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| Ari at her desk working on housing appointments |
Ariana Wakeman (Ari) has just about completed her year of service with us and will be moving on to hopefully bigger and better things.
We have been very grateful and blessed to have Ari on board with us and she has worked hard all year. As with my tradition since my arrival I wanted to ask Ari some questions about her experience here with us before her last day, which is July 25.
How did you feel when you found out you were coming to Delaware and to LCS?
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Ari: I
was excited to work for a program such as Lutheran Community Services. I was
unsure how I would like Delaware, but knew it would be a great experience.
Was this the
kind of work you were looking to do?
Ari: This
was exactly the kind of work I was looking to do. I was very interested in
working with low-income populations and being an advocate. This year has
confirmed for me that I am in the right field, and that I am passionate about
what I am doing.
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| Getting reading for produce distribution |
When you first
arrived, was it what you were expecting? What were your first impressions?
- Ari: I
did not have a lot of expectations coming into this position because I wanted
to be open to different experiences and learning opportunities. I felt very
welcomed by the staff and volunteers, which made the transition smooth
for me.
Would you want
to do this kind of work again and what have you learned while you were here?
-
Ari: I
would like to continue to work in this field. I feel that I have learned a lot
about how non-profits are run, how to interact with clients, and the details of
various government programs. I recognize that I have a lot more to learn, but I
am thankful for the opportunities for growth this has provided for me as an
individual.
Was there one
moment that sticks out to you that you will never forgot during your time here
at LCS?
- Ari: I
found that although there can be many stressful moments in an environment such
as this, there were also many times that laughter became the best medicine. I
am appreciative to have had people around me who were able to do this.
What will you
miss the most here at LCS?
Ari: I will really
miss the people, including both the volunteers and the staff. I am honored to
have worked with such genuine, caring, and compassionate individuals whom I
greatly look up to.
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| Ari and a volunteer prepare to call out numbers for produce in heat. Volunteers work in all weather for produce |
What plans do
you have after you leave?
Ari: I will be
attending the University of Michigan for my Masters in Social Work with a
concentration in Community Organizing and Health as well as joining the cycling
team there.
Ari, Thank You! You made such an impression on us and we are all going to dearly miss you. We wish you much success in your exciting future plans!
