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Jamie
Hi, I'm Jaime and I am a native of Los Angeles, CA. I'm 23 and I graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of California, Irvine.
I first found out about the DSC
while searching for jobs or internships in the
field of Social Work. Not having much work-related experience in this
field, I wanted to "test the waters" before diving into a
graduate school program for an MSW.
Currently, I am working at two placements. One is at Compeer West, a mental health agency that uses the power of friendship to improve the lives of children, adults, and senior citizens who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and who are striving for good mental health. My experience at Compeer so far has been one of great worth. Not only do I get to work with absolutely wonderful people, but with those friends that I am personally matched with, I am humbled that I am able to be accepted by them despite my ignorance and lack of knowledge about the mental health field. Through their lives, I’m able to see social justice in a way that I haven’t before. Advocating against the negative stigmas associated with mental illness has become a big priority of mine.
My second placement is at Saints Columba-Brigid Montessori School. The school is located in the inner-city of Buffalo and serves children ages 3-6. I work at the school as a Teacher's Assistant and working with such young children, I am continually in awe of the innocence that young children possess, a characteristic that too often disappears as one is exposed to some of the cultural values of society. The school teaches two things above all else - Respect and Peace, and I'm grateful for the opportunity that the children and the school provide me - to be able to challenge myself with those two values every day.
One of the more common questions that I get from people here in Buffalo is this: Why leave California and come here to Buffalo? For those longing for warmer weather, the move is an inconceivable thought. In all honesty, I'm not sure of God's reasons for bringing me to the DSC. I know of my initial interests into the program, but within those interests is a deeper pulling that I'm not completely able to explain or understand. So as for the reason for God's call, that's an interesting mystery yet to be uncovered. However, what I do know is this: The opportunity to be a part of such a positive and life-changing program has already begun to alter who I am and how I view the world. The need for social justice and social activism in today's world is staggering and to be able to learn about some of the issues involved and to be a part of something greater than oneself is inspiring. What an awesome way to spend this year, and hopefully, the rest of my life!
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