2017 CIIP Program Book 2017 CIIP Program Book | Page 22

Community Partner: Franciscan Center
Intern: Lauren Ralph
Site Supervisor: Meg Ducey and Judy Dobson
What is The Franciscan Center?
The Franciscan Center offers a continuum of care, including emergency
services, health services, counseling and technology training to help persons
who are economically disadvantaged become as self-sufficient as possible and
realize their self-worth and dignity.
"I could not be more grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the Franciscan Center this summer.
The Center operates as a “one-stop shop” for families and individuals in crisis, providing everything from job
training to emergency food bags to haircuts. Each day brought new challenges and opportunities.
I worked primarily with the Department of Responsive Services, where we assisted clients with funds for
evictions, Baltimore Gas and Electric bills, and performed client intakes. By far, my favorite part of working in
this department was registering clients who were visiting the Center for the first time. I had the opportunity
to meet so many wonderful people, understand their stories, and help guide them towards the resources
that we have available.
When I wasn’t working with Responsive Services, I worked to make a list of affordable and quality housing in
Baltimore City. After pouring over different internet sites for days, I finally created a resource list of around
20 housing complexes and 10 landlords with properties within our client’s budget. One of my favorite days of
my internship had to be when a man brought his two children in to thank us for our guidance and explain
how he had found housing in less than an hour using my resource list.
My synthesizing project included surveying clients in our dining area downstairs to understand how we could
better meet their needs. It was incredibly interesting to hear everyone’s stories about the Center and how
their life had been shaped by the work we do. I also received so many suggestions for improvement that
never would have occurred to me. For example, one man explained to me that the brochures listing the
services we provide are entirely useless to the many clients who are unable to read. Sitting down face -to-face
with the people impacted by our work is incredibly important to understanding how well we actually meet
people’s needs.
After spending a summer with the Franciscan Center, I feel that I am truly a member of the Baltimore
community. I have learned far more from the individuals in the Center than they have learned from me. Their
resilience, love, and faith have inspired me and pushed me to become a better version of myself." -Lauren
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Registered first-time
clients and assisted clients
in applying for birth
certificates/Maryland state
IDs and creating
resumes/searching for
employment
Compiled a list of low-
income housing options in
Baltimore city
Performed a survey of
client's experiences and
satisfaction with the
Franciscan Center
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