underserved youth and the team of supportive staff whose mission it was to help them develop and heal.
What interested you most about the Community Care Navigator role at Dave's House?
I have always been passionate about helping others, and the position at Dave's House provides a unique opportunity for me to help those in need while helping to establish Dave's House in my home community. I have resided in Sanford for 17 years and I am proud to call it home. The position allows me to leverage the community partnerships that I have cultivated to help establish Dave's House and its future residents.
As you begin connecting with individuals, families, and community partners, what are you most excited to accomplish?
I am connecting with folks on a daily basis and working to find resources. I am excited to build a community and welcome our first residents. To set up homes that they can be proud to call their home and bring services to them that can be tailored to their needs without feeling intrusive or cookie cutter.
Please join us in welcoming Jen to the Dave's House family. We are excited for the experience, compassion, and leadership she brings to this important role and look forward to the impact she will have across our community.