On The Case

Jennifer Yearwood, case manager for A Home For Everyone In DeKalb’s two transitional homes, understands the work she does from a personal perspective. Her own lived experience inspires her. “I was chronically homeless as a young adult. I ended up getting into transitional housing”. Besides working with residents of AHFEID’s Snapfinger House and the Oakhurst Women’s Workforce group home, Jennifer’s day job is as a housing support coordinator for Open Doors, another local non-profit.

It was Jennifer’s case worker who was pivotal in her decision to pursue a career in social work.

“She encouraged me to attend school, and I completed an internship where I gained valuable insights into rapid-rehousing. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness individuals navigate the complexities of the system and strive to secure essential resources for permanent housing. These resources may include employment, access to benefits, and care for medical and dental needs, all of which may have been neglected for an extended period. Some individuals may also face challenges with behavioral health, which itself presents a complex system. While these challenges can be daunting, I believe the most difficult aspect is witnessing individuals re-enter homelessness. This can occur due to unwillingness, inability, or lack of motivation to change their circumstances. It’s particularly challenging when you genuinely want to help someone but they are resistant to taking action.”

Initially, Jennifer was deterred from pursuing a career in housing due to the numerous barriers within the system.

“From a provider’s perspective, it felt like there was $100 on the floor, but 500 people were standing around, all in need of it. Additionally, there were 800 rules to obtain just $10 of that $100. It was overwhelming,” she explains.

However, Jennifer counsels clients to remain resilient and not be afraid to seek help or give up.

“Even if you contacted them two weeks ago and they informed you that the money had been exhausted, the housing ecosystem is constantly evolving. I once believed that I would never achieve any of the accomplishments I’ve made. When you least expect it, the right person will appear in your life to guide you through this challenging process.”

She shared a bit about her work at Open Doors, a small but powerful non-profit organization that operates like a Home For Everyone In DeKalb. Open Doors connects non-profits with real estate operators to help clients maintain their housing. Jennifer, a housing support navigator, provides direct support to help clients, primarily veterans, stay in their homes. She discovered that during the 4th to 9th month after exiting homelessness, clients often experience a life event that causes them to fall behind on rent and potentially get evicted.