When a young student once hugged Lisette Rivera and said, “You smell like milk and butterflies,” the phrase instantly became a part of her. The child had come to her office seeking support through the Families in Transition (FIT) program at the School District of Lancaster, which helps students experiencing homelessness or foster care. What started as an innocent, affectionate comment from a child became a reminder of what Lisette strives to create for every student who walks through her door, a place filled with safety and belonging.
“That moment has always stayed with me,” she said. “It reminds me why I do this work. Every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and cared for.”
For Lisette, every student who walks through her door carries a story. Some are navigating life in temporary housing, others are living apart from their families, and many are doing their best to show up to school despite circumstances far beyond their control. To Lisette, they are not statistics or cases. They are children with dreams and potential.
As the district’s Site Coordinator for Families in Transition and Foster Care Point of Contact, Lisette has spent years ensuring that children experiencing homelessness or foster care have access to the same education and opportunities as their peers. Her work is not only about resources, but also about relationships. “Sometimes that means finding transportation or connecting families with basic needs,” she said. “But more than anything, it’s about making sure they feel seen.”
This year, Lisette’s compassion and leadership were recognized statewide when she received the 2025 Paving the Way Award by the Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (PA ECYEH) at the 2025 Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference, an honor given to professionals across Pennsylvania who go above and beyond to improve educational outcomes for children and youth experiencing homelessness or foster care.
Building a lifelong purpose
For Lisette, the recognition felt both humbling and affirming. “I was shocked when I got the email,” she said. “This isn’t work anyone does for awards. I share this with every person who supports our students, social workers, teachers, administrators, and community partners. It’s a collective effort.”
Lisette’s journey to this work began long before her time with SDoL. Her mother, a retired SDoL principal, and her father, a social worker, taught her from an early age the value of service. Both were born in Puerto Rico and raised their children in New York, emphasizing the importance of education and compassion. “I didn’t see many people who looked like me in education growing up,” Lisette reflected. “My parents were the ones who fought for me, and now I get to be that person for others. It’s come full circle.”
Before stepping into her current role, Lisette served in several positions within the district including special education teacher, parent coordinator, and community school director. Each experience shaped her understanding of the barriers students face. “Every position taught me something different,” she said. “It helped me see what families go through and how schools can bridge those gaps. This role brings it all together.”
The evolution of Families in Transition
The Families in Transition program has long been part of the School District of Lancaster’s foundation of care. Originally established as the Homeless Student Project, it was renamed to reflect a more holistic and dignified approach. FIT supports students protected under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensuring they have consistent access to education despite housing instability.
Under Lisette’s leadership, the program has grown to meet both immediate and long-term needs. Her office provides essentials like clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, and transportation while also helping families connect to community partners and counseling services.
“Our goal isn’t just to meet basic needs,” she said. “We want our students to feel part of the school community. That means helping them experience things like prom, extracurriculars, and graduation, moments that every child should have.”
She also emphasizes the importance of challenging assumptions. “People often think homelessness looks one way, but that’s not true,” she explained. “It can happen to anyone. Families might be living doubled up or staying in temporary situations. It’s not a choice or a failure. It’s a circumstance, and our students deserve dignity through it all.”
A statewide leader and changemaker
Lisette’s impact reaches far beyond Lancaster. She collaborates with Pennsylvania’s Permanency Barriers Project, a partnership between the American Bar Association and Lancaster County Children and Youth Services. Together, they work to reduce the time children spend in foster care before achieving permanency and to ensure educational needs are part of every decision made.
Her expertise has also been shared across state and national stages. She has co-presented at conferences on supporting unaccompanied youth, participated in webinars on homelessness and education, and offered guidance to other districts developing their own systems of care. Her colleagues say she brings both empathy and accountability to every space she enters.
“Her approach doesn’t stop at meeting needs,” said Terry Martin, Assistant Director of Student Services. “She changes how systems think about those needs. She inspires others to lead with heart.”
A reflection of family and community
Lisette often credits her family for shaping the way she serves others. “My father was that child we serve today,” she said quietly. “He grew up poor, in a small house with six people, and still built a life rooted in compassion. When I meet students who remind me of him, it just reinforces why this work matters.”
That deep sense of connection guides how she leads her team and interacts with families. “We’re not just giving out items. We’re building trust,” she said. “When a student lights up because they got a new pair of sneakers or a backpack in their favorite color, it’s about more than the item. It’s about restoring some normalcy and pride.”
When asked what keeps her grounded in a role that can often be emotionally heavy, she smiled. “The families,” she said. “People tell me I make a difference in their lives, but it’s really the other way around. They’re the ones who make a difference in mine.”
Looking ahead
Lisette’s work is guided by a simple philosophy that love, community, and consistency can change a student’s world. She is focused on ensuring the Families in Transition program continues to grow and adapt, reaching every child who needs it.
“The support will always be there,” she said. “It might not look the same for everyone, but there is love out there. You are not alone in this.”
To Lisette, the Paving the Way Award represents a reflection of the thousands of students and families who have walked through her office doors, each leaving a mark on her heart.
The School District of Lancaster celebrates Lisette Rivera for her dedication, compassion, and leadership. Her work reminds us that the path to education is paved not just with policies or programs, but with empathy, courage, and the simple belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
And sometimes, it is those small moments, like the words of a child who said she smelled like milk and butterflies, that show just how powerful love in action can be.
