A year and a half ago, a new position was created at PCH: Executive Assistant/Communications Specialist. For Farzana Fariha, who studied Evolutionary Biology at Rutgers University, a discipline that seeks to understand the diversity of life on our planet, and as an individual who describes herself as “always interested in people,” this position has been a perfect fit.

Prior to joining PCH, Farzana worked in a scientific lab and in her spare time on weekends, she volunteered making food deliveries in town, including Princeton Community Village. When she read an announcement about PCH’s new position, she saw an opportunity to work in a non-profit field that offered a professional path reflecting her interest in working with people collaboratively and with purpose.

The main parts of her work are to assist the Director of Mission Advancement in seeking resources for PCH to achieve its goals and to provide support to the volunteer Trustees so they can be effective as leaders and advocates.  She also highlights and promotes the organization through social media to help PCH stay connected to supporters and friends.

Farzana attends most PCH meetings, often in the role of recording minutes, and organizes and maintains PCH’s many calendars and donor database.  She especially enjoys working on PCH’s major fundraising events and has also helped to coordinate many activities within the PCH communities.   She very much enjoys getting to know the residents at Elm Court/Harriet Bryan House and hearing their stories.  She also recently helped coordinate a flu vaccine clinic at Princeton Community Village (PCV) and looks forward to more opportunities such as these.

Last summer, she created and organized a unique fundraising special event that featured a foraging expert where members of the public and local residents were treated to an afternoon of learning, using the Herrontown Woods grounds adjacent to PCV as a classroom. The program was very successful and well-attended; participants not only learned foraging techniques, but gained a deeper understanding of PCH’s work and mission.

It also introduced new faces to the mission of PCH. Farzana describes this program as an opportunity “to engage younger people in the work to support and create more affordable housing.”

Thoughtful, soft-spoken, and creative, Farzana is an important addition to the main office staff at PCH. While no two days are ever alike, she brings an organized and enthusiastic presence to the many different aspects of this position.