A Shared Mission: How Caregiver Coordinator Marielly Reyes finds purpose in our community.

Dr. Esther Castillo (first from the left), Marielly Reyes (second from the right), our CNAs and Nicole Watson, LPN, from QCP

Marielly: Finding a New Mission at Accesso Care

Marielly Reyes is Accesso Care’s Caregiver Support Coordinator, bridging training, operations, and community support. With prior experience coordinating intergenerational programs at a local agency on aging, she brings a frontline understanding of seniors’ needs—ranging from companionship to professional caregiving. At Accesso Care , she focuses on empowering CNA students, improving internal workflows.

What motivated you to decide to join Accesso Care? There are many career options, so what aspect attracted you?

Before joining Accesso Care, I was working with the local area agency on aging as a program coordinator for an intergenerational program. We recruited college students to visit older adults who were living alone, sometimes a little lonely, and in need of companionship. I found a lot of fulfillments in that work. During conversations with older adults, I often heard they needed home health aides or CNAs to help with tasks students couldn’t handle. So, when I saw the opportunity to apply to Accesso Care, I thought it would be really interesting to work on the other side of that process. That’s why I decided to apply.

Before you joined, what were your expectations, and how has the actual experience compared?

I expected it to be somewhat similar to my previous work because I knew I’d be helping CNA students prepare for licensing and documentation. In that sense, it matched what I envisioned. The difference is that Accesso Care works primarily with immigrants. The age range is very diverse, and many older adults come to America seeking jobs, often facing language barriers that need more of my attention. So, while some parts matched my expectations, others have been quite different and eye-opening.

How would you describe the team atmosphere at Accesso Care?

One thing that attracted me is that it’s a startup. The staff is small, which makes it feel more connected. There are many opportunities to talk with Dr. Esther and suggest improvements. She fosters an open environment where we can share ideas and contribute to the company’s growth. I really value that collaborative and inclusive atmosphere.

Since joining, what has been the most fulfilling moment or project for you?

I’ve only been here a short time, so I’m still getting to know the students. But recently, I took initiative to organize some administrative tasks on our CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform. I enjoy organizing, so being able to improve the workflow and make information easier to access for the staff was really fulfilling. It gave me a sense of agency and showed me how I could contribute meaningfully.

What do you appreciate most about Accesso Care’s mission?

I’m grateful to be part of what Dr. Esther is doing—helping immigrants find support and direction in a new country. It’s difficult to adjust to a new culture and system, and Accesso Care provides guidance in that process. I really appreciate that mission and look forward to learning more and seeing how I can assist.

Do you think gender has shaped your perspective in this field?

A little bit, yes. Caregiving and social work are fields where women make up the majority of the workforce, but positions of power are still often occupied by men, and the work itself is undervalued. I think women can bring empathy and different perspectives to the work. For me, it’s important to emphasize that even though caregiving may not be seen the same way as fields like tech or economics, it’s vital work that deserves more recognition and support.

As Caregiver Support Coordinator, Marielly combines empathy with systems thinking—strengthening student preparation, streamlining internal processes, and advocating for immigrants and women in caregiving. Her story reflects Accesso Care’s broader mission: community, dignity and honesty.