The Poverello Center employs individuals from all walks of life, and our staff bring many different perspectives to the work. A number of our employees are also students at the University of Montana, and they pair their work with learning.
Ben Kelly started working for the Poverello Center during the 2022 Winter Shelter season, and balanced his classes with direct care hours. He’s back at the shelter this year, after taking the summer off, and he says he “loves working for the Pov” It’s hard to pick just one memorable moment to share, but his favorite part of working with guests at the Pov is “knowing people’s names, and knowing people in the community. I feel like it’s a privilege to know these people, and to get to provide food, shelter, help, and hope in the moment.”
Ben is working on a double major in Social Work and Parks and Recreation Management, and says that the classes work well in tandem with his work at the shelter. He finds that his experiences at the Poverello Center often apply to class discussions, but “it’s not the only piece of the pie. There’s a huge social welfare system,” and it’s interesting to learn about the larger picture and how the Poverello Center fits into the network of support.
Ben has always wanted to be in a career that allows him to help. “I’m really interested in boots on the ground work, where we can provide hope and work towards major solutions through academics,” he says, and he is excited to continue working in all realms to provide support to people who need it.