Women Against Rape

In 13 days I will begin my next Peace Corps adventure.  I will head to St. Lucia for a few days of training then make my way to Antigua where I will be working with an agency called Women Against Rape.  

Antigua

An island in the Eastern Caribbean, Leeward Island: About 200 miles away from Dominica
Area: 108 square miles
Capital: St. John 
Population: 80,000 
Economy: Tourism, Medical Schools, And Growing Hotel Business
Language: English, Creole, and Spanish
Random Fact: Antigua was one of the very first nations to legalize, licence and regulate online gaming


I am excited to give you a more personalized background of Antigua when I finally reach there and learn more about the island I will be calling home for the next 6 months.

Women Against Rape (WAR)

Mission Statement: Promoting inclusive Health Parity and Victim Justice through advocacy, education and direct service to vulnerable groups/MARPS irrespective of age, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

I know very little about WAR but thrilled to be working with them.  WAR and I have a shared passion for women, families, legal advocacy, and educating the public about healthy relationships and sexual assault.  From the minimal description of what I will be doing while at WAR, I will be able to work in all the above areas.  


In addition, it is expected I accomplish the below:

• Create an organizational Manual for day to day operations
• Train the President on the Manual
• A developed organizational template for a Strategic Plan 
• Train a number of persons in grant writing
• Update the data base
• Hold training sessions on sexual assault
• Hold Support Groups and counseling for girls who have been victims of sexual assault 
• Legal Advocacy and Legal Referrals to Victim

Again, I am thrilled to share more information about my projects with WAR and the important work WAR is doing in Antigua to support, advocate, and encourage women who have been victims of sexual assault. 

You Can Call Me...

Ms. Masters in Social Work! Last Thursday I attended the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work Recognition Ceremony! It feels so good to know I have achieved my goal and completed my Master's Degree! The last two months have been a true roller coaster of changes in plans, emotions (both negative and positive), tying up lose ends, moving out of my apt and Ooo Yea... graduating from my Master's program.  

I could not of done it without my Mother and her endless loving support!  Her ability to let me snap at her without her losing a beat in her amazing positive energy.  My marvelous sister who is beyond supportive, level headed, and has a realistic mindset.  She has guided my decisions I have made and I will forever look up to her.  I cannot forget my two best friends who are pictured above! They also graduated from the program and are one of the reasons I made it through the program without hurting someone :)  They will also hold a special in my soul!

Above, these are members of my marvelous 'Denver Family!'  These are Mary's (the PCV) Mother, Father, and Sister.  They are beyond supportive, giving, and individuals I will forever be grateful for :)

Lazy Little Life!

My life went from crazy to lazy and I love it! In my last few days in CO I am trying to just soak up every moment of life and spend time with my favorites! I am not sure if I will find myself back in CO and I do not want to regret not doing an activity!

On Monday, my good friend Allie (who is actually from MI but lives in CO) and I went hiking in one of my favorite cities in CO which is Boulder.  Boulder is similar to Ann Arbor and very much a college town.  Besides having great hiking, an amazing farmers market, it is home to a restaurant I simply love. After Allie and I went hiking we headed to Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery for a Bean Burger and a Beef Burger!  The restaurant does not accept Credit Cards but will give you a 'Karma Evelope' if you do not have cash so then you can mail cash for your bill :)

Anyways, I am grateful for my sweet friend Allie and the mountains of CO! 

Last Day with Bestest!

JumpStreet Crew

Sunday was a sad day because my best friend left! Before she left we went to JUMPSTREET! It an an amazing place with a bunch of indoor trampolines! I hope I NEVER forget the pure joy that was on everyone faces when we first jumped on the Trampolines! I went with seven of my friends all ranging in the ages of 22-26.  There was plenty of Trampolines and we played a good old fashion game of dodge ball on the trampolines! The boys one but that is beside the point! We went for a late birthday fun for me and sure had a blast! It was a great way to end the amazing long weekend with Beth!

Somedays I Just I Miss My Dad!

Some moments in life I Miss My Dad! I naturally miss him everyday but some moments in my life stick out were I just wish he could come 'save' me right at that minute.  But instead, as he taught me to be a strong female I must figure it out myself even if I get frustrated or it takes me a few extra trips!

For instances today! I was just pushing a two very heavy boxes down the hall because they need to get into the car so I can mail them tomorrow.  I needed to take two trips to the car because I could not lift both boxes at the same time.  And I know I have another box and bag in the house that has to make it may down there tomorrow! Tomorrow I know that I will be a hot mess trying to carry my three boxes into the box office! I am just hoping that a sweet person sees me and I remind them of their own daughter and they are willing to give me a helping hand.  If not I might find myself with tears in my eyes!

I was raised to be a strong independent woman that can take on the world if she wants.  I truly know I can do anything I put my mind to.  Some days, I wish my dad could help me and I did not have to do things by myself.  I was spoiled for 21 years of my life with a father that took amazing care of his daughter until she decided to fly away! Even then he still takes care of me just in a different way!  

Born to Save the World!

This above pictures just makes me smile on many different levels.  I do believe I was born to save the world, it is as simple as that! Many of you may be overwhelmed by the thoughts of saving the world but not me.  I am not overwhelmed because I believe I can save the world with small acts of kindness.


I am a Social Worker.  Every day while I am at my internship or volunteering, I am working with individuals to help them see how they are strong enough to overcome the situation they have find themselves in.  I sit with individuals and listen to their hardness, their goals, and sometimes while tears run down their faces.  


But somedays I am able to save the world by a simple gesture of a granola bar and gatorade.  Let me explain.  I had to go to the health center to get a TB test.  After, I am walking down the stairs to find a girl sitting there.  I ask her if she is OK and she simple answers "I am dizzy." I sit with for a little while and we walk down the stairs.  Once we reach the main area she sits down again because she is dizzy.  Naturally, the first time thing I think of is she needs food.  I offer to get her some food and run to get her a granola bar and gatorade.  When I return, I am greeted with a smile that expresses gratitude for my gesture and she informs me if she seems me again she will return the favor.  I simply tell her, "Pay it forward to someone you see that needs a little help."


Even small gestures can save that save the world.  Never pass the opportunity to bring a smile or show kindness to a stranger! 

Bringing the Suburb Girl Hiking

There are no pictures to illustrate our adventures on Friday but did have a good time. We hiked Red Rocks and then took a mineral bathe in Idaho Springs, CO.  The Mineral Bathe was HOT HOT but it was amazing for my pores to open up and to sweat out all of the toxins!

We Made It!

On Saturday we headed up to Boulder and went to the Farmers Market and Hiking.  I simply love the Farmers Market in Boulder and am excited for it to get later in the season when there are more crops! 

Supporting My Sister's Friend Sister! 

Beth and I hiked Flat Irons which is about a 3 mile hike and you end up hiking about 2,000 feet up.  It is a hike I have done about 3 or 4 times but the views are incredible.  I am extremely proud of Beth because she has not really hiked before and did amazing! Also, she over came some of her fears of hikes while hiking!