Staff Spotlight: Brandon Oliver
Aubry Vonck • Mar 04, 2021
The staff at the Coalition is second-to-none. This month, we invite you to get to know Senior Associate of Outreach Brandon Oliver.
Q: Where are you from originally?
Houston, Texas
Q: What do you love most about Houston?
The diversity in culture and how we always pull together in the most important times, especially after a disaster.
Q: What made you want to work in the area of homelessness? Can you tell us about your past experiences working in the homeless response system?
I’ve always had a heart for the homeless, my grandmother fed homeless clients downtown for years. She would make tacos and we would pass them out! This is was the beginning of something that I had no idea would eventually turn into a career. About six years ago, I had a friend who worked for Star of Hope and she had a brand new outreach position open. I applied and it was the best decision of my life.
Q: Can you tell me a little about your role at the Coalition and what it entails?
I’m a Senior Associate of outreach and we currently are focusing on the unincorporated areas of Harris County where there are limited social services that are being provided. We go out Monday through Friday to engage with clients. The hope is that during these interactions, we will build enough rapport with them to ultimately walk this journey with them until they are housed.
Q: Tell us about your experience during the winter freeze.
It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life! Seeing so many people in need, not all homeless, but mostly homeless all gathered in one place was surreal. I staffed the George R. Brown Center warming shelter along with the mayor’s office, Office of Emergency Management, and other social service agencies. I believe we were able to touch many lives during this time and prayerfully we will house some clients because of that week-long engagement!
Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Being able to touch, reach and encourage people that there is more for them beyond the streets/shelters.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
I sing!
Q: What makes you proud?
When I’m able to walk with someone through their homeless journey; the day they get their keys is always one of the proudest moments for me!
Q: If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
I kind of already feel like one at times because some of the obstacles that come up against us in outreach and our clients have obstacles that can seem impossible to overcome but we always find a way! If I did have a superpower, it would be the ability to make people happy no matter what they are facing. I’ve dealt with all kinds of abuse as a child but today I stand tall knowing there was and still is more for me. I would want to give them that ability to overcome through joy and peace.
Q: Tell us one fun fact about yourself!
I have a wife, two children, and two dogs. We all live together, along with my mother, under one roof!
The greens came alive at our annual charity golf tournament!
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2000 Crawford St., Suite 700
Houston, TX 77002
Please note we do not
provide direct services for people experiencing homelessness. If you are in need of immediate assistance please call 211.
(713) 739-7514