“This experience offered invaluable insights, helping me grow both professionally and personally.”
– Ava Freeman
Co-op Term: Fall 2024
Position: Housing Resource Specialist
Employer: Pine Street Inn
At Pine Street Inn, Ava managed a caseload of clients, tackling everything from housing to immigration paperwork to benefits applications. Balancing one-on-one client meetings with team collaboration, she brought steady support and resourcefulness to people navigating one of the hardest chapters of their lives.
Ava’s coursework in counseling, clinical psychology, and the nonprofit sector became the foundation for her work at Pine Street Inn. She used active listening and empathetic communication to build real trust with clients, helping them feel heard as they navigated their housing search.
Beyond applying what she already knew, she sharpened new skills in organization, adaptability, and cross-departmental collaboration, learning to manage a full caseload while working alongside clinical teams to provide well-rounded support for each client. Every housing placement was proof that patience, persistence, and genuine care could make a real difference in someone’s life, and it’s what kept Ava showing up for her clients every day.
