Building Communities: Working Towards a Unified End Goal

Vera M -

This week at Casa Maria has been both productive and meaningful. I continued helping out by supporting the team, interacting with the unhoused community, and doing some additional research to strengthen my understanding of their issues, especially around access to resources and waste management. I also continued perfecting my brochure and began planning my presentation for this week.

Things are going well overall. I’ve found that I genuinely enjoy working with the unhoused and being present in any way I can, even if it’s something as small as handing out clean socks or simply offering a warm “good morning.” Every act of kindness matters, and I feel grateful to be part of something that makes a difference. I enjoy waking up and committing my time towards this cause, as I feel I am working towards helping the establishment itself grow.

I’ve also started making real progress in becoming familiar with the community and staff at Casa Maria. I’m getting more comfortable with the space, the daily routines, and the incredible people who make this work possible. I feel more connected to the mission each day and more confident in my role. It’s exciting to know that my contributions are part of something bigger, and I can’t wait to continue learning and helping in any way I can.

Being at Casa Maria has also opened my eyes, and it’s motivated me to stay engaged beyond just this project. Through my research and day-to-day experiences, I’ve learned that listening is one of the most powerful tools we have. Even when I’m not directly solving a problem, just being present and showing care has helped build trust with people who are often overlooked. It’s made me realize that small, consistent efforts can add up to something meaningful, and that’s something I want to carry with me into the future.

More Posts

Comments:

All viewpoints are welcome but profane, threatening, disrespectful, or harassing comments will not be tolerated and are subject to moderation up to, and including, full deletion.

    connor_l
    Hey Vera, I'm really happy to hear that your week has been good and that you've gotten to engage with the community so directly! I have noticed that you use the word "unhoused" instead of "homeless," for example, and was wondering if using more appropriate terms like these can help advocate more care and support with issues such as these. Good luck with the rest of your project!
    April 6, 2025 at 8:29 pm - Reply
    karthik_a
    Hey Vera! It's great to hear that this week was good for you! What did you learn from researching lack of resources and waste management in unhoused communities?
    April 7, 2025 at 1:19 pm - Reply
    vera_m
    Hello Karthik! I learned about how other communities were able to work together to help the unhoused populations and the trash issue and learned that it really is a unified effort that makes it work, instead of just a group or two trying while the rest of the community remains oblivious to the intensity of the situation.
    April 9, 2025 at 4:13 pm - Reply
    vera_m
    Hello Connor! Yes, the word "unhoused" is more proper and more commonly used in a more professional setting, and it helps create a more inclusive environment with no presumptions or negative connotations the word "homeless" has.
    April 9, 2025 at 4:15 pm - Reply
    komla_w
    Hey Vera! Im glad you want to continue working on your project even outside of the senior project!
    April 11, 2025 at 8:00 am - Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *