Staff Spotlight: Our Columbus Housing Specialist, Haby
Meet our Housing Specialist in Columbus, Haby! Haby is a Senegalese American originally from Brooklyn, New York and reps her #FulaniGang with pride. She’s a recent graduate from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, a focus in international relations, and a minor in Africana studies. While joining the US Together team was her first step post-graduation, Haby is no stranger to Franklin County or its legal sector as she’s worked directly with Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce in previous years. She fluently speaks English, Fulani, Wolof, French, and American Sign Language and has spent some time studying Arabic and Russian.
In a typical day, Haby’s responsibilities can vary depending on a variety of factors from airport arrivals to finding our clients housing. Generally speaking, her job is to find #SafeDecentSanitary housing for clients, set up their utilities, and purchase all their set up materials such as furniture. However, with the housing crisis happening in Columbus, this hasn’t been such a linear process for Haby. Many properties are turning away our clients and making it extremely difficult to get them into secure housing as fast as possible. One of her goals, as the housing specialist, is to have every client in the reception and placement program placed directly into their homes. “In a perfect world, I would be able to lead the family to their new apartment, condo or townhome, straight from the airport, and hand them their keys!” says Haby. “All with the unit fully furnished and stocked with culturally appropriate foods and groceries.” Seeing the excitement that families have for their fully furnished space and being able to start their lives in a new country is what makes it all worthwhile for our housing specialist.
Outside of work Haby is an adventurous and playful person who loves cooking, trying new foods, and decompressing by watching television. She also loves to travel from road trips to international flights, and it is no surprise that her home country, Senegal, is her favorite place to visit. Haby continues to be inspired by her oldest sister who, “has always made her dreams into a reality” and uses that motivation in her role as a public servant. “I get to help people who need it the absolute most, which are newly arrived migrants, many of which are in the United States to seek refuge,” she says. “It is a very fruitful experience every day that I come into work.”
One thing Haby wants our supporters to know is that regardless of our client's status, they are human beings first! “Allow them to show themselves, that way we get to know them for who they are and what they stand for!”