Rocki Simões, Avenues' GLBT Host Home Program Manager, has been featured in a project that documents American history and culture through people's work. Social service provider and longtime friend of Avenues, Margaret Miles, interviewed Rocki as part of her Archie Green Fellowship project, through which she is documenting workers who provide emergency services for the homeless in three cities: Bismarck, Chicago and Minneapolis-St Paul.

"When you describe what you do 40 hours a week, it tells so much more about our history and culture," Margaret explained. "I wanted to show a broad variety of services addressing homelessness."

Rocki was interviewed for her work with the GLBT Host Home Program. Other interviewed organizations include the Night Ministry Health Outreach Bus (a bus that brings health care support to tent cities in Chicago), and Ministry on the Margin, an agency that supports folks transitioning out of prison. 

"You would think we would know all the best practices," Margaret said about homeless service providers. "But the work is ever-changing in a field of rapid-responders. We're all trying to create quicker ways to help people get out of homelessness."

Although Margaret interviewed many organizations with different approaches to ending homelessness, she found common themes in the work being done and among those doing the work. 

"Nobody was complacent. Nobody thought their work was the best. Everyone was continually evaluating and adjusting their work, and intentionally listening to the homeless to hear what they had to say. As soon as we stop listening, our work becomes ineffective." 

Margaret's project, including Rocki's interview, will be archived in the Library of Congress.