Cat remembers the exact moment she knew N Street Village was the right place for her internship.
“I interviewed back in April 2024 and felt an instant connection,” she shared. “Even through a virtual call, I could feel the passion. The people I spoke with had such a heart for the work. It felt like a place where I could belong—where my energy and values aligned.”
From that moment on, Cat was all in.
During her time at the Village, Cat has developed a more nuanced understanding of what wellness really means—especially in the context of women navigating homelessness and poverty.
“Wellness is caring for the whole person,” she explained. “It’s not just mental health or physical health—it’s everything. Spiritual, emotional, social, vocational. These areas all affect each other.”
Cat has seen firsthand the difference it makes when women gain access to behavioral health services in a trauma-informed, welcoming environment.
“I’ve watched our community become more open to mental health support,” she said. “At first, there was hesitation—but now women are signing up for therapy, attending sessions regularly, and talking openly about it. That’s huge. It means they’re healing.”
To Cat, mental health isn’t a separate issue—it’s foundational to N Street Village’s mission.
“If someone’s mental health isn’t supported, they can’t access other services or focus on their goals. But when you support the whole person, everything becomes possible.”
Reflecting on her journey so far, Cat laughs and says, “This experience ruined me for life—in the best way.”
“I can’t go back to how I saw the world before. N Street Village has shown me how deep community care can go. I’ve been loved and welcomed here in a way I’ll never forget. That’s the kind of space I want to create wherever I go next.”
Cat plans to pursue a master’s in social work and hopes to continue working with women in supportive, empowering environments.
“N Street Village gave me more than an internship,” she said. “It gave me purpose.”