I began volunteering for Project Humanities’ homeless outreach when I was in eighth grade. As I prepare to graduate from high school now, four years later, I am a very active intern and will continue during my upcoming college years at Arizona State University, commencing this fall 2023. The following is the letter of interest I submitted as part of my initial application for the Project Humanities internship program in the summer of 2021.
"Over the last three years with my grandfather who drives down to Phoenix from Prescott, I have contributed my time to the homeless outreach work that Project Humanities facilitates. I have done this outreach because I am interested in community organizing with other high school students to help improve homeless outreach volunteer numbers and to educate my high school and college peers about ways that they can contribute to homeless outreach, not only here in the Valley, but also wherever they decide to head after high school. Such an internship allows me to work on getting more donations of needed items, such as women’s and men’s underwear in all sizes so that we can more equitably serve the unsheltered community inside of the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix.
Additionally, it is important to look for sustainable sources of quality clothing that still accommodate people's styles, preferences, and tastes. Giving our clients choices extends and demonstrates humanity to those too often denied simply because of their circumstances. One thing I observe in my time as both an outreach volunteer and intern is that the variance in clothing we have for our clients allows for these unique preferences and styles that make them individual unique people to reinforce their expressions of humanity. This was not something that I realized my first or second time volunteering, but it came when I started to see the clients with my own eyes rather than the constructs of homelessness portrayed on the news and in the media.
The goal of reinforcing each person's humanity expanded my idea of what service can do, and as an intern, it has been my goal to help build on this in ways that allow for other high school-aged students now to experience this through coordination with schools and on Service Saturdays primarily.
I am interested in learning about additional ways that I can be involved in Project Humanities Homeless Outreach as an intern. In addition to the 10-12 hours a month I currently commit to Project Humanities, I contribute several additional hours per month to attending other Project Humanities events and activities that enhance my awareness and personal enrichment. I encourage others interested in supporting humanity and justice to consider joining our efforts, efforts that build community and that give hope about human connections."
Now, I am even further engaged in Project Humanities and Homeless Outreach efforts in the greater Phoenix Metropolitan area. Through examining the systems of homelessness through research regarding the current crisis in the Phoenix Metropolitan area, I have gained a greater appreciation for the uniqueness of the work that Project Humanities does as compared to other organizations; not necessarily in viewing direct comparisons of statistics, but rather through the overarching focus on the importance of "Humanity 101 in Action" in framing the volunteering efforts. Through utilizing the guiding principles of talking, listening, and connecting, Project Humanities serves this community by providing not only clothing, but an extension of humanity to clients and volunteers. Through my internship, I have been able to not only assist this mission through Service Saturdays and through assisting in the facilitation of multiple Project Humanities events including the 8th and 9th annual Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for the SocialGood. For anyone who wants to contribute and grow from the many aspects of Project Humanities, this internship program is an amazing way to engage with the project on a deeper level.
If you are interested in being an intern, send an email with a statement of interest and resume at projecthumanities@asu.edu!