Volunteers - Kim
Hi, I'm Kim. I am from a small town in Rhode Island called Westerly, and I went to Assumption College in Worcester, MA. I graduated in May of 2006 with a double major in sociology and English. When I was at Assumption, I knew that after graduating I wanted to volunteer for a year before hopefully going on to obtain my master's in social work. I liked the idea of living in a place I had never been to before, being able to meet many new people, growing in my spiritual life, and most of all being able to give back to a community in need. I looked into several volunteer programs, and I decided on the Diocesan Service Corps specifically because of their focus on social justice.
My favorite part so far about this volunteer year has been my work placement. My work placement is at Gerard Place, a transitional shelter for single-parent families. There I serve as the After Care Case Manager, working specifically with the people once they have left the shelter. I assist them with employment, housing, child care, and educational referrals. I also help run a spirituality and family enrichment program with another Case Manager, monitor life skills classes, assist with child care, provide administrative assistance, and check residents' apartments weekly. Everyone I work with is very nice, and I am learning a lot. I love my job!
I have definitely been learning at work and outside of work, with my community. I look forward to discovering even more about myself and those around me as the year progresses.