Title: Executive Director
Company: New Vista for Families, Inc.
Location: Staten Island, NY United States

With more than three decades of experience in psychology, Elaine Adevai is an expert on individual and group counseling and educational administration. A licensed psychologist, she received a Bachelor of Science in pre-medical studies from Douglass College in 1967, and subsequently obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers in three years later.

Ms. Adevai has had six years of experience as the executive director of the counseling and domestic violence shelter, New Vista for Families, Inc. The shelter provides psychoeducational and counseling sessions, including marriage and relationship counseling, and advocacy services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. She is responsible for meeting with clients, supervising staff and overseeing day-to-day operations of the shelter. In addition, Ms. Adevai must run training and advocacy services and perform therapy and counseling. She is also in charge of maintaining contact with the community for donations, arranging permanent housing for clients and working with private clients.

Originally, Ms. Adevai became involved in her profession after gaining experience as a psychologist and realizing she had a further desire to help others in need. The highlight of her career has been starting her own independent shelter, and she attributes her success to her perseverance and communication skills. No matter how many obstacles she is faced with, she won’t ever quit because she believes that where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Ms. Adevai’s hard work and dedication to her shelter, community, and the families she helps have earned her the 2009 Distinction Award from the Staten Island Chapter of the World of Women. In addition to her work with New Vista for Families, she is also a member of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Human Resources Administration and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Looking to the near future, Ms. Adevai hopes to expand her private practice, as well as the New Vista program in order to accommodate a few more families. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, cooking and walking.

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