A Journey into Social Work and Homelessness Advocacy

Interviewed by MarCherie

MarCherie: So, Caitlin, what inspired you to get into this line of work?

Kaitlyn: I’ve always believed that my mission on this earth was to help people and support them in the best way I could. I feel like everyone needs that kind of support. Originally, I was planning to be a communications major—maybe a weather girl or get into PR. But then, I started interviewing professors and other people in the field, and I realized Social Work was a better fit for me. I became a social worker, and then, I ended up working with people experiencing homelessness. A big part of my career has been focused on homelessness—working with youth, kids, and adults. I just kind of fell into it.

MarCherie: Who was the first client you took on with Family Promise, and how did you successfully house them?

Kaitlyn: That was Keith. He was in transitional housing at the time. We worked on applying for houses, and he was trying to reunify with the mother of his children, but that didn’t work out. However, he was able to reunify with his children, and now, he's a full-time single dad. After three attempts, we finally got him housed, and now he's thriving. We’re doing weekly interviews, the kids are in daycare, and they have all the support they need. He’s even transitioning to Orange County’s Rapid Rehousing program.

MarCherie: If you had to choose one program to brag about at Family Promise, what would that be?

Kaitlyn: Oh, that’s tough. If I had to pick one thing, I’d say it’s the extra events we do, especially during the holidays. It’s tough for a lot of our youth because their families aren’t always stable or supportive, or sometimes not positive at all. So, for us to provide something like a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, wish lists, and holiday events, it helps them experience a sense of normalcy. For me, that’s a huge part of transitioning back to regular life. It may seem like small luxuries to some, but it’s huge for the families we serve.

MarCherie: Is there anything else you’d like to add or a question you wish I’d ask you?

Kaitlyn: (laughs) Honestly, not really. I mean, I like talking about the work we do. It’s just a good feeling.

MarCherie: What do you find that your clients appreciate most about you and your efforts?

Kaitlyn: I think it’s my personality. I’m very supportive, but I also hold them accountable. I tell them, “At the end of the day, you’ve got to get your stuff done.” It’s important to have that balance. You can’t be too authoritative or too much of a friend, so I’ve learned to toe that line. It’s especially important working with the youth population, from ages 13 to 25.

MarCherie: What advice would you give to future caseworkers on how they can successfully house people or get them stably housed?

Kaitlyn: First, meet your client where they are. Understand that you can’t just put them anywhere; you’ve got to make sure they will succeed there. Collaboration is key. You shouldn’t just be doing things for your clients or telling them what to do. Case management, no matter the age, should be a partnership. If you’re not willing to collaborate, then this might not be the field for you.

MarCherie: Let’s back up a bit. Can you tell us about your responsibilities at Family Promise?

Kaitlyn: Sure. I manage a caseload of about 15 or 16 clients, mostly youth and youth families—either two parents with children or a single parent with kids. My job involves finding them housing, employment assistance, and referrals to other support services. We have funding for things like gas cards or application fees, which I can request for clients. I also advocate for them when needed. For example, I had a youth who just needed a driver’s license to get a car. I went to bat for that and got it approved. And, of course, there’s a lot of driving involved—picking up, dropping off, moving people in and out, food deliveries, sometimes even babysitting.

MarCherie: What’s the largest barrier you face in helping your clients get housed?

Kaitlyn: Access to resources is the biggest barrier. Along with that, mental health and emotional intelligence. A lot of the youth we work with have had to grow up fast and face tough situations. They’re very resilient, but there’s often resistance to change—especially when they come from families that rely on program help. They can’t always imagine a future without that assistance, and that mindset can hold them back. Plus, if you don’t have a consistent place to sleep, food, or water, it’s hard to focus on anything else. It’s a big challenge.