Why I do what I do – Sarah Novotny, Homeless Outreach Case Manager

The homeless outreach team will tell you, because I mentioned it multiple times in my interview, I do what I do because I want to help people. I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had dreams that I knew would never come true but once I realized I wanted to help those in need, all it took was some searching and I was so under qualified but so lucky to be hired as a homeless outreach PATH case manager.

I wish I had the length to explain why I do what I do, in depth. But really there’s so many reasons and experiences to even pick out what I should share. I’ve struggled with my mental health many times, and I’ve experienced other people who struggle with mental health. I’ve also been around those who have been homeless due to mental health challenges.

Those who struggle with being homeless either come from never having anything or having everything and losing it all. I’ve always felt like I didn’t have a lot of things growing up, I was wrong. Through this job, I’ve explored the challenges of mental health and the challenges that mental health can create. With this job, I can help people bounce back from rock bottom, I can help people have a normal place to bathe and sleep, I can help those who don’t understand how important therapy and med checks can be.

The Bert Nash staff has made this job wonderful, but helping the clients is something beyond any feeling you can get doing any other job. Being a mental health worker is the most underrated job. I was very nervous and anxious to start this job, but now that I’m doing it I can’t see myself ever doing anything that doesn’t involve helping people.

During the pandemic, a lot of adjustments have been made but what the homeless outreach team continues to do is hustle every single day. My supervisors have been incredibly supportive of creating boundaries that we are comfortable with while still getting the job done. We’ve been extremely successful in housing clients every week. As the only female outreach worker, it creates some challenges but there is nothing I would trade. 

There’s not many things in my life I can say I’m proud of, but I can confidently say I’m very proud to be part of Bert Nash and to serve the population I serve. Whatever negative experiences and situations we’re going through, just know they can lead you somewhere wonderful.