Our grantee organizations are full of compassionate people who make a profound positive impact on the world. Their stories inspire the work that we do, and beginning this month, we’re going to use our blog as a forum to bring them to the world. This month’s featured grantee is Domus, a selfless community organization dedicated to providing our youth with the support needed to achieve productive, happy adulthoods.
Our first Domus story comes from Danielle*, a student who has experienced firsthand the impact Domus makes on young lives.
I recently presented to a group at the National Association of After School Programming about best practices in after-school programs. I don’t know anyone else my age who can say that they flew to Washington DC for the day to do a presentation, but I can. I can also say I have attended overnight boating and camping trips, gone hiking, gone on college visits, and so much more. I have developed public speaking skills, life skills, and survival skills, all because of Domus.
My time at Domus started at Chester Addison Community Center when I began attending there as a very young elementary school student. Being shy was never an issue for me; in fact, I was the opposite of shy. I had a hard time not saying the first thing that came to my mind, and I believed I should always get my way. I was outspoken and strong-willed. Some people may view these traits as a negative, but not Melissa and Jon. They saw it as a skill and helped me channel my energy and use my voice in a positive way. They introduced me to writing and hands-on learning and anything else they knew I would be good at. I left Chester Addison a different young lady.
I entered Trailblazers, Domus’ middle school, as a better person but still working on getting to where I needed to be. I sometimes struggled academically, but Mr. Monte worked with me and helped me become a strong reader; he encouraged my love of reading by helping me find books that sparked my interest. The small classes at Trailblazers helped me get the one-on-one time with my teachers that I needed. And the variety of activities that were offered helped me consistently stay busy and out of trouble. I participated in the Lion’s Den After-School Program and found a mentor in Glen, the director. He helped me when I needed someone to talk to, and he continues to help me as I think about college and career choices. I still often visit Lion’s Den and Trailblazers, and I always feel welcome.
For high school, I went back into the public schools, and I felt ready. I have faced some hiccups along the way, but I was always able to reach out to the people at Domus that I now consider my family. One of the things I am most proud of is being able to work as a counselor at Chester Addison Community Center now and try to positively impact the kids there the way I was positively impacted as a young person. It only takes one person to see the good in you, one person to say you can do to it or tell you to believe in yourself. I was lucky—I had several of them at Domus, but I would love to be that person for the kids I work with.
This June [2015], I graduated from high school, and I am so proud of my accomplishments. In the fall, I am headed off to school at Duchess Community College, and I couldn’t be more excited. I want to study social work or psychology, and my end goal is to someday, instead of being up here speaking [to Domus staff members at the annual all-staff retreat], be one of you sitting out there: being an employee of Domus, being someone who gets to go to work every day and change someone’s life.
I know the work you all do is hard; I remember what I was like as young person, and I know it doesn’t always seem like you are making a difference. I am sure there were many days when Melissa and Jon were frustrated with the five-year-old who had the mouth and attitude of a 13-year-old, but they never let me see it. I always felt supported and loved. And I always knew that no matter what, I wouldn’t be given up on. Sometimes just a welcoming smile and hug when I walked into Chester Addison, or a “good job” or pat on the back at Trailblazers, or being asked to fly to Washington DC to make a presentation, made the all of the difference in the world to me.
Thank you to Domus and to all of you for what you do. Save me a seat out there in four years!
* Danielle is the pseudonym of a previous Domus student who is looking forward to entering community college this fall.
Author not pictured in the image above. Photo by Pamela Einarsen.