Celebrating Everyday Wins While Working for Housing Stability
Susie was looking for a career change when she heard about Heading Home Corps. Longing to work with people in more of a one-on-one setting, becoming a Housing Resource Navigator provided her with the opportunity to test the waters in a new field and give back to her community. “It gave me an opportunity to try something else out in giving back to my community and seeing if that was something that I wanted to do,” she says.
Without prior experience in the social service sector, Susie’s first few months as a Housing Resource Navigator involved lots of learning. Helping people access resources and overcome barriers amid an affordable housing crisis is rewarding but challenging work! A staff member at Susie’s site gave her some advice that would help shape her experience as a Navigator. “I realized you must find the small wins,” she says.
For Susie, this means celebrating all the things that lead to improved housing stability. Wins like seeing clients qualify for assistance with security deposits, get new jobs, schedule counseling sessions, and even something as simple as being comfortable reaching out for help.
Throughout her service, she learned more about the disparities that are so entrenched in housing insecurity and the incredible tenacity it takes to overcome obstacles. “There are people who are so resilient,” she says. “No matter what is being thrown at them, they keep going, they keep working on it.”
Since completing her term of service, Susie has elected to continue as a volunteer. She plans to keep volunteering until the last of her clients fulfill their housing goals.
Housing Resource Navigators are still needed in the following communities:
Moorhead
Churches United for the Homeless
Northfield
Community Action Center of Northfield
Pine City
A Place For You, Transitional Homeless Shelter
St. Paul
Catholic Charities-Dorothy Day Residence
Catholic Charities - Higher Ground St. Paul Shelter Emergency Services
Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties
Ramsey County Housing Stability Department - Bigelow Building
Ramsey County Housing Stability Department - Mary Hall
Ramsey County Housing Stability Department - Metro Square
Rochester
Please help spread the word about these incredible opportunities! The deadline to apply for the upcoming January start date is December 14, 2022. You can learn more and apply by visiting Ampact.US/heading-home.