Get to know the newest member of the Simply the Basics' team: Paige Gervin, Community Impact Intern!

Hi I’m Paige! I’m a recent graduate from San Francisco State University with a major in Communications. In the last four years I found my passion for public health, community impact, and meaningful work. I’m so thrilled to bring my skills to Simply the Basics and support the incredible work they do to promote hygiene equity.

How did you first learn about Simply the Basics? What drew you to the program?

I was actually matched with Simply the Basics through a health career exchange program called Health Career Connection. After being accepted to HCC and telling them about my interest in community engagement, non profit advocacy, and health equity, I was paired with Simply the Basics! I remember exactly how exciting it felt to read more about the organization and see the amazing work they do. They address a gap not typically addressed by governmental aid and they do it with empathy and compassion towards underserved communities. It is their compassionate human centered approach to addressing inequalities that drew me to the program. 

Which Simply the Basics program do you feel the most passionately about and why?

I feel most passionate about the Hygiene Locator because it isn’t just helping people in our community, it’s helping people all across the country. Many people don’t realize how many barriers there are to finding and accessing resources, especially when you’re a part of an underserved community. The Hygiene Locator helps address inequality by providing an easy to use database of organizations that supply free hygiene. I think it’s especially important in rural areas where there aren’t as many options for support. I’m really excited to continue adding to the database in areas that need it most.

Are there any particular moments in your life that you can point to as being influential in your desire to give back to the community?

I faced housing insecurity as a teenager which put me in situations where I could not access clean clothes, toothpaste, deodorant, and other necessities. I know exactly what it feels like to be embarrassed showing up to school in the same clothes everyday and insecure that everyone might know you haven’t been able to brush your teeth in days. It severely affects your self confidence, your ability to complete everyday tasks, and even to be around other people. I think about how different my situation might have been if I had had access to a program like Simply the Basics as a teenager. It is so fulfilling and gratifying to be able to give back to my community in a way that I needed so badly as a teenager. 

What is a fun fact about yourself?

A fun fact about me is I grew up in the mountains near Yosemite where there were more cows than people. Though my high school graduating class had less than 100 people, it was undoubtedly the most beautiful place I could’ve asked to grow up in. It gave me a love for nature, mountains, and hiking. I’ve called San Francisco home for the last three years, but I will never feel more at home than when I can smell the pine trees!