Meet Bryn, Simply the Basics’ Community Impact Intern!

Hi! My name is Bryn Harris! I’m 20, a junior at University of San Francisco, and I’m from Boise, Idaho! I’m majoring in Politics and minoring in Legal Studies. I have known politics is what I wanted to study for a long time, but I haven't figured out where exactly in that realm I directly want to go, I have just always felt driven to enact change and to help people, and I’m so grateful to be able to work with Simply the Basics to explore the Nonprofit world and all that it entails, and to learn more about what I want to do and how I want to be involved in the world. I am so proud to be able to have a part in providing Hygiene Care for anyone and everyone who needs it in San Francisco, and to be working alongside such amazing people!

How did you first learn about Simply the Basics? What about Simply the Basics did you choose to get involved?

I first learned about Simply the Basics through a class I am taking, as a part of Community-Engaged Learning. I was drawn to Simply the Basics because the people I was able to talk to were so kind, and it was automatically evident how passionate, hardworking and intelligent they are, and how they are strategically addressing an issue that is so prevalent to San Francisco, a city I have grown to really love and care about. It is a powerful example of an organization directly helping people and making positive change. I am so happy that the class was the reason I was able to connect with Simply the Basics. I hope to continue to be a part of Simply the Basics for a long time after my class concludes! 

Tell us a bit about a previous experience working within this field and those experiencing homelessness?

All through high school, I was involved in Planned Parenthood. It was one of my first direct experiences being involved in an issue I care about, and being part of an organization that I really resonate with. Growing up in Idaho, the culture around an organization like Planned Parenthood, and a person's right to choose was challenging, to be the least, which is what drove me to volunteer, to feel as though I was doing something and working towards goals and ideas to improve people's lives and to do what is right. I also began working with a shelter my senior year of high school, taking care of the children of people experiencing homelessness, but that was unfortunately cut short as COVID hit soon after, so coming to San Francisco and being exposed to a completely different, much larger city and with a very different set of circumstances was eye opening. Simply the Basics is one of the first ways I have truly been able to feel like I am working towards some sort of solution or providing care where it is needed, and I am really happy to be able to have this opportunity. 

What do you hope to gain or hope to share with others? 

I hope to gain the knowledge and skill of helping and providing care and help where it is needed, specifically for people experiencing homelessness. I also want to learn more about nonprofits as a whole, and how they function, and I want to feel involved in creating a San Francisco that is a city for everyone, and that takes care of all of its citizens. I hope to share the mission and ideology of Simply the Basics, and to urge other people to get involved! 

Anything else you would like to share?

I was really not aware of the circumstances surrounding accessing hygiene care as a person experiencing homelessness here, how incredibly difficult it can be, the fact that there are only six public, 24 hour restrooms in the city, so being able to learn has been both very difficult but very powerful as well. It is just simply not fair, or acceptable. I want to be a part of doing something about this. I think Simply the Basics is so good at what it does because of the experience that both Brittany and Meghan bring, and the care and intentionality they bring to every single aspect of their work. They have made me feel so welcome in my work with them. They emphasize the right to choose in their work, the importance of dignity, and they are just truly such role models for me. I am excited to be working with them, and for Simply the Basics as a whole!