Even though she grew up as the youngest of four children, Shaniquah Harris’s older brother called her “mama,” since she was always instinctively caring for her siblings and attentive to others’ needs. That natural gift for caregiving followed her through her professional life and to her role today as Senior Manager of Bridges Day program.
When Shaniquah first entered the IDD field, she had been working in residential services, but soon realized she was drawn to a different kind of setting. Day programs seemed more her speed. “I liked being able to plan trips into the community and really fill the day with activities,” she says. “It felt like a better fit for who I am.” So Shaniquah began her journey with The Arc of Essex County in 2018, starting as a Direct Support Professional at Community Link, a program that later merged with West Caldwell Hub Day Program, and were she rose to the role of Supervisor.
That sense of purpose became even clearer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a Senior Manager position opened at Bridges. Shaniquah stepped into the role during one of the most challenging periods the field has faced, and thrived. Her leadership, experience, and natural ability to anticipate challenges has sustained her in this role. What makes Shaniquah so effective is her ability to see what others might miss. “I see problems before they even come up,” she says. “I’m good at keeping everything together before it falls apart.”
At Bridges, the individuals supported have a higher level of need, and that’s exactly what drew her in. “I was able to see the level of needs and support they needed, and I knew I could be an asset,” Shaniquah says. “Instead of being more of a spectator with individuals who had lower needs—where sometimes they’d get frustrated if I did help them—I felt I could really make a bigger difference here. Being able to give that hands-on support and advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves was important to me. I can see the things that not everyone can see.”
That attentiveness, she believes, is an art form in itself. And it’s something she brings to both the individuals she supports and the staff she leads. With experience as a DSP, Shaniquah connects easily with her team.
At the end of each day, it’s the small victories that matter most to her. “Every day when I leave Bridges, it’s a good day,” Shaniquah says. “All the guys are going home after they got something out of the day—whether it was arts and crafts, five minutes of hand-over-hand support, or getting someone who never wanted to go outside to take a short nature ride. We see progress in little things every day.”
She credits much of her professional growth to the support she’s received along the way, especially from Director of Day Programs Kristina Olszewski. “She saw something in me, and I’ve always felt supported by my supervisors and by the organization.”
Today, that support has come full circle. At Bridges, Shaniquah Harris continues to lead with heart, insight, and hands-on dedication, making a meaningful difference every single day for the men and women at Bridges. And even if they don’t call her “mama,” they know she’s got their back.