Catholic Volunteers in Florida - SERVICE SITE SPOTLIGHT LArche Harbor House by Alumnus Sally Koch Sally had several things on her mind when she applied to become an assistant at LArche Harbor House. A recent graduate of the University of South Dakota with a major in psychology and a minor in music, she had tentative plans to attend graduate school in counseling. But I wasnt ready for that yet, says the Nebraska native. I knew I wanted to volunteer for a year and focus on someone other than me. Also, after growing up in the cold, I knew I wanted to live someplace warm. Sally searched the Web for volunteer opportunities. Through Catholic Volunteers in Florida, she was connected to LArche Harbor House in Jacksonville. It was the kind of location shed been looking for, but at first, Sally couldnt see herself at LArche. I had volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in West Virginia and the Appalachian area in Kentucky, but I didnt have experience with community living or with physical or developmental disabilities, so I was uneasy about it. Honestly, I said no at first because I was scared. Then, right when I hung up the phone, I realized my mistake. God was telling me to go for it. So I picked up the phone and called back. Since then, she hasnt looked back, she explains. I got here and it was just so open and friendly and accepting. I really felt at home by the second week. Ive been a lot of places, and Ive never felt like that before. Here, its different. Its very homey. Thats not to say that life as a LArche assistant is a cakewalk. At first, it all seemed a bit overwhelming. Id have to say patience is necessary. Im here for them Shes loved the journey of self-discovery, LArche is very open to self-discovery, to finding the best version of yourself.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 22:35:52 +0000
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