Alumni Feature: Rachel Stoltzfus ’13

“I am working at the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco, Calif., as a housing associate. The housing program at my agency has a rental assistance program in which we are able to help low-income families and single mothers by providing a security deposit that enables them to move into their new place. Half of my time is spent doing housing administrative work and the other half is spent doing case management for our housing cases.

I decided to do Mennonite Voluntary Service because it was the best option for me. I wanted to live in a big city and somehow still be connected to the Mennonite community. I also knew that I wanted to live in community with others, because it is extremely hard moving to a place all on your own with no connections. I’m not saying it’s not doable; it’s just hard. I also knew that I would need some type of job experience, especially if I want to go on and get my master’s in social work. MVS just happened to provide all three of those important things for me.

My job significantly challenges me and my learnings about social work. It has shifted my textbook view of what poverty and homelessness is and made it more realistic. I am also doing case management, which requires an assessment on every client as well as offering them support, encouragement and access to resources. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect placement to really put my social work skills and knowledge to use.”