CAMBA Culture
Acronyms
Pop Culture
Staff & Roles
NYC Agencies
100

For nearly 49 years, CAMBA has provided Housing Stability, Education & Youth Development, Family and Community Support, Health, Economic Development, and Legal Services—what does the acronym CAMBA stand for?

What is the Church Avenue Merchants Block Association? 

100

This acronym refers to the city agency that administers public assistance benefits and social service programs—what does HRA stand for?

What is Human Resources Administration? 

100

This social media platform is known for viral dance challenges like the "Renegade"

What is TikTok?

100

This role is responsible for overseeing daily operations and security at CAMBA shelters.

who is the Director of Security & Operations?

100

The primary city agency that runs NYC's shelter system and aims to eliminate homelessness.

What is the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS)?

200

Homeless Prevention, Emergency Housing, and Affordable & Supportive Housing at CAMBA all fall under this umbrella.

what is Housing Stability?

200

This critical 24/7 division of the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) manages shelter placements and vacancy control for families and single adults entering the system—what does the acronym HERO stand for?  

What is Housing Emergency Referral Operation?

200

This Oscar-winning director, known for films like Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, is a prominent Brooklyn resident and a devoted New York Knicks fan.

Who is Spike Lee?

200

This professional aids individuals and families in need of social services by completing initial assessments and developing Independent Living Plans with short- and long-term goals.

Who is a Case Manager?

200

This city agency focuses on supportive housing and oversees initiatives to create permanent housing solutions.

What is the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)?

300

These five core principles—Dedication, Diversity, Innovation, Integrity, and Quality—guide CAMBA’s mission and work across all programs. What are they known as?

What are CAMBA Values?

300

This document requires case management to document and outline goals, responsibilities, and steps toward self-sufficiency. What does ILP stand for?

What is an Independent Living Plan?

300

This artist wore a famous meat dress to the 2010 VMAs.

Who is Lady Gaga?

300

Beyond managing beds, this staff member handles daily shelter life, enforces safety rules, and de-escalates crises in the shelter's common areas.

Who is the Shift Supervisor?

300

While not directly managing shelters, these city offices provide crucial mental health and addiction services to shelter residents.

What are NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) or NYC DOHMH (Health Dept.)?

400

CAMBA, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization providing social services, was founded this year.

What is 1977?

400

All CAMBA shelter staff are onboarded with a two-day training in CPI, which stands for?

What is Crisis Prevention Institute?

400

Born Shawn Carter, this music mogul and entrepreneur grew up in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects before founding Roc-A-Fella Records.

Who is Jay-Z?

400

This individual is responsible for connecting clients with job training, resume assistance, and interview preparation to foster self-sufficiency.

Who is Employment Specialist?

400

This New York State office's Division of Shelter Oversight and Compliance (DSOC) is responsible for the certification, inspection, and rule enforcement of all publicly funded shelters across the state.

What is the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)?

500

A former New York City public elementary school teacher with a BA from Harvard Radcliffe College and an MPA from Columbia University, she served as CAMBA’s Executive Vice President from 1993–2013, Chief Administrative Officer since 2013, expanded emergency shelter services to 12 sites, and was appointed President and CEO of CAMBA and CAMBA Housing Ventures in 2024—who is she?

Who is Valerie Barton-Richardson?

500

This DHS intake center for families experiencing homelessness is commonly known as PATH—what does PATH stand for?

What is Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing?

500

The viral sensation of these collectible, monster-shaped toys from Pop Mart took over social media in 2025.

  • What are Labubu?
500

This city employee is responsible for auditing the Programmatic and Environmental aspects of each shelter assigned to their portfolio. 

Who is the Program Analyst? 

500

While DHS runs the big system, this powerful state agency conducts audits, like one from 2025, to review the oversight of shelters.

What is the Office of the New York State Comptroller (OSC)?

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