Social services coordinator connects residents in need to essential services

In her role as social services coordinator with the Miami-Dade Public Library System, Sheba Previus helps connect residents in need with resources, such as housing, food assistance, healthcare and other social services. Based at the Main Library in downtown Miami, Sheba is able to reach some of our community’s most vulnerable residents in a nontraditional setting.

“Through her work at the library, Sheba has connected people to essential services they might not otherwise have received,” said Shana Hinze, Main Library manager. “These are individuals who may be resistant to seeking help or struggle to access benefits and resources provided by nonprofit organizations and government programs due to behavioral health and other challenges.”

Sheba serves the community with a caring hand. Since joining the library Sept. 2021, she has worked diligently to develop a rapport and build trust with the people she serves. She has helped hundreds of residents by contacting Social Security case managers and signing residents up for appointments, assisting with obtaining birth certificates and drivers licenses, helping residents navigate the process to obtain permanent and emergency housing, and more.

In January, Previus helped prevent a resident from being evicted from her home. The patron came to her with a 24-hour eviction notice, which meant she had to vacate her home within 24 hours. The patron had been unable to pay her rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and though she had applied for assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), she didn't know who to turn to for the immediate help she needed. She reached out to Previus, who reconnected her with ERAP, and helped her submit the proper documents. As a result, ERAP was able to pay the back rent that was due, allowing the patron to remain in her home. Without Sheba’s intervention, the patron would most likely be homeless right now. Thankfully, that didn’t happen, and the patron was so grateful, she left Sheba a truly heart-warming voice mail message:

"Hi, Sheba. All I want to do is say thank you very, very much. I am so grateful for you, Mr. Steve, and God because you all saved my life. Is there anything you need, let me know. If I can do it within my powers, please let me know. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love everybody who helped me. Thank you very much."

For Sheba, it’s all in a day’s work. "If everyone does their part to serve their community, we could accomplish unmeasurable success,” said Previus. “I want my children to grow up in a world where being a good person and helping others is the norm."