I’d like to welcome Clarissa Breard, Daybreak intern. How did you choose Daybreak [for your internship] or how did you come to find us?
We had four different site placements [through our program at the Fitz Center for Leadership at University of Dayton] that were set for us, and it was Daybreak, Homefull, Dayton Children’s and Miami Valley Child Development Center.
So, we had one of those options and it was ironic because I met with my director and asked, “Where do you see me? What’s your vision?”
And he was said, “You’re at Daybreak.”
I said, “Okay. I don’t know any better, I’m not from here.”
Then we got to meet Tyra and Alicia because they came and talked to us about what Daybreak is and I thought that sounds so fun. Also, I’m the only queer person in our cohort. So that was one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to come here. I wanted to work the queer side of everything too and I thought that would be interesting to see.
We had to write a paper when we first came here about what’s our why and all that. It’s kind of dark but I wrote—my parents never kicked me out—but why didn’t they? I’m gay too but I didn’t get kicked out and why and there is no answer to that. I’m learning there really is none. And I think that’s very interesting myself, that it really was like I just got lucky, and these kids didn’t and that’s so unfortunate.
It’s interesting to ask the question from that side because a lot of times people ask it when you do get kicked out and then they ask why but to kind of reverse engineer it there.
Yeah, I know. Like, why didn’t I? And I still think about that every day I come back here. They didn’t have to keep me. They didn’t have to keep me for any reason, but they did and I’m very lucky in that sense.
That can be a really powerful why.
Yeah, I was showing that [paper] to someone when I first got here because I was typing it and I started crying. I didn’t come out to my parents till last year anyways, so I had committed being here before I even come out to them. Even so, I just think that’s very interesting and then I feel like I’m on that journey with the clients too. So, it’s interesting in that sense of I’m outside my University of Dayton bubble. I get to engage in the community. It’s the whole reason why I joined the program to begin with.
What is it that you’re studying at UD?
Psychology.
How has Daybreak changed or grown since you’ve come here?
It’s interesting. When we first met with Tyra, she said, “This is a big growth period. This is a really exciting time to be here.”
And I was like, okay. I mean, this is my first job ever because I’ve been too busy with so many other things. I was like, okay whatever you say.
It really has been a growth period of just even us. Our role has become bigger in the sense of we have more responsibility. We’re also connected more to YHDP (Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program) and we’re getting involved in some of that.
So, that’s kind of scary. We had a meeting about 2-3 months ago and we did the focus group. We were in charge of that YHDP focus group.
Bailey [Daybreak’s Housing Director] said, “Hey, by the way we’re doing a meeting if you want to join us.”
We agreed to go, and we sat there and introduced ourselves.
Then everyone asked, “You guys did the focus group? Clarissa, I see that your name’s on here. You did the focus group?”
And I said, “Yeah.”
Then they said, “Well, can I ask you questions?”
I was like, “Uh, yeah sure. What do you mean?”
Half the meeting was me talking because they kept asking us questions. So, I think that was interesting too. It’s interesting seeing the county also get so invested.
Yeah, and to see you as somewhat of a community expert in what you’re doing and point of reference.
I actually could answer the questions, and it was incredible. I think that in itself too. There’s also lots of different things like all these grants that are coming in. Like the sensory room, that was something I had kind of started working on. I threw that office together as a place for clients who need a place to go with space.
That’s how that got started. But I’m also glad that got picked up by you guys, too. You wrote the grant.
Right, it was from The Dayton Foundation.
Yeah, we’re in the same building as Dayton Foundation [with my University of Dayton program]. I think that’s so interesting. I was like, “Wow, it really did get picked up.”
It was interesting to see that, too, and just how much the clients really needed that space. It was something so small that I decided we would just throw a coloring kit in there and whatever else I can find, and we’ll call it a sensory room.
And honestly, a lot less fights happened. So, that was nice too. That really did make a difference, and our clients use it a lot and it’s nice that they do that instead of yelling at one of us. I think that’s been one of the biggest changes of something that I started something so small, it became really.
Yeah, it’s awesome to have that place.
It’s nice that even though we’re interns, we’ve had such a big voice in so many different things and we’ve been able to be involved in so many different areas. I’m very thankful for Tyra that she’s allowed us in on all of the staff meetings last year that they did.
We were in all of them, and we had to stay in all of them. It’s nice seeing how much they really do treat us like equals. We were actually having a conversation next door because we’re getting used to being next door, too. And we’re talking to someone who asked, “How old are you guys?”
And I answered 21.
They thought I was 26. thought that was interesting, too, that we really do come off that way that we know something.
Yeah, for sure. So, what do you think has surprised you the most like over in your time here?
Oh, that’s a good one. I think just how many clients come through is so interesting and that that’s always changing. Which sometimes can be good and sometimes can be bad which I don’t like to think about it that way. But recently there are two or three clients that we started with that we’ve seen them go through being in shelter up into the upstairs Opportunity Housing and now they’re out in the community.
That’s so cool to see that and watch them graduate the program. I think that’s nice too, how cool it is to see some of them. Some of them have seen me out and come up to me to talk. I’m not allowed to say anything, obviously, until they come up to me. ” But it’s nice knowing that even though we’re out in the community too, they will still come up to us and say hi or they’ll give us a wave even if they don’t want to say anything.
It’s nice seeing that acknowledgement, too.
Yeah, definitely. To see someone go through the whole program like that, that’s really cool.
What do you most enjoy that’s the question what do you most enjoy about what we do here
There are so many different things that are offered which is unique to see and that there’s a space for everything. If there’s not that space, as an intern I’m able to say, “Hey, by the way this could be something that we can work on.”
And they say back, you’re right let’s work on it. It’s the freedom of growth.
Yes! Thank you for your time!
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