Staff Spotlight: Sherry Stedman (Case Manager)
Sherry knew she wanted to help people. Thinking the police force would be the place to be, she began training and education for a career in law enforcement. Once on the path to be a police officer, Sherry realized what was missing from this was the personal contact with those who were truly in need. Sherry soon realized social work was the correct route for her, where she could interact with people, develop relationships, and see the positive impact she could have in her community.
Returning to university part time while working at relevant organizations from victim assistance, kinship families and homeless veterans - enabled her to get her qualifications and lots of on-the-job training simultaneously. It took her some time, but Sherry’s 15 years of experience with various subsets of the homeless community has brought her clients invaluable administrative and logistical assistance in navigating the resources available to those in need, but more so the emotional support that is so crucial to folks experiencing homelessness.
She eventually found out about CSPI and identified with the mission to support those people sheltering in their vehicles to bring themselves out of homelessness and toward a more stable life provide a great deal of satisfaction. Being a case manager for people sheltering in vehicles, involves a lot of outreach, research and coordination to keep each client moving in a positive direction. Every case is different, but the one commonality Sherry strives to ensure is that they feeling connected to part of a community that wants all to succeed and they are not alone.
By putting herself in their shoes, she uses empathy and her honest and down-to-earth manner to ensure clients can come to her with any issue. Sherry builds a personal connection and good rapport with her clients which allows her to celebrate, motivate or have difficult conversations, as the case may require.
Although there are definitely highs (people returning to permanent housing) and lows (slipping further into homelessness) Sherry keeps motivated and stays positive through the personal connections with her clients and sharing in the little daily victories. One person finding the confidence to handle a housing authority matter on his own or another client’s call simply stating they’ve showered and shaved – these small steps toward their goals. This is a key part of Sherry’s work is to help identify services and steps needed but allowing the individuals to undertake these steps for themselves. Building the confidence with each small step helps empower them for future challenges and fosters greater possibilities.
People like Sherry are one of the key reasons CSPI is able to create a SafeLot experience a supportive, stable, productive and caring community for people sheltering in their vehicles until they are rehoused.
