You may think that beauty and medically tailored meals don’t overlap much, and on paper, I see how that’s true. In our mission, however, we come together for the heart of our work – dignity. There is dignity in the sharing of a meal. There is dignity in connection, even through a handoff and smile. There is dignity in knowing somebody is sick, aging, or dying and refusing to turn your back on them. Our founders knew this mission at the height of the AIDS Epidemic in 1985, serving those who had been cast aside and their needs ignored. 41 years later, we live this mission in new ways every day.

I’ve been so blessed to work at God’s Love since September, where I’ve put a new meaning to Pride Month – getting to serve so many LGBTQ+ New Yorkers in need. I’ve gotten to know clients who have been shamed by family, isolated by peers, harassed at work, discharged from the military, all because of who they are. I’ve learned more about myself, my community, and the ever-present need to serve and dignify others.

I am so grateful to L’Oreal for their support to me personally and to God’s Love We Deliver through their Roots of Pride Masterclass. As we walk in NYC Pride this year together, spreading the word and the love, we honor where we have come from.  While Pride is a time for joy, celebration, and the uplifting of love and identity, it’s also a call for reflection, unity, and community building. It’s a time to remember our roots, but also to dare to do better next year, and every year there on out. I believe that begins, as many communities do, with helping a neighbor.

Payton Drefcinski, Behavioral Health Program Administrator

Payton is a well-rounded social servant and researcher with focuses on mental health and social programming. She applies these skills to her role as our Behavioral Health Program Administrator, where she facilitates social skills and behavioral awareness training across all departments. Payton uses her clinical experience working on an Assertive Community Treatment Team to address client concerns and to facilitate our wellness-centered CONNECTED program for Veterans. Payton has her B.S. in Sociology and Criminology from Ball State University, where she was awarded the Provost Prize. She also received her M.A. in Human Development, Research, and Policy from NYU Steinhardt.