A little about me...
I am not one for talking about myself in any spot light, but I will say that I often love to accept challenges and overcome things just to keep things interesting. I have been lucky enough to have faced many traumatic events that have each taught me a valuable life lesson. I do say “lucky” because I believe one can only persevere if they truly understand the shortness of life. Volunteering serves as some sort of vocation in life for me, and I believe to have proven it. I understand who I am when I am helping others, and my purpose for life. I am a strong leader and a great motivator which will help me through my struggles in serving. To describe this year best I would use a quote from a Jeremy Camp song that says, “There isn’t much I can do to repay all you’ve done so I give my hands to your use.”
Why Vincentian Volunteers?
I graduated from St. John’s University with a BA in Psychology. My school values are based on Vincentian teachings and throughout my four years in University I loved nothing better than serving the poor. After a service experience in Lourdes, France back in 2009 I knew that I wanted to take a gap year after graduating to figure out what in life I was to do. I worked with my Campus Ministry at the time in which I found this organization and it seems to be a perfect fit for me.
My Projects
I have been placed at two different locations. The first is a place called Mary & Joseph which is a rehabilitation home for vulnerable men adults that suffer from a variety of illnesses; however, all of them have been affected by a type of alcoholism. I help to organize activities for the men and support them in any means necessary. The second place is called BRASS (Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers) in which I help teach and mentor English to those just coming in to the country. Sometimes I find myself going beyond what is expected of me at work, but I would not have it any other way. Both of these projects are very different yet very similar in the way that just passing on a smile means the world to another person.
My Highlights so far…
I would like to give one highlight in both of my projects. First at Mary & Joseph I was having a one to one conversation with one of the men which I am always delighted to do. He was opening up to me about his life, and the struggles he has faced based upon his illness. This man looked at me and said “You are so kind and polite,” and I am not one for taking compliments so I just merely smirk and shake my head and he went on to say “You don’t even try … you just are.” At that he got up and walked away. It truly sent chills running down my spine and made me incredibly happy.
At BRASS I was helping to teach a class on how we introduce ourselves and start a conversation. There is one girl in the class that is barely able to speak English, but week by week I help her to learn more phrases. We were doing an exercise to converse with other people in the class and when she got to me her eyes just lit up and I could not get her to stop talking! What a joy it is to see how happy someone gets just to have someone listen and truly care about