Major
Social Work
Anticipated Graduation Year
2026
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Within Deborah’s Place (a non-profit providing shelter and housing opportunities for women experiencing homelessness), I am interning at Teresa’s Interim Housing. Teresa’s is a ten-bed, 120-day interim housing program. I give initial intake assessments, facilitate group activities, and allocate resources to 4 program participants. I use the harm reduction framework while practicing motivational interviewing techniques as I work with clients to find permanent, stable housing.
My overarching goal is to transition 5-7 clients into permanent housing. Many steps go into getting clients housed - some within my control and many are not..
I have the following learning and achievement goals that will help me accomplish my primary goal:
-
Develop my skills in leading groups confidently. Building rapport with my clients and earning their trust is key in establishing good working relationships.
-
Learn the local housing resources and supportive services to best assist my clients. Gaining this resource-based competency will build upon itself with each client I help.
-
Gain skills, confidence, and understanding to work with a population that has mental health struggles. Experiencing homelessness is traumatic in itself, but coupled with mental health concerns, it can make the work to house my clients even more difficult.
-
Learn what is required to be an effective case manager - reading body language and social cues from clients, knowing when to assist vs allowing the client to work on their own, and delivering trauma-informed care to every client.
Ultimately, the path to success will look different for each client I have the privilege of helping. Compassion, empathy, and understanding will be at the forefront of the work I do. And even when a client doesn’t achieve their goal, I will have learned things in our time together that will allow me to better assist my next client.
Creative Commons License
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Academic Internship - Deborah's Place
Within Deborah’s Place (a non-profit providing shelter and housing opportunities for women experiencing homelessness), I am interning at Teresa’s Interim Housing. Teresa’s is a ten-bed, 120-day interim housing program. I give initial intake assessments, facilitate group activities, and allocate resources to 4 program participants. I use the harm reduction framework while practicing motivational interviewing techniques as I work with clients to find permanent, stable housing.
My overarching goal is to transition 5-7 clients into permanent housing. Many steps go into getting clients housed - some within my control and many are not..
I have the following learning and achievement goals that will help me accomplish my primary goal:
-
Develop my skills in leading groups confidently. Building rapport with my clients and earning their trust is key in establishing good working relationships.
-
Learn the local housing resources and supportive services to best assist my clients. Gaining this resource-based competency will build upon itself with each client I help.
-
Gain skills, confidence, and understanding to work with a population that has mental health struggles. Experiencing homelessness is traumatic in itself, but coupled with mental health concerns, it can make the work to house my clients even more difficult.
-
Learn what is required to be an effective case manager - reading body language and social cues from clients, knowing when to assist vs allowing the client to work on their own, and delivering trauma-informed care to every client.
Ultimately, the path to success will look different for each client I have the privilege of helping. Compassion, empathy, and understanding will be at the forefront of the work I do. And even when a client doesn’t achieve their goal, I will have learned things in our time together that will allow me to better assist my next client.