Abby Sypek

Abby Sypek | Chief of Staff

Abby Sypek is the Chief of Staff at Everyone Home DC and has been with the organization since 2015. As Chief of Staff,  Abby works as a part of our executive leadership team to set and meet strategic goals that advance the core mission of the organization. Abby is passionate about Everyone Home DC’s mission to build a DC where everyone has access to safe, comfortable, and affordable homes. She believes that this work, at its core, is a social and racial justice issue. Abby is responsible for advancing our systems change and advocacy priorities and represents Everyone Home DC as a member of the Steering Committee of The Way Home Campaign and as a member of the Fair Budget Coalition. Abby also served as a member of DC’s HUD NOFO Ranking and Selection Committee in 2019 and 2023. Abby actively participates in many meetings of the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness. Originally from Trenton, NJ, Abby has lived in Washington, DC since 2013. Abby has a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She has worked in homeless services for the majority of her professional career. Abby loves watching and talking about the WNBA and NBA Basketball, as well as watching Bravo. Learn a little more about Abby, through her own words:

Describe working at Everyone Home DC in 3 words.
AS: Warm, collaborative, and open-minded.

What story about a individual or family who has worked with Everyone Home DC has stuck with you most?
AS: In 2017, our Street Outreach team housed one of the individuals we worked with who was chronically homeless in Capitol Hill, who had previously been averse to housing. (It is rare that our team works with individuals who are resistant to housing, but this person had their reasons.) Overtime, as our team listened to what the person wanted and built trust with the individual, we were able to find a housing intervention that he was excited about and he moved into a unit in a Permanent Supportive Housing Program.

What keeps you motivated to come to work every day?
AS: I feel valued at Everyone Home DC so it makes coming to work easy. I know the work we are doing together is both important and having an impact in our community, so I feel like I am a part of something special!

What do you wish other people knew about people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness?
AS: People do not chose to be homeless. People are homeless because of systemic racism and oppression.

On a Sunday morning you will find me…
AS: Watching CBS Sunday Morning–it’s the best show on tv!

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
AS: I really wish I could sew. My grandmother was very talented with her sewing machine and I regret that I never had her teach me. She had a flair for style and was able to create really gorgeous fashions and I wish I was able to do that as well.

What is your favorite thing to do in Washington, D.C.?
AS: Seeing the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and all of our National Monuments will never get old to me, especially at night. Coming down East Capitol Street and seeing the Capitol Building is pretty thrilling, and I can actually see the the tippy top of it from my desk!

What is something that people reading this may not know about you?
AS: I love NBA basketball. My two favorite teams are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bull. My favorite player of all time is Allen Iverson!

What is the last thing you watched on Netflix (and enjoyed)?
AS: I watch a lot of Netflix. Some of my go-to shows are The West Wing, Parks and Rec, The Great British Baking Show and I love the Queer Eye reboot!