Nicole Hughes
Saint Louis, MO
Case Manager
YWCA
Role:
Direct Service Provider, Student
Area of Work:
Housing, Health, Mental Health, Substance Use, Employment, Other
Focus of Work:
Local
I am a Case Manager at the YWCA Transitional Housing Program for single, homeless women age 18 +. I am a senior in the UMSL School of Social Work. I have worked at the Y for going on 7 years. Part of my time is spent doing case management, facilitating our 4-part financial literacy workshops, and providing case management for 10 single mothers in a collaborative project we have entered into with the Trio Foundation of St. Louis. This project is an economic stability initiative for young single mothers enrolled in an area community college or technical college seeking an associates and/or bachelor's degree in a non-traditional field - exception is nursing due to the economic stability this career path can provide for a single mother. My greatest challenge is preparing homeless women for financial stability when preparing to enter permanent housing. Another challenge is assisting clients with finding the ability to realistically reduce permanent housing debt barriers such as landlord judgments, utilities, and bank debts. However, I cannot imagine working with any other population. My clients empower me on a daily basis.
Organization/University: YWCA
Homelessness is a current research interest?: - Unknown