Get to know Brandi Taylor, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) case manager at Hope House, in her new hire Q&A!
Describe your experience as an intern at Hope House.
My intern experience was amazing. Many agencies do not let students get a lot of hands-on experience, but Hope House encouraged it. It gave me the opportunity to improve on my clinical skills and develop a solid foundation in many social work practices. Hope House also acknowledges you as an important person, even as an intern. I remember on my first day, Dr. Betty introduced me to several of the board members as they were leaving a meeting. I thought how wonderful it was for someone in her position to introduce me to important people in the organization. It showed me how much she and the organization cared about me even though I was just an intern.
What were your duties/responsibilites as an intern?
I was a jack of all trades and worked where I was needed most at the time. I conducted play therapy with children in the preschool and daycare. I also facilitated several of the support groups and participated in a few individual counseling sessions with clients. I also assisted with food pantry deliveries, helped clients fill out job applications, filed paperwork and more.
How did your experience as an intern prepare you for your current position at Hope House?
My experience helped me to see the barriers that our clients face on a regular basis. It helped me understand how to help and advocate for them. I also saw how much this organization means to the clients. It made me want to add to that and make sure I didn’t do anything to take away from that.
What is your current job title and responsibility?
I am a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) case manager who helps clients find affordable housing under the TBRA program guidelines. This includes working with clients to determine their goals and help them adjust to the changes and challenges in their lives. I meet with clients on a regular basis to ensure proper program participation. Ultimately, I look to be an additional support network for clients.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about helping individuals who have not found their voice and who are vulnerable. This could be children, women, those affected by HIV, those who deal with substance abuse, or victims or survivors of domestic violence. I am driven by my belief that everybody has the right to have a good quality of life. My goal is to always have the courage to impact to change and battle social injustices.
What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to overcome in this position?
Even though I was aware of the stigma that my clients face due to HIV, I had never witnessed it firsthand. Dealing with the blatant discrimination that they face has been disheartening to say the least. This is only one of the many challenges that clients face. It can be discouraging sometimes, but I’ve realized that I am a change agent, and I can advocate for clients and promote awareness of HIV to destigmatize the disease.
What do you hope for the future of Hope House?
My hope is that Hope House will be able to expand its positive impact to the community and those affected by HIV. This means continually fighting the stigma around the disease and working to create more opportunities for our clients.
What is a motto that you like to live your life by?
I want to change the world one person at a time. Most times we think change has to be done on a large scale, but ultimately a huge positive change for one person is an awesome accomplishment.
Employee Spotlight: Brandi Taylor
Get to know Brandi Taylor, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) case manager at Hope House, in her new hire Q&A!
Describe your experience as an intern at Hope House.
My intern experience was amazing. Many agencies do not let students get a lot of hands-on experience, but Hope House encouraged it. It gave me the opportunity to improve on my clinical skills and develop a solid foundation in many social work practices. Hope House also acknowledges you as an important person, even as an intern. I remember on my first day, Dr. Betty introduced me to several of the board members as they were leaving a meeting. I thought how wonderful it was for someone in her position to introduce me to important people in the organization. It showed me how much she and the organization cared about me even though I was just an intern.
What were your duties/responsibilites as an intern?
I was a jack of all trades and worked where I was needed most at the time. I conducted play therapy with children in the preschool and daycare. I also facilitated several of the support groups and participated in a few individual counseling sessions with clients. I also assisted with food pantry deliveries, helped clients fill out job applications, filed paperwork and more.
How did your experience as an intern prepare you for your current position at Hope House?
My experience helped me to see the barriers that our clients face on a regular basis. It helped me understand how to help and advocate for them. I also saw how much this organization means to the clients. It made me want to add to that and make sure I didn’t do anything to take away from that.
What is your current job title and responsibility?
I am a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) case manager who helps clients find affordable housing under the TBRA program guidelines. This includes working with clients to determine their goals and help them adjust to the changes and challenges in their lives. I meet with clients on a regular basis to ensure proper program participation. Ultimately, I look to be an additional support network for clients.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about helping individuals who have not found their voice and who are vulnerable. This could be children, women, those affected by HIV, those who deal with substance abuse, or victims or survivors of domestic violence. I am driven by my belief that everybody has the right to have a good quality of life. My goal is to always have the courage to impact to change and battle social injustices.
What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to overcome in this position?
Even though I was aware of the stigma that my clients face due to HIV, I had never witnessed it firsthand. Dealing with the blatant discrimination that they face has been disheartening to say the least. This is only one of the many challenges that clients face. It can be discouraging sometimes, but I’ve realized that I am a change agent, and I can advocate for clients and promote awareness of HIV to destigmatize the disease.
What do you hope for the future of Hope House?
My hope is that Hope House will be able to expand its positive impact to the community and those affected by HIV. This means continually fighting the stigma around the disease and working to create more opportunities for our clients.
What is a motto that you like to live your life by?
I want to change the world one person at a time. Most times we think change has to be done on a large scale, but ultimately a huge positive change for one person is an awesome accomplishment.
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