February 2017 "WHRC VRM Profiles"

While interning at Weinberg Housing and Resource Center (the largest homeless shelter in Baltimore sponsored by Catholic Charities), I interviewed and wrote up three profiles on residents living in the shelter. More about the residents in this VRM (Volunteer Resident Monitor) program can be found here: http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/weinberg-housing-resource-center/meet-our-residents.html

VRM Bonnie:

Elizabeth (Bonnie) Guzzone is originally from Baltimore County, Maryland. She came to WHRC in 2016, thanks to a suggestion from her daughter, Stephanie who was living at WHRC at the time. She decided that if her daughter was having such a positive experience here, she should give it a try. Bonnie is very grateful to WHRC and Catholic Charities for helping her get back on her feet, and nourishing her mind and body to excel in taking her personal situation of homelessness into her own hands.

Bonnie became a member of the Volunteer Resident Monitor (VRM) program five months ago, after a friend recommended her. As a VRM, Bonnie does a little bit of everything—she helps to clean, take out the trash, vacuum, restock the bathrooms, and serve both breakfast and dinner in the kitchen. Since she has had previous professional experience cleaning, she is extremely helpful to WHRC’s regular cleaning staff, and loves to give back.

Bonnie’s long-term goals are to find a house and maintain a better living situation. She wants to take things one step at a time, and is willing to put in all the work necessary to achieve all that she sets her mind to. Bonnie is grateful for her experience as a VRM at WHRC,  as it will both help her prepare to maintain her own household as well as provide great experience for her resume as she attempts to find a long-term job. Bonnie’s piece of advice is “for everyone to really cherish what they have,” because when you have very little you learn to appreciate all that you are given. She believes it is essential to work hard to achieve all one’s goals, even though sometimes it is not an easy task to improve one’s lifestyle. 

VRM Dwight:

Dwight Stokes is originally from the Bronx, New York, but moved to Baltimore a few years ago. When his father died, Dwight was inspired to take better care of his physical health, and moved off the streets and into WHRC in 2015 in order to get access to the resources he needed.

Dwight became a VRM almost two years ago as a way to keep himself busy, stay positive in an environment that can often be negative, and to work on his goals of getting and staying in good physical and mental health. As a VRM, Dwight is willing to help out wherever he is needed, but his favorite thing to do is the men’s upstairs laundry at WHRC, as this job gives him peace and quiet and allows him time to regroup.

Dwight’s short-term goals are to work on his physical and mental health, and to obtain permanent, stable housing. His long-term goals are to eventually go back to school, and ideally study electrical engineering. Dwight is a big believer in the idea that negativity can come from anywhere, and that if you are unwilling to do something for yourself or put the effort in to excel, you will not be successful. He is grateful for all the resources Catholic Charities offers to him and all other residents of WHRC.

VRM Nick:

After living with a friend for a few months, Nick decided to move into WHRC in order to escape the chaos and get himself into a more stable living situation, and be better equipped to take care of his sons. So far he has had a positive experience with both staff and residents, and has made many friends both within and outside of the VRM program.

As a VRM, Nick is willing to help out wherever he is needed, but most often helps with laundry, cleaning, and taking out the trash. He likes to volunteer in order to pass the time, and help to keep the building clean—Nick believes that starting good cleaning habits here will set him in the mindset to keep things clean when he obtains his own permanent housing. Nick enjoys the perks given to VRMs, and loves feeling appreciated by staff and residents for the volunteer work that he does.

Nick's ultimate goal is to leave WHRC and have his own place to live. He also would like to obtain a job, preferably one as a security officer, as this is something that he has done before in Glenn Burnie and really enjoyed. In addition, Nick would like to advance to the Gold Star level as a VRM, and obtain his gold vest. For fun, Nick loves to do crossword and other word puzzles, as well as to read books from authors like James Patterson, Tom Clancy, and Nora Roberts. Nick most often gets new reading material from sharing with residents upstairs, and is looking forward to reading some new books soon.