Star of Queens: Khadjat Oluwo, disaster case manager, Metropolitan Council

BY ROSS BELSKY

Background: Khadjat Oluwo, 31, was born and raised in Brooklyn and now lives in East Flatbush. When mixing with people from Queens, mainly through her job, she notices their enduring strength and good spirit even when times are tough. She appreciates this characteristic because she herself is extremely hardworking and dedicated to her cause.

Occupation: Oluwo is the disaster case manager at Metropolitan Council, a regional agency that plans initiatives that provide housing opportunities for all as well as services such as ensuring water cleanliness. Oluwo sees this job as her chance to make a difference in people’s lives, which is most important to her.

Community Involvement: At Met Council, Oluwo provides assistance to victims of Superstorm Sandy by providing them with things like new furniture, new clothing, and emotional and psychological assistance services. One client of Oluwo’s was recently able to move back into her home without any out-of-pocket costs, using only the organization’s resources. Oluwo is also a member of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and contributes time to the organization’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness month. She also belongs to the Keep a Child Alive Organization, which has the mission of realizing the end of AIDs for children by combating the economic impacts of HIV, especially in Africa.

Greatest Achievement: “Completing college and being able to do what I enjoy for a living — helping people in need.”

Biggest Challenge: “Anytime I am dealing with the occasional lack of resources or minimal access to them at Met Council. It’s difficult when that happens while you’re trying everything you can to help.”

Inspiration: “My parents. They came to this country with nothing and I’ve watched them make a name for themselves without any outside help at all.”

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