Okay, so I'm still in the "Honeymoon Stage" at the Salem Village, but I absolutely love, love, love it! Yes, the kids are a challenge, but I''m not a direct care provider... so it's not too crazy.
The Salem Children's Village in Rumney, NH is a housing/treatment facility for boys with ADD or ADHD. There are Salem Children's Villages throughout the world, and in other states (Virginia, Washington). They began in Germany, after WW2 for displaced and orphaned children. Since that time, Salem Children's Villages became more focused on children with specific issues, but ADD & ADHD are the foundational problems required for state funding at our campus.
My position at Salem is as Residential Coordinator Assistant. I'm the support staff member for 10 house parents. The house parents work in male-female teams for alternating weeks (living with the boys) and provide direct care, discipline, and house duties. There is a ratio of 1 staff to 3 kids, but some of the guys require full-coverage at all times. My job is to assist the houses in geting supplies they need, setting-up appointments, and helping with closure after crisis issues. In short, I am a link between the house parents and the Director/President. I sit in all treatment meetings, reinforce boundaries, and help bring each Salem child closer toward their treatment goals.
I love the people. Everyone is focused on giving the kids a solid foundation of consistancy. Some have everything money can buy, but are still in need of a separate, safe home life. We've got kids coded with everything from ADD to Oppositional Defiancy Disorder, clinical depression, bipolar, self-injurious, etc. Many have been sexually assaulted, whether in foster homes or by family members. They range in age from 8-18, but most are in their pre-teens right now (fun, right?).
I've had such peace about working here. Most of my colleages are like me: granola/crunchy psych majors with high ideals. The Administrative staff are slightly high strung, but everyone else is super mellow and low-key. They are considdered "the hippies on the hill." Is this not the perfect fit for me?
To close, here is a list of historical and comtemporary celebs most likely to have struggled with the same issues as our salem kids (names in red = vegetarians) :
- John F Kennedy
- Leonardo daVinci
- Cher
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Bill Clinton
- Albert Einstein
- Bill Cosbie
- Winston Churchill
- Harry Belafonte
- Henry Ford
- Walt Disney
- Louis Pasteur
- Robin Williams
- Dwight D Eisenhower
- Jim Carey
- John Lennon
4 comments:
wow, alicia. it sounds like you're truly following you "calling." i have to say i'm a little jealous--you go to work and impact lives every day. that's awesome and rewarding and eternal.
i'll be praying that you have opportunities to share your faith. i'm sure with so many granola-psych majors there's lots of philosophical differences. hopefully your methodology will provide a solid starting point for spiritual discussions. i'm so excited to hear what the future days will hold!
love you.
so glad your first week is going well. In all you do, you are pointing people to Christ- may HE radiate through you!
My heart is glad when I read your posts!
Hey--you always work so hard to make this a fun and interesting place to visit. Of course it is MORE FUN to come and (work) in person. It was a pleasure for me to work along side my Big Girl once again. Thanks for taking me on that scary ride back home from Littleton, NH and the wonderful Martini's....LOVE, Mom
Congrats to the DeWever and Horkey families!! Gunner- it seems so appropriate. So glad Michelle is doing well and that the baby is healthy and that Luke was there for ever "beautiful" moment.
You'll be the perfect aunt!
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