“I consider myself lucky to have found this job where I love what I am doing,” said Krystyna Zubik, Office Manager at Clinton Family Residence. “I have been through so many stages—I experienced so many things; I learned so many things.”
Shortly after emigrating from Poland, Krystyna heard about a job opening through a friend who worked at HFH. She joined the team in 1997 as an administrative assistant and quickly found fulfillment in her work. Over the past 25+ years, her belief in HFH’s mission, the strong sense of community among staff and residents, and the opportunity to make a difference have all kept her dedicated to her role.
“The people are so nice and super supportive,” said Krystyna. “I have had so many great years—I have met so many very good people.”
From the moment she arrived at HFH, Krystyna felt a sense of belonging—and she has made it her mission to extend that same welcoming spirit to others.
“I remember coming to [Clinton] for the first time to meet everyone,” said Nereida Santiago, Administrator at Clinton Family Residence who has worked with Krystyna for almost three years. “I was standing outside, and she came downstairs, and she introduced herself and she said, ‘Why are you standing outside? Come, let me make you some coffee,’ and ever since then it has been the same. It made me feel welcomed, like I belonged here.”
Elizabeth Pecoraino, Administrative Assistant at HFH’s Central Office who first met Krystyna when she started at HFH in 2017, echoed that sentiment.
“I immediately felt welcomed when I met Krystyna,” said Elizabeth. “She has a positive demeanor and is very attentive to staff and to our clients. Her dedication to HFH is evident through her strong work ethic.”
A few years into her time at HFH, Krystyna was promoted to Office Manager, a role in which she has continued to grow and take on new responsibilities over the years. She wears many hats—handling hiring, payroll, scheduling, onboarding, managing residents’ files, ensuring completion of staff training, and placing orders, among many other responsibilities—and handles each task with equal importance.
“Ms. Krystyna could run the building herself,” said Nereida. “She is adaptable to everything and to everyone. She brings organization to Clinton—because she keeps me organized—and fairness. She understands everyone, and she makes sure everyone understands what is going on.”
Krystyna’s passion for working with people began long before HFH. In Poland, she worked in social services and has always loved helping others. While she doesn’t work directly with the children at Clinton, she finds motivation in knowing that every role, including hers, plays a part in supporting the families and in turn creating a stable environment for the kids.
“She cares a lot about people,” said Eric Anglin, Director of Building Operations at Clinton, who has worked with Krystyna since 2001. “She is easy to get along with. She completes the whole operation.”
Beyond her operational role, Krystyna finds joy in making the residents happy. While working at HFH’s former senior residences, she cherished learning from and connecting with the elderly residents. She went above and beyond then—including a fond memory of arranging a violinist to perform for the residents—and she continues to do so now, dressing up as Santa for the kids during the holidays and ensuring the building is always decorated to her standard.
“Krystyna is an asset to me, and I know she is to Clinton,” said Nereida. “Everybody loves her. I don’t know what I would do without her. She is one of a kind.”
Outside of work, Krystyna appreciates weekends spent with her two granddaughters, who are seven and five. She also enjoys working outside—including tending to her garden where she plants roses.
