2011 Support and Outreach Summer Student, Rochelle Houle

Hi, my name is Rochelle. I am a Cree woman from a small northern reserve. I have finished my first year in Community Social Work out of Portage College. I am now going into my second and last year. I was given the opportunity to do my first year placement with HIV Edmonton back in December 2010. In April, this year, I applied and was then offered HIV Edmonton’s Support and Outreach Summer Student position.

Since being at HIV Edmonton, I have learned so much as a person and as a student. I was always interested in things like sexually transmitted infections including HIV as well as various other diseases, and I really thought that this position would give me a great opportunity to learn more about HIV and AIDS.

I felt that the biggest accomplishment while at HIV Edmonton was the fact that I was viewed as more as a resource than just someone who is there to observe. In the beginning of my placement, when I had engaged in conversations with clients, they would rarely ask me for anything such as bus tickets. By the end of the summer many people sought me out for information on HIV and AIDS resources, food bank referrals as well as general crisis intervention and support.

Over the past few months, I’ve gotten to know many people and I feel many have enjoyed my presence. Thankfully, I was also given many skill building opportunities, like the chance to sit in with the clients who needed to talk. That experience reinforced communication skills that I am good at doing, well also teaching me that there are some areas I need to work on in the near future.

I was also given the opportunity outreach with HIV Edmonton’s partners, places like Kindred House, Elizabeth Fry Society, Bissel Centre, and Boyle Street Community Services. I was able to see these places and other services providers that Support and Outreach referred clients to and client’s access.

I am very saddened that I have to leave such a great place. I would like to thank everyone at HIV Edmonton for helping me on my journey. I am blessed to know such great people. I have great respect for everyone I have encountered because everyone has taught me something and I have a lot of great memories that will never be forgotten.