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Muhlenberg JCC: Student Shapes Staff Mentorship

Muhlenberg JCC: Student Shapes Staff Mentorship

When Center Life Supervisor Kelly Knight started her Job Corps  Career as a Residential Advisor she began questioning her ability to continue with the position after she witnessed two students in a physical altercation during her third week. While trying to calm down the students they began screaming and yelling at her while refusing to cease fighting. Once the on shift supervisor and security arrived things quickly halted and returned to normal. After everyone had left the dorm, Kelly went to her office to grab her personal items and walked outside to leave without plans to return. On her way to her vehicle Kelly ran into a student who boldly asked where she was going to which she replied she was leaving because she felt she could not help anyone here. The student looked at her and said that she could help him. At that moment Kelly stopped in her tracks when she heard the student’s words. She turned and invited the student who she later found out was named Marcus to come sit and talk with her in the office of the dorm. Marcus began opening up telling his story which brought Kelly to tears. This young man had known nothing but pain and rejection all his life, yet here he was with a smile on his face. He knew at this time in life he was in a place were people truly cared for him. Kelly said, “It really impacted my life how he came from such a painful background yet he took the time to stop and ask me where he was going when he thought I was upset. He changed my whole outlook on what being an RA and working in the Job Corps program is all about. No we cannot help or save all of our students , but while they are here we can sure make them feel loved, cared for and wanted. I always try and remember this when I have a difficult situation. Marcus taught me about compassion and empathy that night.” Stories like this exhibit that no matter the amount of difference we make in the life of a student, they have the ability to make just as much of one in our lives as well.

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