Since 2016, Faith Boyd has brought deep care, compassion, and public health expertise to her community in Tacoma and her role as a board member on ETS’s board of directors.
Faith has over 25 years of experience as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP). With roots and a home base in Tacoma, Faith realized her calling to help others while in high school when she volunteered as a Diversion Teen Counselor at Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center. She continued following her passion by studying psychology, sociology, alcohol studies, and music at Washington State University. In addition, she was selected for the Washington State Governor’s Internship program in the contracts office of Employment Security. Her responsibilities included training, reading manuals, and conveying pertinent information to a newly hired blind attorney, as well as processing and tracking multiple contracts to completion. Based on Faith’s servitude experience, her motto became “If I can help one person, then I will have made a difference.”
In the early ’90s, Faith became a Drug Addiction Treatment Counselor at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, where she deepened her understanding of methadone treatment. Though controversial at the time, she championed methadone’s use as a gold standard for treating substance use disorder and witnessed many patients rebuild their lives—finding stability, housing, family reunification, improved mental health, and reduced relapse risk through care and support.
Throughout her career, Faith’s roles ranged from adult and youth outpatient care to case manager for patients living with HIV/AIDS and for other vulnerable populations in her community. She has also held positions as a counseling supervisor, employment and training specialist, and contracts monitor with follow-up reports through the State of Washington. In 2016, she learned about the open position on ETS’s board of directors from a co-worker and friend. Faith was excited about the possibility of lending her experience and expertise to move ETS’s mission of transforming the lives of individuals and communities forward.
During her time on the board, she held the position of Vice President for two years and served on the Racial, Equity and Social Justice Committee along with Quality and Outcomes Committee. When she isn’t working, Faith finds joy in spending time with family and friends, gardening, singing and playing keyboards with her church’s music department, actively working with Reach House Association in Tacoma, and giving back to her community by bringing the same passion and commitment she has brought to ETS in the last nine years.
In this Q&A, Aistė Manfredini, Communications Specialist at ETS, sat down with Faith Boyd, board member of ETS’s board of directors, to learn what has driven her commitment to the organization, how she has seen the organization and its mission evolve, and her hopes for the future of ETS as she departs from her role.
Q: What inspired you to join ETS’s Board of Directors?
A: The position was brought to my attention by a co-worker who is a friend whose spouse then was a nurse at ETS and said, “Hey, they have a position on the board, which you would be great for. Would you consider that?” I was thinking how I have a little bit more free time, and I had always thought I would love to serve on the board and lend any services that I have from my experience, my path, everything that I have done in my career. Not because I was a guru, not because I had all of the information, but because I had enough passion and empathy, had been through enough transitions, and had the experience in my career to contribute to the board.
Q. What makes ETS’s approach to recovery and street-based outreach unique?
A: I like the fact that outreach staff go into the community to serve people rather than having them come in for services, meeting them where they are. The mobile units are valuable assets in delivering services. I also know that staff will provide the services to patients with compassion and empathy. They help meet their basic needs and provide resources. Outreach staff can deliver medications, which is a unique approach in and of itself. It’s incredible! And, to find people who are willing to go out there to do this challenging work in difficult conditions is even more incredible to me.
Q: How have you seen ETS evolve since you joined the board in 2016?
A: Where do I begin? From the board members to the way we do services, from different CEOs to Steve Woolworth, it has been a progressive move forward. The organization has been resilient. We have bounced back from so many challenges. We now have the highest number of board members ever. The variety of people come with a wealth of information and experience. Not all work in the area of substance use treatment but all are willing and wanting to learn how to help. That desire to learn is awesome. Now, we have a revised strategic plan and the strategies that will drive the plan to success. I see more staff involvement and in the productivity of ETS’s business. The organization is headed in a great direction for growth. ETS has encountered a flood and other challenges and yet we are still standing. We could not do it without awesome leadership, but it also takes a whole village. Every part of the organization is essential. Also, the increase in patients and staff members and the fact that turnover is low is noteworthy. Hearing the voices of the staff and making the necessary changes to make it a better organization is incredible to me.
Q: What moments or stories stand out to you that show ETS’s impact in communities in Western Washington?
A: Watching the Roots of Recovery event grow from luncheon to now a gala stands out—from year to year, it has generated more funding to support the cause. Because of the donations given, more individuals are served. The testimonials are heartfelt. Thank you, Tavia Rhodes and staff, for a job well done.
Q: What are your hopes for ETS in the coming years?
A: To continue to grow, thrive, and transform lives. To be successful and to be healthy as an organization and the population of people we serve. I believe that it would be advantageous to have a transformation in the organization so that when people seek services, they see people who also look like them. I would also like to see Steve and ETS’s leadership continue moving the organization forward.
Q: What would you say to someone considering supporting ETS for the first time?
A: Like Nike’s slogan says, “Just do it!” You are saving lives and your support makes a difference.
I’ll never forget when just a few months ago, I participated in a Christmas in July community event at Good Hope Community Church with Reach House Association where I am the Executive Director along with another community organization. Good Hope opened up the doors to the community and gave away thousands of dollars in products free of charge to more than 300 individuals and families. People came with wagons and bags, and we sent them home with products they needed like cleaning products, diapers, toys, clothes, toasters, cleaning supplies, and so many other items. During this event, a person came through and I discovered it was one of my former patients from 20 years ago. I looked at her and I said to myself “I know her.” When the patient realized it was me, she gave me the biggest hug and cried and said, “I’ve been trying to find you. I just want you to know how you impacted my life. Because of your concern and care for me, I’ve now been clean for 20 years. And because of you, one of my children is a college professor, and one is an artist. Your impact on my life has impacted many more. And I just want you to know how grateful I am to God for you.”
This is why I will always say, “Those are my people.”
Thank you, Faith, for your leadership and voice in shaping the growth and future of Evergreen Treatment Services.
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