An Intern Remembers

Recently we asked an intern to sum up their experiences at CCCO and she responded with many great thoughts. Highlights below...

I really enjoyed working with the Little Angels.  I got a chance to do one on ones with the kids and I really got to know who they were as individuals.  I felt like at the end of my time I got to know the Little Angels on a deeper, more personal level than I had originally thought I would.  Being with them was a delight.  For example, I loved working with "T" and encouraging him in his homework and seeing what a smart 5 year old he is!  Also, one day I sat with "Z" and we had "Princess time" together.  She bought a princess dress with her Say YES money and I helped her try it on and then we sat and put eye shadow and lip gloss on each other.  It was pure joy for me to do something with her that I knew she loved.  

Yes, there were challenges.  Two of the biggest challenges were patience and emotional issues.  Many of the days I would go home and be frustrated at myself because I know I had lost my patience with the kids, or because I felt like all I did all day was tell they kids what to do/and put them in time out.  It was hard for me to find the balance of having fun and allowing
them to have their freedom, along with keeping structure and doing what needed to be done that day.  I either felt like things were out of control, or I felt like I was too strict and no fun for them.  So, it was finding the balance that was hard for me.  

Another struggle for me was the emotional side of things, on my part and on the kids part.  These kids have so many
different struggles and internal issues that are so different from the middle class, suburban kids that I am used to being around.  Especially the Little Angels who are so young and have a hard time understanding their feelings or knowing how to express them.  So some days I would find one of them in the corner crying for no apparent reason, or I would say something
to them that I didn't feel was harsh, but they would break down crying or get upset.  So I had to learn positive ways of dealing with that and learn to be sensitive towards it.

Although there were those challenges and at times it was tough, the highlights and the lessons I learned from it made it all worth it.  I don't feel like anyone grows as much without challenges.  The love that I was able to give and the love that
I received from the kids and the staff made it all worth it.  

I would definitely recommend this placement to others.  I think Say YES is a great program.  God is truly impacting and changing children's lives through this program.  I am so thankful and blessed to have been a part of it.  

LB