HSD Employee Spotlight—Dwight Jackson
The Unified Care Team (UCT) is a multi-department collaboration involving the Human Services Department (HSD), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Public Utilities, and others. Its role is to provide pathways indoors for our unhoused neighbors while ensuring public spaces remain open and accessible to all.
As part of the UCT, HSD Outreach Teams connect people experiencing unsheltered homelessness with available shelter beds and other services. Dwight Jackson is a Managing Regional Coordinator who supervises HSD Outreach Teams in central and south Seattle. In our latest Employee Spotlight, Dwight writes about this critical work, its challenges, and its rewards.
What’s something that people in Seattle might not know about your job or the role of the UCT in general?
Each day our team helps people get “unstuck” from their current way of living. At times, we help them make immediate changes by connecting them with shelter and other supports. Other times, we establish a relationship and begin building trust so they are eventually able to make healthy changes in their life. Our HSD Outreach Team has worked long hours—10- to 12-hour days— seeking out people living unsheltered during inclement weather. We partner with SPR and SDOT to utilize vans and buses to find people and offer transport to warming/cooling centers, severe weather shelters, and other options amid extreme weather.
How do you and your team navigate challenging situations?
Treating people with respect goes a long way. Allow people space to make a choice. When working to gain a person’s trust, I always ask if it’s OK that I approach their tent. We could walk right up to a tent on a right-of-way, but demonstrating respect by asking permission helps establish a rapport and relationship. Instead of telling them what’s best for them, I ask if I can offer an alternative healthy perspective.
Taking the time to listen also helps. People want to be seen and heard. I may not always be able to follow where their mind is taking the conversation, but I give them time and space to share. This is often appreciated and can become currency banked for positive relations.
How has your job changed in recent years?
I came to HSD in 2019 after working for 12 years in homelessness services in both south and east King County. My time at HSD started as an outreach worker—Systems Navigator was the job title—to be a trained, experienced presence who visits encampments to help people get connected to needed services. Our team has since grown, allowing me an opportunity to lead and support staff in building upon this work.
What’s the best part of your job or what keeps you going when times are tough?
Meaning is what brought me to this work and keeps me in it. I was raised to live a life of meaning, and I strive to be an example in my family and community. Also, I get to witness the human spirit of resilience—courage, hope, inner strength. It’s inspiring to witness and share.
The work can be tiring and daunting at times. But I’ve gained a new perspective about true hardship doing this work. The challenges I face really aren’t that difficult compared to those of the people I serve. This perspective helps me work through my challenges. So I get as much as I give to this work. Honestly, it’s a blessing to have chosen this work and be in this position.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
