Blog

Guest Post by Patrick Sullivan, Director of Field Operations at Nest DC

Believe it or not, I’m the only Nester that was hired with any property management experience. The field is full of folks overwhelmed by the daily drama and, to be honest, the (mostly) unrewarding nature of the work. It’s hard to be stellar under those circumstances. But hey, I was told I didn’t have a choice. I was the kid who slipped through the cracks. Poverty, foster care and an educational system that didn’t know what to do with me. I was pretty sure any job was almost out of reach. Never mind a good job. But a blend of hard work, perseverance and luck led me to a happy marriage and a career(!). I genuinely love working at Nest. With all that, I am even more sensitive to those who have less. That’s why when I get to work, it’s like coming home.

We’re not just a management company here at Nest. We’re aiming to make the city a better place. I’m not gonna lie, when I interviewed and the folks said they cared about community and gave back, I thought they were full of it. Just another part of the sales pitch. But wow. I was wrong. Those boss ladies had me starring in fundraising videos, volunteering, donating and generally thinking about others. And it’s awesome. I’m particularly excited about our work with Bread for the City. They “provide vulnerable residents of Washington, DC, with comprehensive services, including food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.” I know what it feels like to be vulnerable. It’s terrible. And I want to help. I want you to help, too. Consider a donation to BFC. I can image there are more than a few lawyers reading this! Can you help out in the legal clinic? Can you put together a food drive at work? What about a clothing drive? It’s not about making time; it’s just about doing the right thing.

We’re always looking for an excuse to give our friends at BFC a shout out. We’ll be donating $1,000 as part of our Washington City Paper “Best of” campaign. If we place in the top three for best management company (or best friend) we’ll kick in even more.