About The Founder
Wanda Johnson
Senior and Youth Support Services Inc., (SAYSS) is the brainchild of CEO Wanda Johnson, after years of working with some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities, both professionally and as a volunteer.
Ms. Johnson, a native Washingtonian, has a proven track record for
helping serve the community in her roles as Property Manager and Housing Transition Manager, providing housing and supportive services
for homeless and at risk families, while also helping individuals gain the skills needed to successfully transition from homelessness to permanent housing.
Her interest and service continued to expand as a volunteer in various capacities in Prince Georges County, including seven (7) years as an advocate for victims of abuse, and three (3) years with Community Advocates for Family Youths (CAFY), serving as an Intervention Specialist. This 24-hour help line assisted the Office of Sheriff of PG County Police Department Domestic violence unit with intervention planning for those impacted by domestic violence, break and entry, and burglary. Wanda also served for three (3) years as a volunteer Family Support Manager with Anne Arundel County’s Foster Parents Support Group.
As a Program Developer with “Peers Available to Help Seniors” (PATHS), Wanda facilitated and spoke at numerous seminars and workshops in the senior community on Identity Theft, “Aging Well Where You Dwell” (a presentation created by President of Pickett Fences Senior Services, Inc.), Alzheimer’s disease, Depression and other senior social issues. She facilitated a program designed by Arlene Joell, CEO and founder of PATHS, where seniors paired up with another senior, to assist with their daily in home challenges.
These experiences, along with Wanda’s personal family challenge to provide quality care for an aging parent, while juggling work and other obligations, gave true insight to the need for more affordable support services and solutions for families faced with these needs.
Ms. Johnson is a alumni of Howard University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services, with an emphasis in Gerontology (Cum Laude) from Kaplan University, and a member of the National Association of Health Services Executives Program (NAHSE). She is currently seeking a Master’s degree in Social Work at Waldon University.
Ms. Johnson is a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) since 2011, and serves as a board member of “In his Presence Outreach Center”, FBCG Outreach ministry, and a Member of PG County Senior Health Providers Network.
Ms. Johnson brings a powerful combination of education, experience, and exposure to SAYSS. She plans to use her unique perspective to bridge the gap of services to needs in two distinct sectors of the community, seniors and young people.
See the video about
The SAYSS Story from CEO Wanda Johnson.