Who Am I?

Almost embarking on my third month studying and working at Saint Dominic's Children's Home, I 


have assumed so many roles and not realized it until this evening 

• advocate
• counselor
• case manager
• teacher
• analyst/evaluator
• mediator
• facilitator
• negotiator
• broker 
• enabler  

Lets not forget an ambassador for the kingdom of god. For I continually am reminded that god chose 
me to be here, NOT me! Because I have been so caught up in my daily work and ministry, I have not denied or refused any of the stated roles provided to the children. Its amazing to be able to be used by god in such depth. Now that I have extended my time here (until May 26th), the roles will not stop developing nor the love I have to offer in reach role. Looking forward to sowing more seeds, teaching more skills, developing and producing "Helping Children/Caregiver's Find Their Voice In Institutional Care", having the children create "My Story" postcard art project and "Stop Child Abuse" in honor of April Child Abuse Awareness Month. 


While working in social worker, we are taught to prepare for termination with our clients. I wonder, how easy it will be for me to terminate my work with the children, caregivers and the organization. 
Despite having to depart in two months, I know my heart will always be apart of the children, the home and the country. 

Life is One Big Puzzle Piece

The speech given during Thursdays Retreat. The theme was "Our Children are Our Children" 

Many children are called "At Risk". When does a child become at risk? You see their are four pieces to what makes a child become "At  Risk" and are placed in a Children's Home, Foster Care System or end up on the streets (Street Kid) : (1) The Child (2) The Family (3) The Community (4) and no relationship with God. At any moment, if one puzzle piece is removed, the puzzle is "At Risk" of becoming incomplete!

First puzzle piece is the child - a child becomes "At Risk" when they are exposed to (1) family dysfunction (2) single parenthood (3) lack of love or guidance from family and or guardian (4) experience some form of abuse (be it sexual, physical, emotional and or verbal).

Second puzzle piece is the family- a family becomes "At Risk" when they are faced with (1) poverty (2) high divorce rates and or separation (3) illness or death and (4) substance abuse.

Third puzzle piece is the community - the community becomes "At Risk" when its faced with (1) low-income (2) high crime rate (3) lack of unity  (4) lack of resources, job opportunities  and (5) high school drop out rate.

Fourth puzzle piece is "GOD". When the community and families leave out God, many fall subject to becoming "At Risk".

With all these factors in mind, once a family becomes at risk, the child becomes at risk. This is often the cause of why children leave home and call their home "Children Homes, Foster Care Placements and or the streets".

When was the last time you realized or noticed a child sitting in your church's or school's, and talking or playing with your child is a "street kid or living in a Children's Home or foster home? We as a community and servants of god, need to face and heal with our brokenness, so we can stand as a "village" and keep all the puzzle pieces intact, or the brokenness will continue!