Passionate PoliSci Grad Sees Policy in Action
Always passionate about making an impact, Nathan hopes one day to run a nonprofit that can benefit others. As a recent political science grad, he knows he first needs a better understanding of how government policy goes from words on the page to real-life action. He found the perfect chance to get experience and help others through Heading Home Corps.
“I've only had academic experience all my life,” he says. “Being boots on the ground and seeing the people that my work is actually affecting, that is very rewarding.”
Nathan chose to serve as a Housing Resource Navigator to support community members experiencing housing insecurity. Placed at Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP), Nathan is the first face that people see when they arrive in need of support. He helps clients apply for services and connects them to case managers from various programs his organization has to offer.
Not only does Nathan directly serve his neighbors in Moorhead, Minnesota, but he also gets a peek behind the scenes at how nonprofit organizations work! In addition to intaking clients, Nathan also serves on CAPLP’s Youth Action and Consumer Action Boards. At those meetings, he learns more about the different avenues his organization takes to address homelessness in their community.
When he’s not attending board meetings and getting clients situated with CAPLP, Nathan enjoys getting out the community to meet clients in their newly secured housing. He enjoys joining apartment tours and home visits after people have secured housing, where he gets to see firsthand the result of CAPLP’s housing services and ensure their needs are met.
“It’s cool to see the variety of lives that people have,” he says. “Even though everybody has different interests and different parts of their life, they all need housing. Being able to help provide that is special for sure.”
Housing is just one area Nathan is interested in learning more about. While in college, he completed he interned at a disability rights organization and completed minors in environmental sustainability and international affairs. His passion for our environment fuels his hopes to one day use his education and nonprofit experience to lead his own environmental organization! His service with Heading Home Corps has given him a valuable look into how such organizations operate.
After he completes his Heading Home Corps service, Nathan plans to serve another term in a different AmeriCorps program: Climate Impact Corps. There, he will get the opportunity to support environmental and sustainability projects while seeing firsthand how people run a climate-focused nonprofit. Until then, we’re thankful for his dedication to service at CAPLP!
You can join Nathan and other Housing Resource Navigators in Minnesota! Visit ampact.us/heading-home to learn more. Apply by December 6 to begin in January!