One of my dreams in life is to be able to make an impact in society by helping those in need. When the opportunity to work at A Way Home Kamloops came by, I grasped it with tight fists as this was an area that aligned with my dream goals. A Way Home Kamloops is a very essential organization that addresses homelessness and housing vulnerability in Kamloops. The organization offers a wide range of services that include providing shelter to individuals and families facing homelessness, transitional housing to support those on a journey to stability and long-term housing solutions aimed at preventing homelessness. My role at first was working within the advocacy department as a support person. My tasks included helping collect and research data needed on the project and offering support in meetings in keeping minutes. Half of my practicum, I managed to do it working with the advocacy team, and later I moved onto the research team.
I do believe one of my initial aims for the practicum was to demonstrate knowledge, through experiential learning, of key human rights and social justice issues locally, nationally, and/or globally. One of the most touching jobs is being able to experience and hear people’s plight on homelessness firsthand. This experience was helpful in that it made me understand the human impact on social justice concepts and the real-life application of human rights principles. Having the opportunity to work hands on at A Way Home Kamloops was very key in opening my understanding and development of policy frameworks, advocacy strategies and the complexities that are involved when trying to implement social justice solutions.
When it comes to the context of social justice and human rights people can easily forget that sometimes you don’t have to look far to notice that there are cases that need attention happening right in front of our eyes. This experience helped me develop and understand the urgent need to cater for the vulnerable in the Kamloops community and the unique social and economic factors at play also. When you used to listen on TV or radio and read in newspapers it becomes a face and you see the emotions and struggle people be going through, it opens a new understanding and urgent need to develop and implement human rights and social justice more into our society.
My integration into the organization was more two in two parts, the first part involved being introduced to the people who work onsite at the A Way Home Kamloops office in Northshore, and this included a walk through the office space at the same time being introduced to the employees On sight. The other part involved a zoom meeting, and this was more on being introduced to the team around British Columbia that was part of the advocacy team.
I do believe the class concept of Human Rights and Social Justice and reality are the same. The difference comes when you realize now you are working hands on with people who have been in situations of need, and you get to understand the concept of barriers that exist in society that aid in hindering human rights and social justice fulfillment. Every Wednesday was a walk in day as counselors and other professionals would come in and people would get free services from these professionals. These sessions changed my view of human rights and social justice a lot. Hearing people share about the systematic barriers they face accessing basic services and securing decent housing highlights the discrimination that exists and lack of supportive services. Hearing first hand accounts, you get to realize the complexity of human rights issues. You get to understand that homelessness is not about lack of physical space to stay but it incorporates a wide range of deep broad societal injustices including economic inequality and inadequate health care.
This opportunity was eye opening as I managed to gain access and professional connections from the different organizations that we were working with on the advocacy project. Just the fact that being at A Way Home Kamloops opened avenues to even government department that we were in contact with as follow up to programs they have put in place that help homeless individuals. The essential part of working at the organization was essential in aiding my knowledge and understanding of human rights and social justice concepts. I think if given the chance to do something differently, I think witnessing the impact of advocacy firsthand has inspired me to be more of a hands-on person and be more involved in social justice initiatives. I have always been a person who wants to work with the community, this experience has opened my heart to try and create something also to alleviate the plight of those who are going through tough times.