Summary of Post-Project Homeless Connect Class Discussion

Here is a summary from what you all shared about your impressions from Project Homeless Connect during last Monday's class (April 27, 2009).

First, here is a list of key words or phrases that you generated that captured the day's experience. You said, the day was interesting, productive, helpful for client, helpful for me, be patient, social, insightful, exposing, and fast.

Second, here are some of the lessons you took away from the day and the specific moment from your day that represented how you learned this lesson:

Lesson #1: The ability to make strong connections across difference. This was learned during the conversation we had on a cigarette break, and when my client checked out some guys.

Lesson #2: The significance of the little things in life; they can have a huge impact. This was learned when I realized how important an ID and birth certificate were and then when my client got them.

Lesson #3: Fiction can be real; just how much individual freedom had been lost. This was learned when I heard how a housing program required client to shave his head and memorize rules.

Lesson #4: I was surprised by how tight knit the clients and the homeless community were. This was learned when I saw how many people my client knew and greeted throughout the day.

Lesson #5: There might be some truth in stereotypes, i.e. drug and alcohol use. This was learned when I saw a client smoke pot at PHC.