Meet Our Interns

Helping others and being a platform for support has always been a part of Hussam’s nature. As someone who has experienced housing insecurity firsthand, he sees the internship program as a chance to keep others from going through the constant adjustment that comes with struggling to find stable housing. Hussam sees the BAHIP program as an opportunity to come away with new, sustainable work habits and information that he can share with others in the future.

Hussam has recently watched and resonated with several Krzysztof Kieslowski films, as they provide real intimate and purposeful narratives on our human nature and the human experience. A chicken shawarma wrap or a chicken plate from Falafel Drive-In is his go-to meal.

Growing up Jessica experienced housing instability and little sense of community. Through university courses and work at Alternative Breaks she explored the systemic issues that create unstable, disconnected, and disinvested communities. These experiences brought her to pursue affordable housing in hopes to provide stability and opportunities for connection to underserved communities. Through BAHIP Jessica hopes to understand the decision-making process for affordable housing developers and where there might be room to grow and develop more interconnected communities/spaces.

The TV show Andor was the most recent media that has changed Jessica’s perspective on the world as it illustrates how different characters survive and grapple with life under fascism. Andor is a reminder of the humanity in everyone as we navigate life and encounter people in different points in one another’s lives. Nua Thai Kitchen in Oakland is her favorite restaurant in the Bay Area.

Keanu understands how foundational stable housing is to socioeconomic opportunities and outcomes. As the son of two survivors of the Khmer Rouge, he hopes to offer opportunities to those in need now and for generations to come. Through BAHIP Keanu is looking to gain more exposure to various aspects of the affordable housing industry.

The last piece of media that shifted Keanu’s worldview is The Farewell (2019), as it depicted the Asian-American experience well and made him reflect about his own positionality/experiences, particularly around the differences between eastern and western notions of morality and balancing the extremes. Belotti Ristorante E Bottega is Keanu’s go-to spot for pasta in the Bay Area.

As Student Body President at her community college, Camila saw that housing insecurity was one of the biggest challenges students faced and hopes to address one of California’s most pressing challenges and contribute to projects that have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Camila sees BAHIP as an opportunity to walk away with the knowledge and confidence to help lead housing projects in the future, contribute to meaningful developments, learn from experienced professionals, and gain a deeper understanding of how housing can improve people’s lives.

The last book that Camila finished was Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi which caused her to reflect on how political events and social change can deeply affect people’s daily lives, especially young people. The book also helped Camila think more deeply about how larger systems and decisions shape individual experiences. Her go-to meal is sushi for the variety and fresh ingredients.

Growing up in the church and participating in community outreach, Frank saw firsthand the challenges many families face with homelessness and housing insecurity. Through BAHIP he hopes to gain a strong understanding of the affordable housing development process while developing the project management skills needed to help bring housing projects to life. Frank is passionate about giving back to the community, and believes that being involved in affordable housing development is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families throughout the Bay Area.

The last movie that made Frank look at the world differently was The Pursuit of Happyness, as it reinforced his belief that housing is more than just a place to live—it provides security, opportunity, and peace of mind for families. Frank is big fan of tacos in all varieties, but claims the Tres Reyes taco truck in San Jose as his favorite.