VA Homeless Programs

“I would like to honor the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Homeless Team stationed in Saginaw, MI for their exceptional work with our MSW Student throughout the year. Our student, Adam Soule, has embraced his internship and has been an asset to the homeless team. His skills have grown throughout the course of his internship. There have been several instances in which he has worked diligently to connect homeless Veterans to appropriate resources and services. Despite ongoing staffing shortages in the homeless program, the team has embraced his passion and provided him with education, training, and opportunities. The team has exhibited tremendous resiliency in overcoming the many barriers to provide effective services to the Veterans in our homeless programs. They continue to go above and beyond while maintaining a commitment to the social work profession and ensuring that Adam, HPT, gets the most from his internship experience. I am truly thankful for the staff on the Saginaw homeless team, and I appreciate their passion and hard work they exhibit on a daily basis.”

—Carly Huffman, Homeless Program Manager

Pictured: Staci Ferguson, Stacey Bump, Michelle Primas, and Adam Soule (HPT/MSW Student)

Not Pictured: Kylee Huber (HUD-VASH Supervisor), Shaven Smith, and Amy Keck

Aleda E Lutz Homeless Team

VAMC Saginaw, MI 

Workplace & VISN

Aleda E Lutz VAMC, MI, VISN 10

How long have you been employed by the VA?

Team members have been with VA between 5 months and 5 years.

Why did you become a social worker? What do you like about working in VHA homeless programs?

Kylee Huber: “I became a Social Worker to help others in our community and help serve Veterans in need. I enjoy all aspects of the homeless program, including being able to train HPT/MSW students to work with homeless Veterans.”

Stacey Bump: “I became a social worker to help people. I particularly enjoy working at VA and serving others who have sacrificed so much to serve our country.”

Michelle Primas: “I became a social worker to work with people of all kinds, to make a difference, and to help people better deal with their situations.”

Staci-Renee Ferguson: “I enjoy helping people. I have worked in community mental health/representatives’ offices to help rewrite the mental health code for school districts. I have worked in private practice substance abuse; served as a member of the Foster Care Council Advisory Board, Saginaw Mental Health Advisory Board, and NAACP; was a youth group leader for my sorority; and was an Advisor for the undergraduate chapter of my sorority – always an advocate.”

Shaven Smith: “I became a social worker because I enjoy helping people. I love the feeling of helping people regain a sense of control and stability in their life.”

Amy Keck: “Serving those who served and reducing homeless populations.”

What else would you like to share about yourself?

Kylee Huber: I enjoy spending time with family, including my 7 nieces and nephews and my 2 dogs, Scout and Gunner. My favorite quote is, “When you feel you’ve reached the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

Stacey Bump: I love playing the piano, singing, reading, gardening, and spending time with my family!

Michelle Primas: I enjoy shopping, spending time praying, and being with my family.

Staci-Renee Ferguson: I enjoy going to the movies, plays, and traveling to as many states as possible. So far, I have 32 states traveled and working on the rest.

Shaven Smith: For fun, I like streaming movies and listening to music. My favorite quote is, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass