We asked interns and volunteers to write about how "National Hunger and Homelessness Week"  (Nov. 15-21, 2009) makes them think about the work they are doing with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

I have been an intern with the Speakers Bureau at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless since August 2009. Before beginning my internship, I was spent more than15 years working with homeless families – I volunteered at two South Side shelters, Sousa House and Fresh Start.

I knew that homelessness was a big issue in Chicago, but I never knew how big the numbers were for youth. When I started working with the Speakers Bureau, I reviewed a CCH fact sheet and my heart started racing. It stated, “A study led by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) showed that 73,656 men, women, youths, and children were homeless in Chicago during fiscal year 2006.” I was astounded by those numbers, and so grateful that I am a part of CCH and the Speakers Bureau.

In its mission statement, CCH says, “We organize and advocate to prevent and end homelessness because we believe housing is a human right in a just society.” My work with the CCH Speakers Bureau has been a great experience. I go out with our Speakers Bureau as they tell their stories of being homeless. Speakers Bureau leaders are the faces of homelessness.

A week before this National Hunger and Homelessness Week, the Speakers Bureau participated in the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness -- the Resolve 2009 conference held at Loyola University Nov. 6-7. Melody DeGagne, Charles Jenkins, Miracle Ladde and myself spoke at the conference on a panel called “Faces of Homeless.” There were 165 students in attendance at this panel. It was such a powerful discussion afterwards because these students come from all over the United States, and after our homeless leaders spoke, students wanted to know how our leaders could come to their schools or how could they could get more involved with helping homeless people. Their sincere attitude about homelessness and all the ways that they wanted to help touched my heart. We also had a powerful workshop the next day with Melody, another intern, Elli, and myself.

I have always been an advocate, but this experience has led me to want to continue in community organizing and community practice after I graduate next year with my master’s degree in social work. I feel so privileged to be interning at CCH, being a part of such a powerful organization helping to fight and one day end homelessness.

-Vanessa Matthews, Speakers Bureau intern

Masters in Social Work (MSW) candidate

DePaul University, Chicago