Diversity Experiences
Community Options (Spring 2013-Fall 2014)
I had the privilege of working for Community Options for a year as a DSP. Throughout my work experience as a Direct Support Professional, I worked with some amazing families and individuals with special needs. I learned so much about the hardships and joys these families encounter in their day to day life and in the community. I worked with individuals from the ages of five to twenty-seven and aimed to assist them in reaching their goals, set by themselves and their families.
Fall Supper for the New Americans-
International Club Thanksgiving. (Fall 2013)
This was a Thanksgiving, potluck meal where people from all over the world came to gather to share their culture and meet new people. People were seated at tables and they all sat with “like” people. It was very odd being the minority with no definite culture or race having the majority. I felt very out of place and uneasy. They opened with a blessing for the food and then asked us to dish up our food. We dished up our food and it was very interesting to see the different dishes people brought. After supper, a lady got up and introduced herself and asked everyone in attendance to do the same. These people came from around the world and they all expressed how much they liked Bismarck. One couple told of their first experience with snow, while a few couples spoke of their time in the Peace Corps. It was very inspiring to hear these people talk about their experiences of helping others around the world and also to hear the “New Americans'” love for Bismarck and the United States.