Reflection

My hometown, Prince Rupert, is situated among the traditional territories of several Indigenous Nations, including the Ts’msyen, Metlakatla, Lax Kw’alaams, Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, and Haida Nations. Growing up, I was surrounded by Indigenous culture through classmates, neighbours, friends, and the community.

My parents’ church had a diverse congregation. Often, people came to church in search of connection and in need of help. My parents often opened our home to strangers. We didn’t have a lot, but we did have a big old house with extra bedrooms. Having strangers living in our home made me feel very unsafe, and looking back, I realize what a vulnerable position my siblings and I were put in. The most memorable guest was a man recovering from a gunshot wound from an attempted suicide, and another guest, who didn’t live at our house but visited almost daily, suffered from schizophrenia. My parents were very trusting and unqualified to care for people with such high needs.

When I worked as an esthetician, I worked in an area of Victoria with an elderly population. I enjoyed my time interacting with my clients and learned so much from them. Because I did not grow up with a close connection to my grandparents, these relationships were very important to me.

As a parent of active, athletic teenagers, I have interacted with many parents and children in my community. Although this may not seem like a diverse group, as many share similarities with my own family, I have been surprised by the wide range of experiences and personalities I have encountered over the years.

My outreach work has given me insight into a population I have always felt compassion and curiosity toward. I enjoy listening to people’s stories and building connections and trust. I feel grateful for the opportunity to get to know people many look down on. I do my best to be an ally and to tell their stories to others to spread a better understanding of the complexity and realities of life for unhoused people.

I have benefited from interacting with such a wide range of people because I learn and grow  from each person I meet, and I value the connections I have made through hearing their stories and experiences. I feel challenged when interacting with people who are struggling, because I wish I were better equipped to help. These experiences have made me realize how complex some people’s problems and circumstances can be, but also how many similarity we all share.

I think that I can grow and extend my tree of life by becoming a social worker. I would like to be in a position where I have the education and experience to help people to make changes in their lives.