Rising Star in Service: Jessica’s Impact Through Heading Home Corps

When Jessica joined Heading Home Corps as a Housing Resource Navigator in September 2024, she brought nearly two decades of experience in social work as a mental health practitioner. What she found through service was not only a new career path, but a place where her passion for helping others could make a larger impact. 

After about a year with Heading Home Corps, Jessica’s dedication and advocacy earned her the Rising Star Award at the annual Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Conference — an honor recognizing individuals with fewer than five years of experience addressing homelessness and advancing housing stability. 

“I’ve never won an award before,” Jessica shares. “It feels very humbling. It’s just really nice to know that people are seeing that I’m doing my best — because that’s all I’m doing.” 

Advocacy in Action

As a Housing Resource Navigator at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Jessica brings advocacy to her role every day. She focuses on helping people navigate housing challenges that can be complicated, stressful, and urgent. Whether connecting clients with resources, coordinating with community partners, or helping people navigate barriers in the housing system, Jessica is committed to finding solutions and supporting people through difficult situations.   

This work became especially important during severe flooding in her community last summer. When dozens of apartment units were displaced, and many residents needed help, Jessica raised the importance of Heading Home Corps being part of the response effort. “We should be up there,” she says. “I ended up coordinating getting the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services team involved in that effort.”  

The team was able to get involved on the ground, helping ensure residents were aware of their tenant rights, connected to emergency services, and supported with other critical resources during a difficult time.  

For Jessica, moments like this reflect why the work matters and how much she has grown. She credits Heading Home Corps with strengthening her role as an advocate and helping her lead with more confidence and passion in her day-to-day work. “I feel like I fit very well here,” she said.   

Showing Up Every Day

Like many in the housing field, Jessica sees firsthand how quickly needs can grow. Even when systems are strained, she remains focused on what matters most: showing up for people in crisis. 

“For every person you house, five more get evicted,” she notes. “But we’re just doing what we can to make sure people are safe and warm.” 

Jessica says recognition for service is meaningful — but what motivates her most is knowing her work makes a difference, one person at a time. 

As she nears the end of her second term of service, her commitment remains true as she focuses on one core goal: helping people access safe, stable housing. “My goal when I come in here is to get people housing,” she said. “That’s my only goal.” 

If you’re passionate about serving your community and helping more Minnesotans find a safe place to call home, visit Ampact.US/Heading-Home to apply.