We at Project SAGE support clients as they navigate challenging personal circumstances. Having stable housing is the key towards being able to live an independent life. Jesi is our Housing Advocate, who administers the HUD-funded Rapid Rehousing Program. This one-year bridge program removes the barriers to gaining stable housing for victims of domestic violence. For many survivors of domestic violence, this is the first time they have ever had a home of their own.
Jesi works closely with Project SAGE clients to help them take the next step out of surviving and into thriving by securing stable and sustainable housing. Jesi guides clients through the multiple programs that intersect to make stable housing a reality, including state and federal programs providing disability benefits, food resources, child care, and more. Jesi works with clients to identify employment opportunities and other potential income streams that can be funneled towards housing, while Rapid Rehousing acts as a safety net, guaranteeing that clients will have up to a year of housing so they can get back on their feet. To make the many moving pieces work together harmoniously, Jesi maintains a robust network of connections with landlords, hospitals, mental health facilities, and other individuals and organizations who work with unhoused populations. To date, Jesi has helped 30 families including 91 kids move into stable housing through the Rapid Rehousing program. Jesi says, "This is why I got into this line of work: to see clients take these next steps towards independence. I love my job. I get a front row seat to watch people's lives getting better."
