Above: Matthew Indra, Social Services Intern

Families who’ve just found permanent housing after being homeless face several obstacles. One way you’re helping these families stabilize is through the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program. Program director Katy Polich and Social Work Intern Matthew Indra are your hands and feet, providing support to these fragile families. A first-year Master of Social Work student at UW-Madison, Matthew has over a decade of nursing experience and aims to become a therapist. He’s interning with SVdP Madison to gain experience as a community social worker.

1. Why did you pursue nursing and social work?

I really like working with and taking care of people, and I was always interested in science. I found nursing, and worked in the emergency room while I was finishing up my degree. Then I developed a really great skill and love for working one-on-one with patients. Realizing that many people are struggling mentally and physically. I started learning more about psychotherapy, mental health, psychology, and philosophy, and the more I got into it, the more I realized I wanted to switch into psychotherapy. But I chose social work to pursue a therapy degree because I really love the social work values of human dignity, service, and self-determination. The field has a great holistic view of an individual. We look at systemic factors in people’s lives that contribute to the issues they face.

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2. What have you enjoyed most as an intern?

Over the last few months, I’ve learned how we serve clients in the Seton Program, and that’s been my area of focus. It’s a really great internship because it’s extremely flexible, and Katy allows that, which I greatly appreciate. We do many home visits for single adults with kids within the program. It’s a really great experience to come into clients’ homes, get to know them, understand their goals, and identify the negative events that are impacting their well-being. We try to navigate those waters as best we can together as a team.

3. What are some obstacles people are facing?

Clients are struggling with different things, and a lot of them are newly housed, so I think the main goal is to make sure we do everything we can to support people’s housing. Making sure that everything they need is addressed. Transportation is always a huge issue because if a person has a job but can’t get to work because of transportation issues, that’s a huge barrier to their success, their goals, staying housed, and moving forward in their career.

4. What should people know about the social services SVdP Madison provides?

I think we have a huge impact on people’s lives. People need as much support as possible. Resources and support systems are breaking down. People need our services more than ever; whether it’s mental health services or transportation, or helping people afford their rent or food, whatever that looks like. And I think that we provide all of that and more because we’re also providing that human connection. We care, and it’s not hierarchical. It’s a very “We’re in this together,” kind of attitude. We don’t go into these homes acting like we know what’s best for our clients. Our clients know what’s best for them. And our goal is to meet them at their level and get them where they want to go.

I think St. Vinny’s is very special because of the people who work here. Everybody is willing to help, and I think the people we serve are seen as human beings first, deserving of care. It’s important to see those we serve as human beings, and not as somebody who needs to be fixed. They just need our service. I know people can feel it when they’re looked down upon. It’s very tangible. Most people here don’t have that perspective. We come from a place of respecting our clients and their dignity.