I have great news and want to share!
HER has a new Street Outreach Team that is on foot, on the streets – overnight– connecting with homeless youth in Washington, DC. But it goes so much further than just connecting. We are working to get them into supportive programs (including HER) and housing organizations that will help prevent chronic homelessness in the future. Learn more about two of our Peer Street Outreach Associates doing this important work (below).
Unlike other parts of the country, DC has a higher rate of homeless female youth than males. This means HER has a critical role in helping DC’s Mayor Bowser with her plans to end youth homelessness by 2022.
We cannot do this work alone. We need your support. We are working to raise $12,500 to launch our Street Outreach program.
From HER peer to HER employee:
In developing our street outreach team, we selected 2 HER Peers who were ready for their next role at HER Resiliency Center. These 2 peers have demonstrated leadership and a desire to work hard for themselves and for the community. Meet Dehkontee and Destiny.
Name: Dehkontee Chanchan
Title: Peer Outreach Associate
How long have you been at HER: 18 months
How does it feel to have this new role/more responsibility at HER? Having this new role at HER makes me feel very important because over the months I have been with HER, I have made great improvements as a young adult, and for Natasha to give me this opportunity shows that she believes in me and with that I feel amazing.
What do you hope to get out of this employment opportunity?
While working for HER, I hope to learn more life coping skills in the environment and with myself. Also, I want to be able to understand young adults and adults who are facing difficult challenges and find ways to help them.
What do you hope to give to the young people you will meet on the street?
While working for HER and interacting with these different people I meet, I would like to give these different individual’s hope. I would like to show them that no matter what they might have had or will face that they should keep pushing because with the HER team behind them anything is possible with hope and faith.
Name: Destiny Traynham
Title: Peer Outreach Associate
How long have you been at HER: 15 months
How does it feel to have this new role/more responsibility at HER?
It feels great because it is a better opportunity to give back, advocate for individuals and to help them navigate through the variety of services.
What do you hope to get out of this employment opportunity?
I would like to grow more personally and professionally, and business-wise. And be able to obtain a master’s degree in social work.
What do you hope to give to the young people you will meet on the street?
I hope to help them with my positive mindset and creativity.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself in house, finishing up school, and with credit built up. And getting into the field where I can start my own nonprofit for homeless youth.