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Gay Lee, LCSWR is the former Executive Director for North General AIDS Housing Development Fund Corp. Her focus/interest/expertise is on social work services and psychotherapy to homeless people. Currently, Gay Lee is writing an article on the distinction between the terms “Homeless and Houseless” as a precursor to developing supportive housing programs. In 2005, Gay Lee received the Community Service Award from the Children’s Storefront School in Harlem for her work with Homeless People living with HIV/AIDS.

Prior to her/his current position, Gay Lee was Senior Clinical Supervisor at the New Hope Guild Mental Health Center where she was responsible for providing clinical supervision to professional social workers.

Gay Lee is a 1994 graduate of Smith College School for Social Work where she received a Masters degree in Social Work;
Gay Lee is a NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition, Ms. Lee has completed a Seminar in Social Work Field Instruction at Columbia University, has an Advanced Training Certificate from the Minuchin Center for Family Therapy, an Advanced Certificate in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy from the Albert Ellis Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Ms. Lee is the current Chair of Nominations for the Smith College, School for Social Work and for the Black Alumnae of Smith College.

Since graduating from Smith College School for Social Work in 1994, Ms. Lee has worked as a Staff Psychotherapist, Senior Clinical Supervisor, Program Consultant, Adjunct Professor and Program Director. She is a skilled program developer with a focus on empowering the disenfranchised. Ms. Lee is the Executive Director of
North General AIDS Housing Development Fund Corp. a community based non-profit organization designed to meet the specialized needs of formally homeless people living with HIV/AIDS in the Harlem community. Ms. Lee also served as Adjunct Professor at the College of New Rochelle, and Columbia University. In addition, Ms. Lee has launched a new business under the name of “Legayse Corp” in Newburgh, NY, where she has begun to reach out and help other non-profit organizations develop responsible programs within their communities. Ms. Lee’s extensive background reflects the kind of energy and spirit that is required in the continuation of the building of our communities. These characteristics have placed an indelible mark in the communities in which she has so selflessly serves.

Other aspects of experience that Ms. Lee brings to the table center around counseling, gerontology, family conflict, domestic violence, child advocacy, program and housing development, and a sound understanding of the moral and ethical issues and barriers to working with the underserved population, all essentials in community building. Read Less