Zac began his journey at BEDS Plus four years ago as an intern. “I was in the last week of my internship when I was asked to be part of the Outreach Team,” he recalls. Since then, Zac has worked in various roles, including Outreach and Housing Loss Prevention, gaining valuable experience.
Now leading BEDS' Outreach Team and managing the Walk-In Program at the Summit Service Center, Zac and his team meet clients wherever they are—on the streets, in their cars, or at the Summit Service Center. "Outreach is about meeting people where they are, helping them figure out their next step, and connecting them to services," Zac explains. "One day, that might mean securing emergency shelter, the next, navigating rental assistance programs."
The unpredictability of Zac’s role keeps him on his toes, often requiring him to respond to crises in real time. “You never know what’s going to happen in outreach. One minute, you’re helping someone with paperwork for a rental program, and the next, you're responding to a crisis call. We have to be ready for anything.”
Despite the challenges, Zac finds deep satisfaction in witnessing clients make progress. “I love seeing people take steps toward stability,” he says. “Even when it’s something small, like connecting someone with a bus ticket to reunite with family, it can change their entire situation.”
For Zac, the relationships he builds with clients are key to his work. "You spend time listening to people’s stories, and over time, you build trust,” Zac says. “That trust allows us to help people make real progress, to get off the street and into a safe, stable environment.”
Though the work can be tough, Zac remains motivated by the impact he sees. “At the end of the day, I love knowing that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life, even if it’s small. Sometimes, that little bit of support is all someone needs to start over,” he shares.