by Henry Shaw, 17
On Zoom, expressions can easily be lost in translation—easily distorted, fractured, by the distance between speaker and listener. When Frankie Lane tells me about his clients at the Trinity Community Center, however, the joy that animates his gestures and voice is hard to mistake. Frankie, a social worker at TCC, describes his interactions with clients as “always great smiles, always great energy.”
For Frankie, the line between life and work is blurred. A simple trip to the supermarket, or any place in Asbury Park, might result in an encounter with a client. He loves these constant interactions.
Despite how much he loves interacting with his clients, he also acknowledges the stress it can bring, at one point telling me, “it almost feels like [I’m] working twenty-four hours.”
Because of the constant stress of his job, Frankie has many ways to decompress, including video games, meditation, therapy, and nights out by himself. He also has a pair of cats, who are the two beings in the universe he can tell everything to without worrying about HIPAA violations.
Frankie Lane’s path to social work was not always straight, but it prepared him well for the job. He spent his childhood in and out of foster homes, and tells me this experience deepened his understanding of others and enabled him to “understand what another person needs … from me.” His formal training began with a three-year stint at the Wynona M. Lipman Education and Training Center in northern New Jersey. During his time at the Lipman Center, one of the staff members, Nick, became his mentor.
Whenever Frankie struggled with food or transportation, Nick supported him, sending him a gift card, driving him to places, or taking him out for a “night on the town.” Once, he took Frankie out to see the Red Devils play, in what was “actually … the first hockey game that I’d ever been to.” Nick’s generosity and kindness “intrigued” Frankie. Even though he wasn’t formally trained as a social worker, Nick was still able to show some type of dignity and respect and treat me like a person.” The esteem he bestowed on him inspired Frankie to believe in his abilities and pursue his purpose in life. Nick is still around and an active part of Frankie’s life today.
After Winona, Frankie did not turn directly to social work. He worked various other jobs, one of which involved cooking and overseeing the residents at a transitional home. Frankie summarizes the position drearily: “It was just watching and cooking, watching and cooking.” He tried, often unsuccessfully, to create programs and schedule daytrips, and found there was very little room for advancement. He began searching for a different job.
When Frankie came across a job posting at Trinity Community Center, he immediately felt a connection to their mission: “treat people with the utmost respect, no matter what their situation is.” He went to an interview and two days later was hired at Trinity as a safety facilitator. The position was only for the winter months, but Frankie excelled and was eventually hired on as a social worker.
As we discuss Trinity’s impact in the community, Frankie cites the Bible verse, “faith without works is dead.” He sees the work of the Trinity Community Center as “putting in the footwork” of its faith. Trinity is carrying out this mission of service well: over the last year, the number of guests per night has risen from 80 to 100 and continues to grow.
One of Frankie’s main passions as a social worker is helping people with evictions. One case that “really sat with” him was that of a young woman with a daughter who was being evicted after losing her job. By the time she got her job back, the eviction process had already begun. Frankie was able to keep her and her daughter from being homeless for even a day, which, he says, “brought joy to my heart.” Frankie finds deep joy in solving problems for others. He tells me that social work has challenged him to take a more involved, “front of the line” approach to finding solutions, pushing him out of his comfort zone in ways different from those in his previous occupations.
Another way that Frankie serves the Community Center is through the Saturday Soup Kitchen. He says he appreciates how grateful the guests there are. “[Their gratefulness] makes you want to give them Michelin star meals every time,” he says. As he describes his work in the soup kitchen, I watch his features soften with joy, and his voice rise with excitement. His love for his clients is clear.
Throughout our interview, whether he’s talking about preparing food for the Soup Kitchen or haggling with landlords on behalf of his clients, something consistent threads through Frankie’s words: he is a man who deeply loves others. Though his path to social work may not have been direct, his compassion and strong sense of joy make him truly excellent at his job.
Bridge Ink 