Karlee

I am spending my year working with a group of ten girls, ages 11-15. Working with these girls has given me a taste of what it is like to be a mom, as I work with them on socialization skills, anger management, and learning to trust themselves and others. I often call my mom on my way home from work and tell her about my day, and what I said to my girls. She just laughs at me, and then tells me how funny it is to hear her words come out of my mouth. 

I never knew working with girls would be such a challenge. Every day I am faced with new issues as I witness my girls' lives. These young women have gone through some very difficult experiences - including child abuse, substance abuse, and severe depression - and have survived. They are the most amazing, beautiful group of girls I have ever had the pleasure of working with. As difficult as I think this job is, there is nowhere else I would rather be this year than with the Seton girls.

When I'm not working, I get to come home to an incredible bunch of people - my community. Transitioning from college has been a difficult task, but having thirteen other people going through essentially the same experience has really helped me. There is always someone to talk to about problems whether they are work-related or personal. My roommates are quickly becoming my home away from home. The fourteen of us are all so different, but somehow we work together and have created an amazing community. There is nothing like a night of watching movies, playing Apples to Apples, and doing puzzles. My community has challenged me and my views of the world. I know that when this year is over, I will leave the community having been made a better person.

I feel that working at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and living in my community is granting me ample opportunities to grow as a person, as I'm exposed to experiences and people I might not have been. There is nowhere else I can imagine spending my first year out of college.

Apply now to make a difference!