A New Haven

A little over a year ago I started working at the most rewarding job I have ever been blessed to have. It's funny how it happened. Often time the girls I work with would ask me "what brought you to New Haven". 

The truth is, I firmly believe that God did. Not because I think I'm God's gift to New Haven, far from it...I think it has been His gift to me. 

I was working at a call center for some extra income when out of nowhere they shut the entire center down, displacing over a hundred employees. I didn't technically need a job, but the extra income was nice. So I started looking at online job listings and I stumbled on one for New Haven. 

I had driven past New Haven several times over the last couple of years to my brothers house. The side road was perfect to get us where we needed to be. Every time I passed by, it may sound weird but it's almost as though the houses there called to me, they tugged at my heart with curiosity. So when I saw the job listing, I knew that I needed to apply for the job.

Upon setting foot on their campus it felt like a special place. I read the stone signs with their vision on them.

"We have a vision of a world where every young woman makes peace with her past, thrives in the present and facilitates lasting change hand in hand with the support of her family."

With my life experiences I couldn't agree more with that statement. Walking through that door for my interview truly changed my life. 

It has opened doors to some of my most treasured friendships, I have become a better person while working there and because I had the income we were able to build the home we are in now. 

But that's not all. 3 to 4 days a week I am given the honor to go to work and spend time with some of the most courageous teenage girls I know. It is not always a walk in the park, some days are down right difficult and I think "they don't pay me enough for this!" And other days are so amazing I think to myself "I can't believe I get paid for this!" Friday nights are my absolute favorite there. I get to plan CRAFT NIGHTS! I get paid to craft with some awesome people. How cool is that?! Since the ages of the girls I work with are 12-18 I will be sharing some of the crafts we have done together so that perhaps it may help some of you come up with ideas on crafts you can do with girls in that age group. 

Also, my work has an amazing website with a blog that has a wealth of information and how to deal with all sorts of difficulties teens and families face day to day. Go check it out here.

This was not even close to a sponsored post. It is just something I am so passionate about that I wanted to share with you.