A 22-year veteran of the social services field, Leslie Armstrong currently works with individuals and families in specialized housing, overseeing transitional, emergency, and assessment shelter services for VOA-Greater New York. Her areas of focus include working with individuals diagnosed with an Axis I mental health disorder, homeless individuals and families, and survivors of domestic violence.

Under Ms. Armstrong's leadership, each year, approximately 500 families and individuals are placed in permanent housing by VOA-GNY staff. Staff is trained to identify the core issues underlying homelessness and link families and individuals to community services. Stabilization and continuum care is the first priority.

Ms. Armstrong's experience, education, ability to network and collaborate, and develop relationships have afforded her the opportunity to participate in grant and proposal writing, program design, program construction, new program initiatives, and program start-up and enhancements. She has also managed the restructuring of program leadership, designed teams, and developed professional staff in efforts to improve quality care and services for the populations VOA-GNY serves.

In 2015, Ms. Armstrong represented VOA-GNY as a member of a city provider worker group to develop a Mayoral First Lady initiative for social workers in family shelters. Her contributions led to VOA-GNY's recognition as a leading provider of social workers in shelter in 2018.
Ms. Armstrong received her Master's in Social Work from Yeshiva University. She is a graduate of VOA's executive leadership development program and has received training in several evidenced-based models such as critical time intervention, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing. She is currently a member of the National Association of Social Workers.