From The Desk of Audi - Week 3 at FYP

Hello! 

This week has been more focused on finishing up some projects. I am making the final touches to my PowerPoint presentation to present to the HALS COC meeting next week. As well as the annual sleepout on November 17th and town hall that is in a few weeks. Things are slowly coming together.

For my new project I have been working on creating a rough draft for host applications and contracts. The Fenix Youth Project has the exciting news of getting approved for host housing!

I have also learned about new policies that have been implemented that could and will affect the homeless population overall. Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 - Police Discipline and Law Enforcement Programs and Procedures and Maryland House Bill 189. The Accountability Act prohibits a police officer from preventing a citizen from recording the officer's actions if the citizen is otherwise acting lawfully and safely. Also learned that HB 189 is a Pilot Program in the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization to provide funds to nonprofit organizations to establish or expand mobile laundry services for the homeless. 

I’m excited to learn more during my internship.

Learning a lot with FYP

Hello!

As promised I would inform ya’ll about what I have learned from the conference. A lot of services that are offered depend on a lot of requirements that not everyone qualifies for. This makes finding housing a barrier along with some agencies picking people as the “star child” or favorite and forgetting about others who are also deserving of help! Along with a lot of policies that are not Trans inclusive, which could be lifesaving.

These past two weeks I have called business about becoming sponsors for our annual sleepout event happening November 17th. I have also attended a meeting with social work students at Salisbury University to discuss the youth-led town hall on youth homelessness on October 21st. I am excited about the turnout!  

Stay tuned.

I’ll have more next week.

My First Week interning at FYP!

Hello! 

My name is Audacious Douglas and I am an intern for the 2021-2022 year. My first week at Fenix Youth Project Inc has been very informative. I started my week off by getting accustomed to the faculty and my responsibilities based on my learning plan. I completed training based on how to better serve the  LGBTQ+  youth, especially the homeless population. I learned a lot about the homeless population specifically in the Eastern shore area. I attended my first HALS CoC meeting where I learned that finding funding for temporary housing, such as hotels is a major issue. I was also able to attend the Point Source Youth Conference: Youth Homelessness where I gained more knowledge that I can’t wait to share in my next post!