This past May I ended the amazing adventure of college when Bill Cosby helped ring in my graduation from Marquette University. Graduation day was one of the best and happiest days of my life. It was long, but so worth it. I worked hard for my degree and the celebration was so much fun. Grandpa, Grammy, Mom, Dad, Sierra, Lukas, and Jae all came down to help celebrate by cheering for me as I felt like a rock star walking across that stage. It was just so much fun. I got a Bachelor of Arts with the majors of Social Welfare and Justice and Journalism. My sash I am wearing represents my the time I spent in South Africa with the South African flag.
During my senior year, I began to think about my future and what I really want to do. After much thought, prayer, and contemplation, I decided to dedicate the next year of my life to volunteer service to gain more experience in the non-profit world. I really wanted to gain another perspective from another culture. After a ton of research of many different organizations, I found JVC Northwest (Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest) and it seemed like the perfect fit.
After a long interviewing process, I was accepted into the corps and then offered the position at my top choice in Sitka, Alaska at Brave Heart Volunteers.
Sitka is an island close to Juneau, Alaska. It is 4,811 square miles total with a population of around 9,000 people. Sitka has an oceanic climate with "generally cool temperatures, and abundant precipitation."
Sitka is located under the "A" in the photo below, and below that is a photo from Google images of Sitka. (So freakin' beautiful!)
The four pillars of JVC Northwest are Social Justice, Community, Spirituality, and Simple Living. I think most of you know which one I will have some adjusting to. The simple living will be an eye opener for me, I definitely enjoy shopping for new outfits for occasions, and going out to eat with friends. Without earning any money, these are luxuries I will have to do without.
I am stoked, to say the least, for my time at Brave Heart Volunteers. I will be a Community Outreach Coordinator. Brave Heart Volunteers is a non-profit on the island that works with the elderly and the caretakers of the elderly. I will be setting up events to get the community involved and getting the elderly involved in the community, and with the caretakers to help against burnout. I'm still learning of what I may and may not be doing so it might be change. I'm super excited about it.
This service is a year long, I will be returning just about the same time in 2014. I will still have Facebook and email, so feel free to contact me there!! Also, I welcome visitors. It is a little expensive to get there, but if you are up for it, please let me know so we can plan accordingly!!
I will be updating here of this new adventure of mine so stay tuned my friends! Prayers and happy thoughts are always welcome, thank you in advance!!
xo
Shoshauna