From the president
Kassidy Rouse demonstrates significant leadership abilities. Since her freshman year at Bethel, Kassidy has served as the Marketing and Development Intern at Urban Homeworks, a powerful housing justice community-based organization in North Minneapolis. Kassidy’s abilities to effectively manage her own time, communicate well, and handle administrative tasks have been a huge benefit to Urban Homeworks. Kassidy humbly serves Urban Homeworks by doing administrative tasks which have freed up Urban Homeworks staff members to take care of other critical matters related to public policy reform and community organizing, as well as the creation of affordable housing. The staff of Urban Homeworks speaks very highly of Kassidy, and she has built a high degree of trust with them over the years because of her willingness to show up and get the work done. Kassidy also shows a great deal of respect for the neighborhood members whom Urban Homeworks serves and has demonstrated an ability to treat all people with dignity. Kassidy is a compassionate, empathetic, and curious learner who holds a commitment to honor others regardless of race, class, gender, socio-economic status, or beliefs. She sets an excellent example for her peers of humble service, regard for others, work ethic, and responsibility.
Personal Statement
I have been working with a non-profit named Urban Homeworks for the past three years. It works to provide housing for lower-income families in Northern Minneapolis. Housing rights are such an important issue to me and I have been truly blessed to work with this organization. There are so many issues facing society, and housing issues include so many of these issues as housing also intersects with classism, racism, and the lasting effects of redlining on cities. Helping to ensure that people have dignified housing is more than just protecting people from the weather: it also helps to get people back on their feet because many jobs need a permanent address in order to even apply. These barriers ensure that people who are experiencing homelessness cannot escape it, and Urban Homeworks is helping to end that cycle. There are a lot of issues in this world, but I believe that by working together and going into everything with love and respect for everyone, we can help to improve our world and our society little by little.