When Debbie Seigle began working at Catholic Charities as an accountant in 1990, she never imagined that 18 years later she would be managing a senior housing building.

“After eight years in accounting, I just wanted to feel like I was contributing and making a difference. I wanted to work with people,” Debbie says.

As the manager of Abingdon Senior Housing, Debbie makes a difference in the lives of the residents every day and she loves it.

“It’s not like a job. I am part of a huge family that I adore and I get paid for it!” Debbie says. “The residents are such a lovely group. I feel like I’m surrounded by very caring people at Catholic Charities.”

The feeling is mutual. According to Barbara Nehms, Regional Property Manager, Division of Housing Services, “Many of the residents are living in an apartment environment for the very first time in their lives, and some are also adjusting to the recent loss of a spouse.  When I visit Debbie’s building, residents often tell me that they feel they have a housing manager who really cares about them, and indeed they do.”

Since leaving her accounting post, Debbie has made her way through the Housing Division, first as housing associate at Trinity House for eight years and then as the assistant manager at Reister’s Clearing for a year.

Now at Abingdon, Debbie is responsible for managing four employees, ensuring the building is in compliance with all HUD rules and regulations, managing the budget, interviewing applicants, maintaining the wait list, ensuring any maintenance work is completed, and attending to any resident concerns or issues.  Her biggest challenge is dividing her time between the paperwork and the residents.

When Debbie moved into the Housing Division, she brought not only a desire to work directly with seniors, but also a thoughtful and patient style with all people. That style has set the tone for an outstanding community and an outstanding employee team at Abingdon Senior Housing,” Barbara Nehms says.

Debbie, who describes herself as an avid reader and loves to sew, spends most of her free time with her seven grandchildren.