A conversation with Sanctuary Board Member Molly Snyder, LCSW, on Sanctuary’s Camp HOPE NYC — a transformative weeklong summer camp for teens impacted by gender-based violence.
We recently spoke with Molly Snyder, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Sanctuary Board member, and dedicated supporter of Sanctuary’s Camp HOPE NYC — a transformative weeklong summer camp for teens impacted by gender-based violence. In her work as an LCSW in private practice and as a Clinical Supervisor at the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services, Molly specializes in supporting women through life transitions, with deep expertise in treating trauma, anxiety, and depression. Her collaborative and curious approach helps her clients build self-understanding and create a clear, authentic vision for their future.
Tell us a little bit about yourself — what is your background?
I grew up in San Diego, California. My mom was a professional in the Jewish community and my dad was a pediatrician. They both prioritized community involvement and activism. Specifically, my mom was focused on the importance of women being financially independent, which influenced my decision to go to business school and start my career in finance. I received my undergraduate business degree from the University of Michigan and started my career at Goldman Sachs in investment banking soon after. I then went back to receive my MBA from Columbia Business School and after graduation, joined an organization in lower Manhattan that helped businesses recover in the wake of 9/11. When my kids were in elementary school, I was excited to make a career change and got my Masters in Social Work from Columbia University.
What first drew you to Sanctuary, and what was it about the organization that made you want to get involved?
I started with Sanctuary over 10 years ago as a clinical intern during my time at Columbia School of Social Work. I loved my experience at Sanctuary and was inspired by the passion and professionalism of everyone across the organization. I also witnessed Sanctuary’s deep investment in the professional development of their interns and staff and the resulting impact that these efforts had on client care.
“There is a sense of passion and care at all levels of Sanctuary — from the Board to the staff, with an unparalleled commitment to clients.”
How did you first learn about Camp HOPE, and what about Camp HOPE resonates with you?
I came to Sanctuary because I wanted to be more thoughtful about giving to causes that I care about, and given my history with Sanctuary, it was an obvious choice. It’s a privilege to see an organization from the inside and know that the work that they’re doing is of the highest quality. I was shown a few different options to support and I’ve always been a lover of camp, so Camp HOPE caught my attention right away.
For Camp Hope teens, I imagine that camp is literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air, giving them a chance to explore their interests, develop lasting friendships and connect with nature. Because of their life experiences, their nervous systems are likely on high alert most of the time, which can make it challenging to connect to others, to connect with themselves, and to just be a kid. I can’t think of a better place to decompress than in nature, in a supportive, safe environment where they can simply have fun.
What do you believe is the most important message for potential donors to understand?
There is a sense of passion and care at all levels of Sanctuary — from the Board to the staff — with an unparalleled commitment to clients, ensuring that their needs are always the priority. Services are tailored to the individual circumstances and preferences of each client and much effort is dedicated to understanding the clients’ unique experience and their vision for themselves and their families. Sanctuary staff does a great job helping clients identify the pathway to reach their goals and provides the services and resources needed to support them along the way.
I also love Sanctuary’s holistic model, which includes shelter, clinical services, legal support, economic empowerment, and advocacy because each component is interconnected. For example, if you have a job and you’re constantly triggered from past trauma at work, you may have a hard time being productive or effective with assignments. Or if you don’t have a restraining order and you’re not feeling safe, it’s going to be difficult to work or to take care of your kids. I love that all the pieces are in place to address the multitude of challenges that clients face, in order to set them up for success. It’s really an honor to be on the Board and to be able to be engaged with such an exceptional organization.
What would you say to someone who is considering funding our work? What makes it worth their investment?
Knowing that your dollars are truly impacting change — on individuals, families, communities, and the systems our clients are forced to contend with — makes all the difference. Sanctuary provides a comprehensive model of high-quality services, ensuring the opportunity for clients to attain safety and stability for their themselves and their families. I think it’s important that funders know for certain that their dollars are directly impacting change.
