Name: Sam Curry-Levine

Social Justice Group: 2021-2022, Homelessness—Communities of Color and Children

Date of Fieldwork: January 31, 2022

Name of Organization and person (people) with whom you met and their title(s):Nicole McVinua from Urban Pathways(Director of Policy)

Type of Fieldwork: Interview

What I did and what I learned about my topic, activism, social justice work or civil and human rights work from this fieldwork?[:: :

On Monday, January 31st, our group was honored to meet with Nicole McVinua. Nicole McVinua works with Urban Pathways and is the Director of Policy. She has been working for Urban Pathways for more than 3 years.

Nicole told us about the big cause of homelessness. That really was affordable housing. There are many others, but that is the main cause. Even though this goal to end homelessness is endless, she has done much work to make policies and fight for those in need.

She really opened our eyes and made us aware how long it takes to make one tiny step towards this goal. But she even says every step is worth it. I was really surprised, but impressed with the policies she is working on. She told us from when she started working for Urban Pathways, till now, she got one policy passed and it has helped several. I know right, isn’t it shocking how long it takes for a policy to be passed? It was also shocking that the person we interviewed later; Sham’s DaBaron, was known by Nicole because they talked and worked a bit together when Sham’s got connected with Urban Pathways.

We had such a great time with Nicole and it was incredible talking to someone who fights and works on issues that our group is researching for the Social Justice Project.