By Gia Myers • Posted October 22, 2025

For more than 30 years, Senetta L. Boyd has dedicated her professional life to serving diverse populations and now her career is focused on serving older adults, walking with them through the challenges of aging and helping them thrive with dignity.

Today, as a Social Services Care Manager with Catholic Housing and Community Services, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP), Boyd brings her faith, experience, and strong advocacy skills to residents in two senior housing communities where she serves nearly 100 individuals.

Boyd describes her role as “soup to nuts” — everything from coordinating doctor’s appointments to navigating government agencies, to helping families support their aging parents.

“We really work hard to advocate for our residents and empower them so that they can live independently,” she said. “If they can live independently in their own homes, it helps them to live a long life.”

Her role is also deeply personal. She recalls a resident struggling with mental health challenges whose behavior threatened her housing. Boyd reached out to her son, encouraging him to become involved. With family support and medical care, she is now “doing exceptionally well.”

In another case, Boyd helped a resident secure a free cell phone and even gave lessons on basic use, including calling 911 in emergency situations.

“She was so excited that she could call her son and that she had mastered how to use that phone,” she said.

Boyd’s passion for seniors’ well-being is rooted in personal experience. While in college, Boyd was also caring for her father in Virginia, who had broken his hip and was living in a nursing home.

Saddened by the decline she saw in him — the once “fancy dresser” no longer taking pride in his clothes or demeanor — she worked tirelessly to move him to Philadelphia and into independent housing near her own home.

When a dispute with a property manager arose, Boyd fought for her father’s care. Impressed by her determination, the manager offered her a part-time position serving other residents.

 “The way you fought for your dad,” the manager told her, “I believe you’d do the same for our residents.” That opportunity grew into a lifelong career.

Faith continues to guide Boyd’s work each day. She recalls Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: “As you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.”

“When I see people in need, it drives me to be able to assist them with the knowledge I have from school and the experience I have from life,” she said.

She also carries one question with her daily: “What Would Jesus Do?” — a touchstone when facing challenges with residents.

At CCoP, Boyd finds her values aligned with the mission. Meetings open with prayer, she said, and always center on how staff can best serve their residents. That spiritual grounding, she believes, makes the difference in helping seniors feel seen, cared for, and valued.

One of her favorite responsibilities is welcoming new residents. During assessments, she explains available services, including CCoP’s food pantry called “Bountiful Blessings”, which she affectionately describes as a “miniature supermarket.”

Stocked twice monthly with frozen meats, vegetables, and non-perishable items from Nutritional Development Services – another CCoP ministry– the pantry often supports seniors when money and groceries run low.

“Near the end of the month, residents often run out of food and finances. They are so happy to get the food they need to carry them forward,” Boyd said.

Without CCoP’s presence, Boyd believes many seniors would face decline — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

“Even though they live independently, they need someone to notice changes or challenges,” she said. Having someone who listens patiently, she added, is often just as important as medical support.

“If this didn’t exist, many of the residents wouldn’t exist as long as they have,” she said.

At CCoP, Boyd has made a career of bringing hope, stability, and dignity into the lives of the elderly.

“Catholic Charities of Philadelphia is awesome for how they care for people, the elderly in particular,” she said. “They know it’s needed, and they work hard to make sure it’s there.”

Through the efforts of Boyd and her colleagues, CCoP serves seniors with dignity and compassion. They improve the quality of their lives through affordable, supportive housing where older adults can flourish in their golden years.

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This piece was previously published in Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s Fall Magazine. View the full magazine here.