Capital Crossroads and Discovery SID ambassadors interact daily with individuals experiencing homelessness. The ambassadors, trained to handle a variety of situations, come to the job with empathy for people on the margins.
One ambassador who joined the SID ambassador team last October has earned that empathy. When Willis applied for his job, he was living at the YMCA.
Willis moved to Columbus from Hartford, where he grew up in group homes and foster care. He’s had numerous ups and downs in his life but saw the move to Columbus as a chance to start again.
A few months after his arrival, his housing situation fell through, and he ended up at the YMCA downtown. While living there and looking for work (he has experience in security and was employed at Giant Eagle security before he was forced to move downtown), Willis met another SID ambassador, Darrell.
“I saw his uniform said ‘Security’ and I have experience in security. I thought the uniform was cool, so I started talking to him. He encouraged me to apply for a safety ambassador position,” explained Willis.
Using the resource center computers at the YMCA, Willis applied for a position and was brought in for an interview. He was selected as a candidate to be an ambassador.
After he was hired, Willis continued to live at the YMCA for several more weeks. As he patrolled the Discovery District neighborhood, Willis connected with a realtor in the area while doing building checks. She had an apartment available, so now Willis lives in his own place downtown, works downtown, and works out downtown. He’s still learning the downtown area both through work and his personal time.
Willis loves being an ambassador, especially the opportunity to help others. “The beauty of this job is that I can ride up to people, to anyone, and talk to them. See if they need shelter. I can talk to them because I have been in their shoes, and I understand where they are. I can show them that it is possible to get off the streets.”
“I love this job; it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I can pay it forward and make a difference in peoples’ lives.”
He hopes to use his experience both on the job and in life to eventually become a police officer.