My ongoing domestic field placement with End Homelessness Winnipeg (EHW) has so far been an exciting learning experience. It serves as an avenue to put into practice some of what I had learned in the classroom, as well as the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of one of Canada's most recognizable development challenges; the scourge of homelessness.
EHW is an organization that aims to create lasting solutions that prevent and end homelessness. The four pillars upon which EHW rests include prevention, person-centered supports, housing supply, and measurement. It is no longer news that Indigenous people are over represented in the population experiencing homelessness in Canada. The organization's approach to putting an end to homelessness therefore stems from its core values guided by the fact that housing is not just a human right that must be respected but that must also be protected within the ambits of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), as well as Canada's Truth and Reconciliation effort which the organization considers as an important path to ending homelessness.
Joining EHW at a time when the organization is analyzing the 2018 Street Health Survey (SHS) has allowed me to translate my classroom knowledge of research methodologies and statistics into actual practice. My roles and responsibilities during this placement include supporting Indigenous and gender-specific data analysis and writing of final research reports. One of the most exciting aspects of my placement, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, is working remotely from the comfort of my home to deliver on tasks and maintaining seamless virtual connections with teammates through video conferencing platforms. I have particularly enjoyed the remote working experience as it has increased my self-confidence and my ability to work independently while at the same time delivering on tasks without compromising on quality.
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