As the Catholic Charities Service Corps volunteer serving as the Homeless Task Force Intern I have been able to work with the homeless population of Buffalo, New York. I have faced a lot of challenges and learned even more during my placement. Even when my job was difficult or stressful, I still enjoyed being the office or out in the field. I had both successes and failures while in this position and I am happy to say that the successes far outweigh the failures.
In this position I am expected to perform client intakes for both walk-in clients and go out to shelters and drop-in centers in the city to speak to clients and potential clients there about their public benefits and other struggles. One client that I met, while doing outreach at a shelter, had a particularly difficult situation. This client was a veteran, single parent, and was facing difficulty finding proper housing, which was aggravated by the fact that the family’s temporary assistance was to due to close to outside income. This client was in danger of losing her shelter placement through the county because her housing worker did not want to wait while the apartment was remodeled to meet Section 8 habitability standards. (This client was able to receive Section 8 benefits through a program for homeless veterans.) I was able to assist the client by requesting a hearing on the shelter discontinuance. I then helped the client get verification that she would have an apartment and affordable rent (through Section 8) and convinced the worker to withdraw the notice. The family was therefore able to remain in shelter while waiting for the apartment to be ready.
My decision to participate in a faith-based service program was nothing unusual for me. Since my first semester at Christian Brothers University, I had been introduced to the Lasallian Volunteers and I knew that I wanted to take a year after graduation and serve. I didn’t think, however, I was really doing anything special or that my whole perspective on life would be dramatically changed. Well I was incorrect and I’m glad I was. This year had its challenges, but I have grown into a more socially aware and loving person.
As a volunteer with the Catholic Charities Service Corps (CCSC), I was exposed to so many things. I learned about Nonviolent Communication, was able to delve deeper in meditation practices, explored other spiritual traditions, and opened myself to be vulnerable to my community. This program has truly changed me for the better. I can see these changes in how I interact with those around me, whether they be my family, my community, my clients, or just strangers I pass on the street. I have found an inner peace that I was not aware of before and the CCSC has given me the opportunity to explore and cherish this peace. The service I have done this year will stay with me always and I know that it will affect my future decisions.
I am proud to say that I was a member of the CCSC because I am a better person because of it. I am confident to go into the world and share what I learned with others. I know that not everyone will be open to hearing about my experiences, but with the new communication techniques I have learned, I feel that I will still be able to share myself with the world.