fighting for their rights and for people to understand them

Bridget Marrine

I would say that the definition of my year, at least so far, is culture. I’m living and working on the Navajo reservation, so I guess that’s a little obvious. I am literally submerged into a completely different culture and every day I am surrounded by people with a much different ethnic, religious, and cultural background than my own. Yes, a big part of that is the Navajo culture, but there is much more than that too.

Cow with mop on head roaming

Firstly, there is the culture of living in the country. I am originally from New York. Not the city, but relatively close to. I grew up in a suburban area and made frequent trips into the city. I went to school at the University of Scranton which is located in a fairly urban area. So I guess the initial and for me hardest cultural shock was just the physical location of where I now live and work. This is COUNTRY folks. I mean, I probably pass about 5-10 free range cows on my way to work every day. There are usually sheep and goats on my road and even in my back yard. We have four working radio stations: one plays Navajo chanting, two play country music, and one plays all different music. About once a week my coworkers have a discussion about butchering their livestock. I actually was a little surprised by what we have in town, but it still is pretty limited to a grocery store, McDonalds, and Denny’s. This took a bit of getting used to for me, but I’m starting to learn to love it. You know, I’m also surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Every day on my way home from work I drive right into the most gorgeous sunset which is completely unblocked by buildings or anything of the sort. I’m learning a little about crops, farming; I’m learning how to sew and use a sewing machine, and I’m learning a lot about cooking from scratch. It’s a different way of living, and I am definitely learning a ton.

There of course is the actual culture of the Navajo- their beliefs and their stories, which I must say that I absolutely love. Most of my coworkers are Navajo and they all have been so wonderful about telling me their stories and answering my questions. It is challenging, since all of my students are Navajo too, I have to adhere to their cultural norms and I don’t always know what they are. Such as animals that are taboo, or how death and dead ones are not really talked about. These things I’ve had to learn, and learn fast. Everyone at my school has been great about filling me in, and I know they know I’m not familiar with it all, so they give me a little leeway- but I don’t want to offend them or make them uncomfortable. Now that I have been here for a few months, though, I feel much more comfortable and feel I know a lot more. There is still a ton to learn, but I love doing it. There even are a few of their beliefs and values that I agree with or have adapted as my own. This was part of my draw to this placement and I love learning about this part of the culture.

Paintings done by students through the flying colors program

The last culture that really stands out is the culture of Developmental Disability. I am working at a special ed school as an Occupational Therapist and it has really enforced my belief that the developmentally disabled really have a culture of their own. My students disabilities range from physical needs to mental needs, and quite often daily tasks can’t be completed in the same way you or I would do them. But, quite honestly, as an OT I couldn’t ask for a better learning environment for myself. The school does such an amazing job of adapting the environment so that the students are able to complete these tasks, and not feel abnormal or strange. My absolute favorite thing I have been blessed to be a part of this year is a program called flying colors. It is an adaptive painting program which allows some of our lower functioning students to be able to express themselves artistically. Students choose the size of their canvas, the paint brush, the colored paint, etc and tell a “tracker” where to paint with the use of a laser- either hand held or attached to their head by a headband for students with physical needs. I am one of two trackers right now at the school, and I just love it. I think a lot of people out there would look at the students we have in this program, and throughout the whole school really, and think that there is nothing there. That because these students can’t communicate to us in the way we are use to that they are dumb or they don’t know what’s going on. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. These students create beautiful amazing artwork. Some of which have even won awards. Obviously, this population has been a passion of mine before this year. I studied Occupational Therapy in school for 5 years and was passionate about the rights of disabled persons long before that as well. But, after spending day in and day out with my students, I have learned just how much I love working with this population and just how passionate I am about fighting for their rights and for people to understand them. I am so happy and feel so blessed to be at this school and working with this population.

Bridget Marrine - St. Michaels Association for Special Education - St. Michaels, AZ

The best word I can use to describe our department is magical

(Left to Right) Rebecca Rybaltowski, Brianna McPherson, Elizabth Bennett

For the teenagers I work with it is a daily struggle to get through the complicated and multifaceted system that is foster care. I am volunteering with the Youth Development Department at MercyFirst, a special team created to help foster care teens prepare for adulthood outside of the system. The best word I can use to describe our department is magical. When a youth comes into our department with questions and concerns, they always leave with answers and solutions. It is awesome to be a part of such an effective and useful department where I know that lives are changing for the better. A large part of my position with the Youth Development Department is helping the youth navigate government offices to obtain their vital documents like their birth certificates and social security cards.

The simple transaction of filling out a form, waiting in line and interacting with the clerk can be confusing and intimidating for anyone, but especially for teens that have never experienced it before. Even though it seems like a simple task, being in foster care can often make it even more difficult to access the information necessary to apply for vital documents. This can be discouraging for the teens, but we do our best to leap over the hurdles we face so they can get the documents they need.

Before I started working at MercyFirst, I had no experience with foster care, let alone teens within the system. I didn’t know how I, a young woman who grew up in rural Ohio, could help street-smart teens who grew up in Brooklyn. What could I offer them? When I took the first youth to the DMV to get a non-drivers photo ID—a document necessary for everything from applying for a job to enrolling in college—I was so nervous and shy. I was worried that I had prepared the wrong papers or even that the clerk may turn us away simply because the youth is in foster care. Despite these fears, the process went smoothly. The youth also felt better knowing that she would now be able to open a bank account and keep the money she had been saving safe.

After working with the youth in need of vital documents for three months, I know the steps for each office by heart. I’ve also learned how to present myself and the youth in a professional manner and speak confidently with the clerks. I’ll always be thankful to the youth for teaching me these important life skills. Now that I am confident and know how to navigate the system, I can more fully assist the youth here at MercyFirst.

Brianna McPherson - MercyFirst - Brooklyn, NY

Teach them how to have fun

Amber Lindstrum walking at Presque Isle

I am now two months into my volunteer work-site, Safenet, a center for domestic violence victims.  People I encounter often ask, “what exactly do you do?,” and I respond, “just about everything!”  In addition to volunteer recruitment, advocacy, and community outreach, childcare has been one of my main responsibilities at the work site.  Tuesday nights in particular, we have children’s group.  Children ranging in ages from 2 to 12 years old, participate in activities based on a healthy mind and body.  Safenet created “40 Developmental Assets,” which emphasize support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competence, and positive identity.   In addition to children’s group, childcare is often needed at a moment’s notice.  Just the other day, I was caring for a 10 year old child that I brought into the playroom.  Her first words were, “I don’t play with toys.”  After games of tic-tac-toe and a few crayon drawings, she told me she was bored.  My first thought was “Oh no, what do I do now?”  Instinctually, I reverted back to 13 years ago when I was at her stage in life.  We got creative and made paper airplanes out of the drawings she had made.  Unfortunately, she was bored, yet again.  Then, something told me to ask her if she knew the game, “hot or cold.”  In this game, you take an object and hide it.  The other person has to look for it, and depending on where the finder is in relation to the object, he/she will be “hot” or “cold.”  The 10 year old loved it!  We played the game for over an hour!  What I got from this and other childcare experiences is that it is important to be creative and entertain children, especially those children who may be struggling to smile because of their experiences of violence in their homes.  While they may never forget what has happened to them, their experiences with volunteers and interacting with children of similar backgrounds, may help these victims of domestic violence remember how to, or even teach them how to have fun. 

“Dreary Erie,” as many have described, is definitely a city that encounters much rainfall.  I would say 8/10 people, who come to learn that I originate from the mid-west wish to warn me, “Beware of Erie winters!  We get lots of snow!”   Luckily, the snow has not fallen just yet.  I have been determined since I arrived to make it more like “Cheery Erie.”  So far, it has been pleasant.  Presque Isle is one of my favorite places to go to take scenic walks and get a good work-out in.  Erie also has a decent night-life, not as bad as I had earlier anticipated.  All in all, I feel like I am enjoying myself and meeting many new people has been tons of fun!  For the remainder of the year, I am hoping to continue to grow as a person, as a colleague, intellectually, and of course, live in the Mercy Spirit!

Amber Lindstrum - Safenet - Erie, PA