The face of Alfreda Payne is a friendly and familiar one to residents of Beacon House. It should be—Alfreda has been the Resident Services Coordinator at this historic property on Boston’s Beacon Hill for 35 years.

Alfreda’s title only hints at the depth and breadth of her role in the Beacon House community. Primarily, she says, she is a problem-solver, assisting residents with various needs and helping them age with grace and dignity. This could be something as complex as bringing in local agencies and services, like the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission or Massachusetts General Hospital’s Connect to Wellness program, both of which have a satellite office in the building. Or it could be something as simple and immediate as helping serve a hot lunch to residents if the usual server is unavailable.

“When there’s a need for someone to step in, being a part of the Beacon House Team, I am available,” Alfreda says.

She is also quick to point out that her primary responsibility lies with tenants: “That’s who I am: the Resident—notice, Resident—Services Coordinator. For example, if someone is behind on rent, I’m an advocate for the tenant. I am the person that will try to help them work through whatever it is.”

This energy and commitment extend further than the residents of Beacon House, as Property Manager Sandra Whigham, who has worked with Alfreda for the last 13 years, makes sure to add.

“Let’s be honest, how easy would it be for someone to say, ‘You know what, that’s not my job.’ Alfreda’s never, ever said that to me,” Sandra says. “Whether it’s going to an apartment for a wellness check, or if the maintenance team isn’t available, I can call on her and say, ‘Freda, can you walk with me up to an apartment?’ Not once has she ever said, ‘Where’s Andre? Can you call Eric?’ Never. She’ll say, ‘Okay, what floor? I’ll meet you there.’ And that takes a special type of person.”

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Alfreda was motivated from an early age to understand and help people, earning a degree in sociology from Alabama A&M University. From there, she moved to New York City to begin her career working in the psychiatric and social services departments at Knickerbocker Hospital in Harlem. That job was “another education,” as she puts it.

“But it was a good experience for me because I got to meet so many different people with so many different problems,” she explains. “It prepared me to work with people and not be judgmental.”

Further north, in New England, Alfreda spent ensuing years in social service and housing organizations, several of them as a single mother working multiple jobs to help support her and her son.

She came to Rogerson Communities looking for a more stable and sustainable role. Some 35 years later, it’s clear that she’s found it.

A major goal for Alfreda, and Rogerson as a whole, is for residents to live fulfilling, independent lives at Beacon House. But that doesn’t mean everyone is on their own—on the contrary, Alfreda and her colleagues work constantly to ensure that supports are available for any resident who needs them. Those supports take many forms, from bringing in professional counselors to assist residents with insurance and financial matters to scheduling visits by community healthcare workers, who provide free medical screenings and advice right in the community room. For residents coming home from the hospital, Alfreda notes, the staff will stay on top of their discharge plans, helping ensure they include any needed assistance from visiting nurses, physical or occupational therapists, housekeepers, or other services.

“No one person can do it alone,” Alfreda says. “But if you can find that network of support… it becomes more of a successful path for any individual trying to maintain their independence and dignity while aging.”