Neighborhood Center Intern sets sights to help homeless in LA

Jaime Gutierrez has been working for The Bridge shelter here at the Neighborhood Center for four months and recently graduated from UCF with a Bachelors in Social Services, majoring in Social Work.

As Jaime heads back to California to be closer to his family, he intends to take his learning experiences from The Bridge and continue to serve the homeless population.

Jaime has set sights on working in outreach, being first-hand in the field providing services and resources to the homeless, on the “new skid row” at Venice Beach near Los Angeles.

Director Michael Forester shares what a true asset Jaime has been during his short time here. “He developed a great rapport with both the Bridge team members and our clients. He has a good work ethic, is very personable and empathetic. I believe he will have a future full of much success, and we will miss having him here.”

Jaime says the thing he enjoyed the most about interning at The Bridge was seeing the change in the clients once they received services. “You can see the difference in their character as they become successful and as we do our part to support getting them back on their feet. The homeless are a very vulnerable population. On a national level, our country needs to think outside of the box in creating services and resources to help bring the homeless numbers down. We need more places like The Bridge shelter. Where the staff and volunteers offer care and compassion to every client and truly want to uplift their lives to how they used to be and surpass that.”

We wish happy trails to our friend and intern Jaime as he embarks on this new phase in life. We have complete confidence in him and are proud to know that he desires to share the Neighborhood Center’s programs to bring hope to the homeless across the country.

Jaime is pictured here with the Bridge Director, Michael Forrester.