Welcome Home Shelter &

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Case Management

​

Bridging Maple Avenue: Integrated Support System for Women and Families at Welcome Home Shelter and Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Case Management

​

Student Interns:
Paul Kim, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Katie Raymer, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill

​

Academic Preceptors:
Jennifer Cummings, DO, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Mary Haus, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill

​

Community Preceptors:
Tracy Scott, Program Director, Welcome Home
Sue Soroko, Program Director, Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Case Management

​

Community Sites:
Welcome Home provides a safe haven and essential support services for homeless families and single women. As an emergency housing program, they offer temporary refuge for 30 to 60 days, giving residents the time and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Case Management has a “no wrong door policy” that ensures that everyone receives comprehensive support. Although they specialize in substance and alcohol use disorders, they help anyone in need by connecting them to vital services such as mental health support, legal aid, and food and rehabilitation programs.

 

Team’s Experience:
After collecting data from residents, staff members, and various human services organizations around the community, the Bridging the Gaps student interns established a collaborative system between the Welcome Home Shelter and Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Case Management (WeDACM) to provide comprehensive support to women and families experiencing homelessness. The initiative streamlined the intake process at the shelter to ensure that every individual was automatically connected with WeDACM for tailored support services, including substance use treatment, mental health care, and other essential resources. The interns also updated a resource packet, found stable housing for two individuals, updated resource bulletin boards, scheduled a doctor’s appointment for a shelter resident, and developed relationships with nearby human service agencies.

​

Reflections:
Paul Kim: “This was a very enlightening and torturous internship for me. I learned so much about the systems behind human services and am grateful for it. To be aware of the faults and benefits, I now feel equipped to make an impact on not only the people who need help but also to effectively create change in the ways we administer them.”

Katie Raymer: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to connect with everyone at Welcome Home and WeDACM. Each conversation and shared story opened my eyes to the resilience and strength of these individuals, providing me with invaluable insights that I will continue to carry with me. This experience has deepened my understanding of how intricately woven outside factors are in shaping a person’s health and well-being. The journey was emotionally exhausting, yet it brought immense gratification. Witnessing firsthand the challenges and triumphs of those I worked with has left an indelible mark on my heart. One of the most profound lessons I learned is that success is deeply personal and unique to each individual. Celebrating these personal victories has shifted my perspective on what it means to succeed. This experience has not only enriched my professional understanding but has also touched me on a personal level. The compassion, strength, and resilience I witnessed will continue to inspire me as I strive to provide empathetic and comprehensive care to my future patients.”