March is National Social Work Month, and we had the great pleasure of sitting down with one of our incredible Social Work Interns, Meg May. Meg is a senior at The Ohio State University and is spending part of her Spring Semester with us.
We spoke with Meg about what brought her to Community Housing Network, what she’s learned so far, and how this experience is shaping her future.
What led you to CHN?
Meg: Through Ohio State’s social work program, we’re required to complete a two-semester internship. When I was exploring options, CHN immediately caught my eye.
I’m especially interested in how a person’s surroundings impact their mental health, and that connection is so clear in homelessness work. You can really see how much a person’s environment matters.
What has been the most impactful part of your experience so far?
Meg: The most meaningful part of social work is always the clients you’re working with. I’ve really appreciated how open the residents have been in terms of letting me shadow and observe. I’m so grateful to be able to do that and have this kind of hands-on learning experience.
How has this experience expanded your understanding of social work?
Meg: One of my favorite moments was seeing people walk into their apartments for the first time at Touchstone II.
Just watching people realize, “This is mine. No strings attached.” It really shows the impact housing can have, not just on someone’s immediate situation, but on their recovery and overall well-being. That’s something I hadn’t seen before.
What have you noticed about the culture at CHN?
Meg: I’ve had the chance to meet with different directors and team members across the organization, and what stands out the most is that everyone has a social work mentality.
Everyone keeps the mission of the organization at the forefront of what they do, no matter what they are working on—even in departments like IT. That commitment is consistent across the entire organization, and it’s really cool to see.
What’s next for you?
Meg: I’d love to continue doing this type of work. My goal is to build a strong foundation in social work and then incorporate more environmental elements into it.
I’m really interested in learning more about how community spaces—like CHN’s gardens or shared outdoor areas—can be integrated into housing and play a role in people’s well-being. I think there’s a lot of opportunity there to support both mental health and community connection.
Meg’s experience is a powerful reminder of the impact that compassionate, mission-driven work can have, not only on the people we serve but on the next generation of those who will serve them.
