Care for the Homeless Graduates Second Class of “Certified Advocates”

Last night Care for the Homeless celebrated the graduation of its second class of “CFH Certified Advocates”, adding new members to the Care for the Homeless Speakers’ Bureau. The program is open to volunteer client leaders who have been or are homeless and are consumers of Care for the Homeless health care or other services.

Those recognized as graduating included Patricia Gale, George Phipps, Monica Sayers, Brenda Turner and Raymond West. Previous graduates who introduced the new graduates or spoke at the graduation included Calvin Alston, David Broxton, Ava Conner, Gayle Dorsky, Garrett McMahan and Anthony Williams.

In order to graduate participants must completed 12 hours of training, half in homeless policy issue training and half in public speaking training. At the graduation each new Certified Advocate told their personal story, hooked that story to a public policy issue and advocated for better public policy on that issue.

Certified Advocates become members of the Care for the Homeless Speakers’ Bureau. The Speakers’ Bureau is available to make presentations to schools, community groups, religious congregations or other organizations. Groups can receive information about the Speakers’ Bureau, or request appearances, by contacting policy@cfhnyc.org.


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