Member of the Month – January 2025: Samuel Stauffer, MCAH
Samuel Stauffer is finishing up his first year as an AmeriCorps Member with the Michigan Coalition against Homelessness program. The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program is a statewide program serving individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The focus of the program is to provide direct, targeted services to those in need to assist them with obtaining and maintaining safe, affordable housing and to increase self-sufficiency in the areas of income, life skills, and employment.
After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a political science degree Stauffer began serving with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Stauffer is the Housing Search and Information Specialist at his host site, TrueNorth Community Services. TrueNorth Community Services strengthens rural and urban communities and empowers individuals by meeting them wherever their needs are.
Stauffer was eager to begin learning and gaining experience. To understand the needs of those experiencing homelessness or struggling with housing, Stauffer shadowed case managers in their day to day work. According to Assistant Program Director, Eric Krogsrud, “Sam was willing to learn, listen and truly try to understand what our participants face on a daily basis.”
During his time at TrueNorth Stauffer has reached out to landlords to advocate for those he is serving and helps participants with rental applications. Stauffer is also responsible for inventorying donations and making sure they reach the participants as well as organizing food boxes for the rapid rehousing program. In addition, Stauffer organizes volunteers to help with a hygiene drive during homeless awareness month.
Melissa Geroux, Housing Services Director at TrueNorth Community Services, states that Stauffer “has been patient and kind, giving resources and always treating those that walk through our front doors with respect and dignity. Sam has learned the balance of listening, providing feedback, doing problem solving, while also setting boundaries,” Geroux continues, “it has been a pleasure to see the growth in Sam. He has gained confidence throughout his time at TrueNorth.”
Learn more about the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program and other Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs making a positive impact in communities across Michigan. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.
