Community Partner : Mayor ’ s Office of Human Services ‐ Homeless Services Program Intern : Keenan Caswell Site Supervisor : Gabby Knighton
What is the Mayor ’ s Office of Human Services‐Homeless Service Program ? The Homeless Service Program deals with structural issues regarding homelessness and offers various programs for homeless individuals
The past eight weeks at the Mayor ’ s Office of Human Services have provided me with priceless learning experiences about the dire relationship between Baltimore and its homeless population , eye‐opening interactions with service providers and coworkers , and a platform to continue my involvement as a community member in Baltimore . Observing the discussions between the policymakers who develop the guidelines and procedures for the homeless programs and the social workers who interact on a daily basis with homeless population and working alongside these same social workers to problem solve the obstacles that arise for their clients particularly highlighted the need for collaboration to ascertain a resolution to the cycle of homelessness for thousands of people in Baltimore .
My role in the larger mechanism to resolve homelessness in Baltimore took on the appearance and responsibilities as a facilitator and liaison between the community providers and the housing programs as I processed housing applications and sat in on committee and project meetings . However , that did not constrict my opportunities of directly lending a hand to those who are asking for help . Over the final few weeks of the internship I was kept me on my feet and out of the office as I led on‐site training and refresher sessions over Coordinated Access for as many service providers that would fit into my schedule . Driving around Baltimore to the different organizations to network with the navigators , and at times their clients , offered me the opportunity to look out the window and see boarded up , shrubbery‐ridden row home after boarded up , shrubbery‐ridden row home . These neighborhoods once known for their vibrant murals or lively block parties that behaved as the cultural and physical centers of the community have become skeletons of their former selves ; boarded up skeletons that at times offer insufficient respite to homeless if they ’ re lucky enough to find one with an intact roof . These are the communities where organizations like Loving Arms , Therapeutic Living for Families , or People Encouraging People are daily serving .
The conversations I had with my coworkers , the navigators , and , most importantly , anyone struggling with homelessness constantly reminded me that the applications I was processing are far more than just PDFs and kept me from falling into a robotic frame of mind . Individuals and families in desperate situations are on the other side of the computer screen . Each day around 4:00 pm I pack up my desk and catch the circulator towards Charles Village to walk into a house with a full fridge , running water , and a comfortable bed . Where does Michelle go ? Where does Deshawn go ? Where do Pamela and her three children go ? These are the questions the Mayor ’ s Office of Human Services , the housing programs , and all the organizations working alongside the homeless population are working to answer . ‐ Keenan
Tasks
• Processed Permanent Flex Fund applications clients to housing pro assisting navigator and troubleshooting .
• Participated in workgr HOLD , and the Coordi Sharing Committee an and research for these
• Assisted in the editing documents for Coordi the Verification of Hom
• Led on‐site training se Coordinated Access fo collaborating commun