Image from: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dhs/images/misc/nyc_homebase_campaign_1.jpg

In early December, our poverty group went to Homebase, a homeless prevention network. Homebase helps people who are at risk of becoming homeless. They offer a range of services, including job placement assistance, help relocating and services to prevent eviction. At Homebase, we interviewed Stacy Cedeno, who is the head of the protection services. Stacy explained to us how Homebase keeps people out of homeless. They go to schools and provide brochures for the kids to give to their parents. To be eligible for Homebase services, one must have to be at imminent risk of entering the New York City shelter system or have a low income. To contact Homebase and to use their free services, one just has to call 311. Homebase can help develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve long-term housing stability. They provide counseling and therapy. This fieldwork inspired us to inform people that there is a way to stay out of poverty. Our next steps is to plan a walk to raise money for a small organization.  We are also currently making a mini poverty documentary. This fieldwork has guided us and is teaching us about the specifics about our topic. Overall, we had a very successful and informative interview.