Jenna Haley will intern with Neighborhood Partnerships and work with the Housing Alliance. She will also share her time interning at Street Roots with plans to bridge the two placements in strengthening outreach efforts for both agencies. We asked her a couple of questions about herself:
For starters, tell me a little about yourself
– Let’s see, I’m a Midwestern gal at heart and have enjoyed all the west coast has to offer. For three years I served as an AmeriCorps with the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and with Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. I’m finishing up my last year of PSU’s Masters in Social Work program. I love meeting people and making connections, oh and my red hair!
What area of expertise and interest do you have?
Although I am currently in a position as a student learner, I would say constantly learning from everything and one around me is of particular interest to me. I know how to build things and teach people how to use a variety of tools in a safe manner, so I’ve got you covered on that end. As I said before, I enjoy meeting and learning from people then following up with connecting people to each other’s skill sets, so that’s an interest and something I feel I’m pretty decent at.
What does opportunity mean to you?
I feel “opportunity” is rather subjective to the individual, group or community and looks different at various times. To me, it means holding that understanding and supporting the creation of avenues to make opportunity (whatever that looks like within that time for that person, group or community) a possibility.
What difference can quality, affordable homes make for individuals and communities?
Stability. A vessel to harness growth, healing, security, connectivity – an opportunity.
What’s your favorite quote?
My reminder/motivation for the year is:“…our society takes the easy way, not the best way” – Former Multnomah County Chair Marissa Madrigal
Choose one author, living or dead, that you’d like to have dinner with
Paulo Coelho or Amy Poehler
What are you looking forward to most about this position?
To learn from some great minds to build upon and deepen my macro social work lens!