Joining the Initiative to Combat Homelessness
Aisha Nasser, one of our valued Spring Interns had the opportunity to present at the UAB Service Learning and Undergraduate Research Expo.
Abstract
“To facilitate my passion for social work and servicing those facing financial instability and housing insecurity, among other debilitating factors, I chose to intern with One Roof, a resource and referral agency for the homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) program for Central Alabama. In the bustling city of Birmingham, Alabama, trends of homelessness continue to persist and rise, reflecting a distressing glimpse into the often overlooked and stigmatized lives of one of the city's most vulnerable populations. With One Roof, I aimed to hone my understanding of the various systemic barriers clients often face and gain insight into their experiences while on the streets of Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby County.
While in the office, I worked with the Coordinated Entry staff to conduct intake assessments, recording individuals' self-reported histories of homelessness within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) PromisSE database. In doing so, I assessed individuals reporting chronic homelessness or priority status, allowing me to input their housing needs into the system for other CoC-approved agencies to distribute direct services based on our referral. To make such filings, especially within Street Outreach initiatives, I relied on One Roof guidelines, referring to them often in conjunction with seeking support from my on-site coordinator. Overall, I learned that combatting homelessness is complex, requiring a vast network to coordinate care across various fields to meet client needs. As an aspiring social worker, I hope to channel such knowledge to educate others about the implications of homelessness and offer recommendations for proactive change.” Read More Here
As the semester comes to an end we would like to thank Aisha for her valuable input and work at One Roof. She was able to get first hand experience with the implementation of the Coordinated Entry process and Street Outreach Initiatives. We are so proud of her accomplishments and commitment to servicing those facing housing insecurity!