My Internship Experience at United Way

When I started the post-graduate public relations program at Niagara College, I already knew which direction I wanted to take once I finished. An advantage of returning to school at age 40 - I have more life experience compared to younger students and know what my strengths and weaknesses are and what I'm passionate about.

Last fall, my fellow classmates and I had to apply for our internships. Since I have an intense desire to help and empower others, I was thrilled to learn there was a charity close to home willing to take in a student. With the program coordinator's support and encouragement, I sent in a resume to United Way South Niagara (UWSN). I had an interview with them in January, which subsequently led to my placement there this past April.

Putting my skills to use in the not-for-profit arena was very appealing. The idea I could make a positive difference in my community and help provide comfort to those suffering mentally, emotionally, physically or financially spurred me on when the going got tough. Believe me, as a single mom with three children, it was far from easy. Although, knowing my kids look to me as a role model (whether they'd admit to it or not) was another huge motivational factor. I wasn't just in it for myself.

The arrangement was a win-win for both the organization and me. They gained a motivated and eager employee for a month and I had the chance to test out my newly acquired public relations skills by completing a variety of projects for them. I prepared editorial and social media calendars and created content for social media platforms, wrote website content, assisted in event planning, analyzed reports and performed administrative duties. It felt good to work for an organization with values that align with my own.

United Way has three primary areas of concentration:
1. All That Kids & Families Can Be

2. Healthy People, Strong Communities

3. From Poverty to Possibility

Built on the belief that more could be accomplished to advance the common good by banding together, UWSN is a unique charity in that it doesn't raise money for its own direct cause.  They help create a healthier, stronger community by engaging people and mobilizing collective action. #WeArePossibility

With an annual campaign that runs from September to April, UWSN appeals to the community for donations and support. UWSN then gives back to the community by funding not-for-profit agencies that provide essential programs and services. With UWSN's assistance, the affiliated not-for-profit agencies don't have to spend their own time and money fundraising and can remain focused on their respective missions.

It was a pleasure to work with the executive director, campaign associate and book keeper. They are a small but amazing crew that, along with many volunteers, keeps UWSN ticking.

What can you do?
Give. Volunteer. Act.

Stephanie

P.S. Stay up to date with UWSN by joining them on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. 

School of Hard Knocks

For the last seven months, I was taking a full-time, post-graduate public relations program. Although I didn't make the Dean's List as I initially aspired to (90 per cent or more in all courses), I came pretty darn close. Despite this shortcoming, I'm not disappointed in myself. During my first term, my boss/friend gave me advice which enabled me to take a lot of pressure off myself, "Don't worry about your grades, just enjoy the journey."

As a mature student, I did the best I could while…

• raising two adolescent girls and a little boy, single-handedly

• healing from an abusive relationship and struggling with anxiety

• fighting for freedom from my ex through a completely unnecessary and prolonged legal battle (almost 2.5 years)

• cultivating a beautiful, new relationship with an intelligent, inquisitive, creative, brave and passionate man.

Ultimately, I realize my acomplishments cannot be measured by marks and the true value of my efforts may not be tangible for months or even years to come. I did, however, achieve my main goals: build self-confidence and improve self-esteem, practice and polish my writing skills, acquire formal training in Mac OS and desktop publishing, and make new friends and business contacts.

Returning to school was positively one of the best decisions I've ever made. I will look back on my time spent at Niagara College fondly and remember with appreciation the support and kindness I received from my teachers and classmates.

I wish my fellow classmates all the best, as we each embark on the next steps of our journeys - our internships.

Keep in touch,

Stephanie

She's Pretty Super, Even Without a Cape

People often remark, "You don't look like a
depressed person." I tell them, I'm not.
I'm a happy person, living with a
depressive disorder. - Susan Misfud

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a… middle-aged woman in a cardigan!?

“I thought I was able to leap tall buildings in a single bound,” said Susan Misfud of Niagara Falls, Ont. “I never asked for help before; I thought I could do it all myself.”

In 2010, Susan’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, her second marriage was deteriorating and her oldest son was battling mental health issues of his own. It was at this point, when she was dealing with many stressors, that she started “self-medicating with alcohol.”

“I never admitted I was struggling and needed help,” said Susan, a clean-cut business woman who had a succesful career in the human resources department at Brock University.

Fortunately, she realized drinking to help her cope with life’s difficulties “was a bad choice” and used it as a learning opportunity. She sought help from Community Addiction Services of Niagara (CASON) in St. Catharines and went through the rehab process there.

Susan attended a three-week program with a group of 15 others. She recalls one young woman from the treatment program who told her, “It’s funny, because you come here after work wearing your skirts and cardigans and yet you’re the same as we are.”

She agreed with her fellow group member, “There is no looking down. We are all equals. Everyone has the same opportunity to be unwell.”

Originally diagnosed with situational depression in her twenties, Susan was on and off medication for years. She was on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that took her “up and down, up and down.” Eventually, she and her doctor realized her depression and anxiety was a chronic case. She now takes medication regularly, which helps to keep her stabilized.

“If I had to take insulin because I was a diabetic, it doesn’t mean I could go out and eat all the sugar I wanted,” Susan said, explaining medication isn’t a cure-all.  “I had to change my lifestyle as well, making sure I’m sleeping properly, eating better, and exercising regularly.”

Susan said her biggest struggle was accepting that she suffered from mental illness. “It’s not something that’s transitory, but it doesn’t define who I am.”

Surprisingly, once Susan came to terms with her diagnosis, she was able to accept it as a gift. Deep introspection and self-reflection enabled her to experience an awakening which has proven to be very beneficial to her, especially in 2014 when Brock downsized and she lost her job.

After 26 years of service at Brock University, Susan, 49,

lost her job. She decided to go back to school for a Master

of Education degree. When asked to share an interesting

fact about herself with the class, she nervously blurted out,

"I'm old enough to be everyone's mom."

Susan always thought she would retire from the university where she worked for 26 years.  Although her job loss did come as a shock, she said she realized it wasn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to her.

Many people are devastated by job loss, but due to her experience with depression and anxiety she has developed a resilient character. “I spent a lot of time figuring out what gives me energy and what takes my energy,” said Susan. “I have a very good sense of who I am, what I’m passionate about and what I want to do, and I’ve been able to funnel myself into those opportunities."

Susan has been boldly sharing her journey with mental illness since she became a volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CHMA) in 2008. She is aware openly speaking about her struggle with depression, anxiety and addiction may put a damper on her job search in the Niagara Region where the “job market is not all that fabulous” to begin with.

“There is still great amount of stigma associated with mental illness and there are some employers who are going to look at that and move on, but the flip side of that is I shouldn’t be working for those organizations anyway.”

After completing a Master of Education degree last December, Susan decided to leverage her expertise in human resources to start her own business focusing on opportunities in mental health education and administrative projects.

Susan has made a progression from "self-stigma to empowerment" and has transitioned from self-acceptance to fighting for social justice. “I need to walk the talk, put myself out there,” said Susan, whose goal is to support others in their recovery journey.

With a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh, it is hard to believe anything could keep Susan from reaching her dreams. She's unstoppable.

Find out more about Susan and her inspiring story by visiting her blog, silverliningfrog. It's definitely worth the read.

All the best,
Stephanie

Listen Up!

My mom had our clock radio tuned to the local country music station, when I was a kid. Music was our morning alarm, so I got ready for school listening to tunes like The Gambler by Kenny Rogers, Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, and Wasn't that a Party by the Irish Rovers.

My dad bought me albums of popular children's music, including Raffi, Fred Penner and Sharon Lois and Bram. I also enjoyed his record collection: Pink Floyd, Moody Blues and The Steve Miller Band.

As a teenager, my music choices branched even further out. I had hundreds of cassette tapes. Everything from soft, hard and alternative rock to pop, post punk and new wave. My cousin and I went to several concerts together, including Neil Young, Rolling Stones, The Tragically Hip and Rush.

Lyrics are usually catchy. One could easily learn the words to a song, but never quite hear its message. A prime example of this is Freewill from Rush's album Permanent Waves.

Back then, the profound meaning behind the song went over my head and I missed the important lesson: "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."

It wasn't until 2012, when I read a story titled Choices by a man who proclaimed "no one gets a pass on the obligation of choice," that I finally got it. He was referring to those who stay in unhappy or abusive relationships.

I had been living in a relationship that was very much one-sided. I gave up on my wants and needs and surrendered control to my partner. I thought marriage was forever and that our love for each other could conquer anything. In reality, I was the one who was doing all the work. He was emotionally unavailable, detached and indifferent to my pain. Like many others living in similar situations, I felt powerless.

I was existing in a vicious cycle of hope and unfulfilled promises. I didn't know what to do, so I did nothing. BUT, by doing nothing, I was still making a choice. Once I understood this, I realized I had many options. I could choose deliberately (or by doing nothing) to stay in the dysfunctional relationship, or I could hold him accountable for his behaviour and leave. I became empowered and chose to take action. No more passive choices.

Don't leave your life to chance. Take control. Make informed choices. Choose FREEWILL.

Yours truly,

Stephanie