Embedded Files
Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know!
Pictured above: Jess Cheney
Jess Cheney is the new Basic Needs Program and Case Manager of the Wesley Center, Food Resource Center. Jess graduated from Grinnell College with a Bachelor of Arts in Math and French and then went to University of Minnesota to receive a Masters of Social Work (MSW).
A few fun facts about Jess are that she loves to make art! She said she was almost a studio art major in college but decided to study abroad in Senegal instead of finishing her final art class. Jess lived in Poitiers, France for one year and taught English to elementary school students. She is from Saint Paul and took classes at Hamline while in high school through the PSEO program. Jess says she loves to get out in the winter weather and go sledding or ice skating or just winter adventuring with her kids! You can see a picture of her kids at the Art Shanty Projects event on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.
Jess said she wanted to become the Basic Needs Program and Case Manager because she thinks basic needs security is really important. For the last ten years, Jess has worked in the field of domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention and has seen first hand the impact that food and housing insecurity especially can have on an individual's ability to survive and thrive. The connection between food security and safety is essential and she can't wait to really get a grasp on the work that Hamline has been doing already to support the community and grow and expand the programs in exciting ways.
When asked about what plans she has for the FRC and some goals she hopes to accomplish Jess said, “the students who work here do amazing work and I am really excited to learn from them! I want to make space for innovation and growth of the FRC and make sure that we are reaching as much of the Hamline Community as we can. I am hoping to host more events in and out of the pantry space. We hope to build the Basic Needs Case Management program in the next year and get a sense of the services that students need and what we are able to offer. Eventually we plan to increase the capacity of the program by adding master's level social work interns. I am also excited to begin work on hiring the Wesley Center Program Assistant.”
Pictured above: Jess's two children
Pictured above: Jess's two cats
Recently on February 25, the Wesely Center department held a Meet and Greet Jess event where students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike could come and meet the new Basic Needs Case Coordinator. If you missed the event or were unable to attend, no worries!
Jess says, "I am always available to answer questions and talk to students! Please stop by my office inside the Food Resource Center (West Hall 110), send me an email at jcheney02@hamline.edu, or send me a DM if you want to connect."
Page updated
Report abuse