As a first year placement student coming to Serve! twice a week, my initial role was to mainly observe the workings of a not-for-profit agency.  But I quickly came to learn that I couldn’t hide in the background forever.  I am a student at George Brown College in the Assaulted Women and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate (A.W.C.C.A.) program, and while I may not be practicing my counselling skills, I am learning a lot about the issues that affect youth; a population that I am a part of.

I will admit that I was nervous at the beginning, and still am at times, but in the past five weeks I have slowly worked on developing my skills as the team members (youth participants) work on theirs.  I have had a chance to do some one-on-one work for the Don’t Just Sit There, Stand Up Together project and the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) project, which allowed me to act from my own skill level while helping another.  In particular, I am motivated by the work the team is doing for the WRC (an organization that works to end violence against women), a cause that is close to my heart.

Every time I come into Serve! I find myself challenged by something new.  Even writing this entry is an experience, even though I love to write, knowing that it will be published on the Serve! website.  I am not sure what the next few months will bring, but I hope to not only expand on my own knowledge, but also give something back.

Resources and further information about the White Ribbon Campaign can be found at White Ribbon Campaign
This blog entry was written by Marina Izakov