Stocktoberfest Insights with Symeria T. Hudson, President and CEO – Chapman Partnership

As President and CEO of Chapman Partnership, I champion the fight to end homelessness in Miami for the men, women and children experiencing episodic and generational unhousing, and together, with strong board leadership and a passionate and results-driven team, we are able to provide a solution through our national model of wrap-around services supported by collaborative partnerships and engaged donors. My 20-year background working as a corporate executive in top medical and healthcare companies across the U.S. and Europe shaped my ability to amplify the ROI of our incredible philanthropic community by applying innovative approaches to the challenges of affordable housing and livable wages that rewrites the collective story for our homeless community.

DonateStock: You are tackling two big problems: homelessness and healthcare in under-served communities. What are the biggest challenges you face?

Symeria: Today’s COVID-19 coronavirus public health emergency, and impending historic economic dive, likely will be our most difficult test yet. Homeless people are predisposed to worse health outcomes due to poor living conditions, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare to address chronic and disabling conditions. The state of homelessness is further exacerbated by the lack of affordable housing. Miami is now ranked 2nd in the nation reporting a lack of affordable housing with six in 10 employed adult residents identified as cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their incomes on housing – the highest rate of any large metro in the nation.

DonateStock: How are you tackling these challenges?

Symeria: With the lessons we’ve learned over almost three decades, as well as visionary support from the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and scores of other community partners, we can continue to care for some of Miami’s most vulnerable and keep thousands of families safe and off the streets even during these uncertain and difficult times. We’ve done this with a comprehensive and innovative model focused on case management, meals, health, dental and psychiatric care, day care, job training, job placement, and assistance with securing stable housing – going above and beyond the soup kitchen and shelter model.

DonateStock: What key insights have emerged from the pandemic and is there a silver lining?

Symeria: Lessons learned in the wake of the pandemic have helped us reimagine how we provide comprehensive homeless care to individuals and families in our community. We have learned to bend and readjust quickly and with intention based on the needs of our donors, volunteers, and families. For example, we were able to provide enhanced virtual services through our mobile CHAP (Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Portal) App launched at the onset of the pandemic to maintain our support for those in need. Our mission remained the same, but how we deliver services during the pandemic requires heightened innovation and daily reassessment of our talent and resources to ensure we continue to empower our residents.

DonateStock: How has your approach to fundraising changed?

Symeria: Covid-19 changed the game of philanthropy for many organizations. We had to pivot quickly to virtual events and digital communications to sustain engagement taking on an integrated approach to giving opportunities for individuals, corporations, organizations, religious and civic groups to play a part in fulfilling our mission. But, more importantly, COVID-19 demonstrated the relevance of our work. COVID-19 has posed, and continues to pose, unique risks for people experiencing homelessness who already have limited access to healthcare and struggle for housing stability.

DonateStock: Where do you see new possibilities for innovation?

Symeria: When arriving at Chapman Partnership I knew we had a wonderful foundation. With great community partnerships and leaders and our private partner the Homeless Trust, I knew we had the capability to do even more. We reimagined a business model that allows success for all populations at Chapman. Social Enterprise Academy (SEA) answers some of the biggest issues surrounding homelessness - specifically affordability and livable wages. Designed to provide transformational training and learning for youth and adults ages 18 to 55. Currently, we are just breaking ground on a home for SEA converting our old warehouse into a state-of-the-art learning academy for clients and community partners. Educational offerings will be short-term, high quality, certificate based, and include Chapman's signature Empower You soft skills curriculum.

DonateStock: What else would you like the audience to know?

Symeria: Innovation is in the DNA of how Chapman Partnership succeeds and leads in the fight against homelessness in the nonprofit sector. We have reimagined self-sufficiency through out-of-the-box solutions and forwarding-thinking programs to address the compounded issues facing our most vulnerable population. We are authoring a new blueprint that maps out customized pathways to success that speaks to the real complexities of how a person becomes homeless. From our Social Enterprise Academy offerings to our service and value-trained staff, Parent Workshops and Family Resource Centers, to youth podcast training, we are writing a new chapter at Chapman Partnership that always begins with “Why Not” and ends with changing lives and a reinvestment in our community.