CSH, in collaboration with Skid Row Housing Trust, A Community of Friends, and Housing Works, is launching a new supportive housing resident initiative, the Supportive Housing Community Advocates Project. The goal of the Community Advocates Project is to provide a united and coordinated effort to train supportive housing residents to educate the general public, inform funders and policy makers on the solutions to homelessness and the impact of supportive housing. Using their own experiences, Advocates will address myths and stereotypes held by the general public regarding homelessness, the causes of homelessness and solutions. The Community Advocates Project seeks to provide supportive housing residents with the knowledge and skills to use their personal stories to influence the political environment and public opinion. Advocates will be trained to provide information about homelessness and the impact of supportive housing.
Volunteer coaches are needed to assist in training residents. Coaches should be interested in the issues around homelessness; compassionate and patient individuals with experience in public speaking, acting, editing, storytelling or spoken word. Coaches should also be able to donate between ten and fifteen hours per month, able to work with 3 to 5 residents, commit to one year of service (September 2013 – August 2014) and attend monthly training sessions.
Successful coaches will have the following skills set, knowledge base and personal characteristics:
- Ability to be accepting and honest and to assist tenants in honestly telling their stories
- Knowledgeable of narrative development
- Experience working with media
- Ability to facilitate small and large groups
- Public speaking experience
- Knowledgeable of the arc of storytelling
- Elocution and presence
- Good listening skills
- The ability to hear personal and emotional material
- The ability to engage and build relationships with tenants
- Willing to participate in designing, developing and evaluating the training program
