Hello, this is Kanar Shaiban. During my internship for the OSU Extension office in Jackson County, I’ve prepared a report, gathered data and statistics, and explored the unmet housing needs in the Jackson County area. In addition, I engaged with various community partners to get the essential data and learn more about the community’s most vulnerable people. While creating my report, I learned how to use a “SWOT” analysis method – strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities – to emphasize the importance of assisting the community in developing a strategy that addresses the unmet housing needs by analyzing the county’s strengths and weaknesses and existing and implemented resources. 

The report assisted in the development of strategic housing assistance recommendations for undocumented survivors of the September 2020 wildfires in the area. After submitting the report, I started working on an executive summary, followed by a PowerPoint presentation that I will present to the community partners by the end of my internship. 

Before this internship, I was unfamiliar with OSU Extension Services. Soon after I began, I realized that Extension focuses on and strives to foster inclusivity and innovation. I also understood how critical it is to the community to recognize unmet needs, respond to issues, and implement appropriate methods and solutions.  

I’m appreciative that I had the opportunity to work with OSU Extension as it taught me how to be self-sufficient in my profession, collect data, and be creative by exploring practical solutions for those in need.