Getting To Know Our Volunteers...Erin R.

My name is Erin R. and I am a Junior at Shippensburg University. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women and Gender Studies. My goal upon graduation is to become a sexual assault and domestic violence counselor. Becoming a volunteer at Transitions this summer was something I wanted to do to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in the field I plan to work. I knew I would learn a lot, but never expected to learn as much as I did. Coming in on my first day I was not sure of anything. I was not sure if I would like it or even be able to handle such and emotionally tolling kind of work. I knew that the job the staff members and volunteers do at Transitions was no easy task. However, I knew after my first day I was going to love what I was doing and the people I would be working with. I attended a staff meeting on my first day and immediately felt welcomed by all. As the weeks went on, I felt more and more comfortable speaking up at these meetings and expressing my feelings. I never felt like I could not say what I was feeling or ask a question that I had thought of. The work done at Transitions is not only challenging but extremely humbling. The people who give their time to this wonderful organization are not receiving glory or fame which is unfortunate because these are the people who deserve it. The job done here needs to be done but cannot be done by all. I respect everyone I have worked with here and have faith that their strides towards non-violence will succeed. I got to experience many new things such as educational programs, hotline phone calls, PFA hearings, and learning just some of what is done daily in a shelter. This experience has been eye-opening and has strongly confirmed what I would like to do with the rest of my life which is to help those who were once or currently are victims of violence. Although this summer is quickly coming to an end, my time at Transitions is not. I plan on returning to do more volunteer work over Christmas break and am also hopeful to become an intern next summer. Although I knew that spending time at Transitions would be a wonderful experience, it greatly exceeded my expectations. The people I got to work with whether it staff, volunteers, or clients taught me so much more than I could have ever learned in a classroom and I am extremely thankful to all of them and can’t wait to work with them again in a few months!

 
Submitted by Erin R.