Where are they now?
At the present time, 80 percent of former program alumnae continue to work at non-profit agencies or service positions, serving poor and vulnerable populations. This speaks to the programs long term success in fulfilling its mission to “empower the powerless, promote peace, and transform the world”.
If you are an alumni of the Change a Heart program, send us an e-mail and let us know what you are up to!
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Allison Garver (2009) > East Liberty Family Medical Center
Hey ya'll! I am midway through graduate school on my way to becoming a physician assistant. Although a majority of my time is consumed with my head in a book, taking notes during a lecture, or flipping through flashcards, I'm finding plenty of time to enjoy this new chapter in my life. I've found my experiences with the Change A Heart Program and the East Liberty Family Health Care Center to be woven deeply into my heart and especially into my new life here on a day to day basis. Thanks to these organizations, I find that my motivation and passion for the profession have grown immensely and I feel that I'm called more than ever to make a difference in the lives of the underserved. I've gained unique skills, stories, and knowledge that I'm able to share with my classmates and professors and constantly relate classroom material to my service experiences. I've also continued to keep God alive in my life through prayer, through simplicity, and through community on a multitude of levels including finding a wonderful new church and joining a bible study support group. I cannot wait to see where my life takes me next, but surely Change a Heart and ELFHCC will always be a part of it.
Cheryl Cuglewski (2001-2002)
My volunteer year was completely life-changing! It's impossible for me to name just one memorable experience: having community with Noelle and Liz, finding a 10 dollar Christmas tree with ornaments through a classified ad, learning to draw blood and work as a nursing assistant at St. Francis Hospital, making friends with our neighbors Bob and Betty, budgeting our grocery money so we could visit our fellow volunteers in Puerto Rico, seeing the beauty in the poor, Noelle walking to work with me a half hour early each morning so I would feel safe, learning about humility and conflict, feeling loved and welcomed by the sisters, and being stretched to see God in every face I encountered. It is because of my volunteer experience that I returned to school and became a nurse... what a beautiful gift to discover something that I was passionate about and loved!
Jackie Spizarny Bull (1999-2000)
Personal Info: I have been married for 5 years to Jeremiah Bull. I have a 2 1/2 year old son Jabin, my daughter Jailyn will turn one November 9th and I am expecting my third in March. I work as a learning support teacher (special ed) for first, second, and third graders in Erie, Pa. My husband and I run the music program at church which includes adult choir, children's choir, bell choir, and liturgical dance.
Personal Reflection: I always look fondly on my year as volunteer as it helped me to grow up and become the woman I am today. While there were many challenges and many house meetings with tears, there are many moments in my life when I realize that those experiences prepared me for today. Sisiter Donna Stephenson used to say to me that what I experience today will prepare me for tomorrow. I am reminded of this every time I come to a difficult time in my life and I am able to talk, discuss ,and confront the issue from which I might otherwise run.
I learned perseverance as every electrical appliance broke that year and we had to make ends meet on a minimal amount of money. I will never forget the night we ate Bisquick and gravy because none of the appliances worked except for the toaster oven. Or the time we locked ourselves out of the house and had to go through Betty's house and then climb through the tiny kitchen window to get into the house. We persevered through differences of opinions (like when and what needed to be cleaned, what constituted an evening meal, who was allowed to join our meals, and boyfriends) and it made us stronger women to face the real life challenges of adulthood such as careers, marriage, family, and service in the community.
I used to say that volunteering was a way for me to sow my wild oats responsibly (avoid adulthood) but I left with a stronger sense of self, confidence in myself and my abilities, a determination to continue to make a difference in the world, and reassurance that God and my faith will help me to overcome any obstacle.
Kyle Johnson (2009-2010)
What motivated you to be a Change a Heart volunteer?
I wanted to be a Change a Heart volunteer because I wanted to get my life after college started off on the right path. I knew that Grove City College had a good deal of structure set up to guide students and wanted to avoid the culture shock of going instantly to being on my own. The great staff, fellow volunteers and Sisters of St. Francis provided the positive environment I was looking for. They have set me on an excellent path towards adulthood.
What do the values of the program mean to you in your life today?
The simple lifestyle practices I learned have absolutely carried over into life after the year of service. In particular, budgeting and communication skills have been the most applicable. I have learned to anticipate potential areas of conflict with my current roommates and have been proactive to cut those issues off before they grow into problems. Last year taught me to separate myself from unnecessary expenses and tighten up my budget. It is a bit counterintuitive, but the budgeting skills I learned while volunteering last year have me more on my way towards financial independence than if I had made more money with a traditional job.
Laura McGee (2009-2010)
One of the greatest things this program taught me was that humans, despite our differences in color, language, ethnicity, socio-economic status, are connected through the fact that we are all human - that we all experience pain and joys and needs, and that these are the essentials which unify us. It changed how I view people - I've been able to see people more as people to love and get to know rather than people who need my help.
Jaimee Hamilton (2009-2010)
What three words come to mind as you think of your overall experience with Change a Heart?
Rewarding, Unpredictable, Challenging
What was your most fulfilling/memorable experience?
When one of the residents spit in my eye and then later in the day gave me a big hug, kiss, and walked with me to the door when I left to go home.
Name one thing you learned and why.
I learned to be more patient with myself. It was only when I slowed down my pace and took time to get to know the residents, rather than rushing to get things done, that I came to be successful in working with the residents.
What advice would you share with a new Change a Heart volunteer?
To be open to change. You never know what life has to offer and if you remain patient, constant, and true to yourself you will be able to handle life's obstacles.