This is me: Rachel Anne Olsen. I'm about to be a graduate of the Human Services Program from Western Washington University. It has been an incredibly meaningful journey to start discovering my gifts, calling, and direction in life. Over the past two years, I've had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and theory in the Human Services field. I've had a couple years off from school, and so I entered the program with some good direct service experience working with children, youth, and people with disabilities. I discovered a different passion than I had expected-- I enjoy many aspects of indirect service! Through the different classes in Nonprofit Management and Program Planning, I found that I want to be part of the systems-change movement.
I am passionate about writing, but never knew how that gift could be used in the nonprofit world. In my final internship with the Whatcom Council on Aging (WCCOA) I helped plan a fundraiser they will implement this fall and wrote a grant. I really enjoyed being part of the fund development aspect of the organization. Not only was it a great experience, WCCOA got $14,000 from the grant I wrote!
As I began to decide what direction I wanted to take after graduation, I realized that I wanted to have a job that would provide a combination of direct and indirect service. I love providing tangible service to people, however, I also want to be involved in the larger systemic issues to create long-term change. Completely unexpectedly, a job that I had interviewed for back in February, offered me a position last week that starts the beginning of July! I took the job on the spot because it was a perfect fit! I will be an Employment Specialist for Work Opportunities in Bellingham. I will have the privilege of providing job coaching and job development for people with disabilities. This job will be a combination of direct service with participants and also job development as more of an indirect, systems-perspective.
The time I've had at Western and in the Human Services Program will help shape me the rest of my life. I was given the tools and resources I need in order to live my life in a meaningful way. I am passionate about advocating for those who are marginalized and who's voices aren't heard. I will be able to live that mission and calling every day in my job!
The foundation and reason why I pursued the field of Human Services is because of the gift of love and service I've been given, and receive each day. I am recipient of God's grace through Jesus Christ, and my response to His ultimate love for me is to give back whatever I can. He saved me from the selfish death that I would suffer without Jesus, and now I get to surrender and give my life back to Him as a way of worship. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." So, therefore, my philosophy of helping is as follows:
Philosophy of Helping
Out of the gift and love I've been given in Christ, I will serve others with all of my heart, soul, and mind. I will stand up for the marginalized. I will advocate, empower, and support those who I have the privilege of knowing through my life. This calling and desire can only be done with Jesus' strength in me, and I will live my life to glorify His name.
I am passionate about writing, but never knew how that gift could be used in the nonprofit world. In my final internship with the Whatcom Council on Aging (WCCOA) I helped plan a fundraiser they will implement this fall and wrote a grant. I really enjoyed being part of the fund development aspect of the organization. Not only was it a great experience, WCCOA got $14,000 from the grant I wrote!
As I began to decide what direction I wanted to take after graduation, I realized that I wanted to have a job that would provide a combination of direct and indirect service. I love providing tangible service to people, however, I also want to be involved in the larger systemic issues to create long-term change. Completely unexpectedly, a job that I had interviewed for back in February, offered me a position last week that starts the beginning of July! I took the job on the spot because it was a perfect fit! I will be an Employment Specialist for Work Opportunities in Bellingham. I will have the privilege of providing job coaching and job development for people with disabilities. This job will be a combination of direct service with participants and also job development as more of an indirect, systems-perspective.
The time I've had at Western and in the Human Services Program will help shape me the rest of my life. I was given the tools and resources I need in order to live my life in a meaningful way. I am passionate about advocating for those who are marginalized and who's voices aren't heard. I will be able to live that mission and calling every day in my job!
The foundation and reason why I pursued the field of Human Services is because of the gift of love and service I've been given, and receive each day. I am recipient of God's grace through Jesus Christ, and my response to His ultimate love for me is to give back whatever I can. He saved me from the selfish death that I would suffer without Jesus, and now I get to surrender and give my life back to Him as a way of worship. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." So, therefore, my philosophy of helping is as follows:
Philosophy of Helping
Out of the gift and love I've been given in Christ, I will serve others with all of my heart, soul, and mind. I will stand up for the marginalized. I will advocate, empower, and support those who I have the privilege of knowing through my life. This calling and desire can only be done with Jesus' strength in me, and I will live my life to glorify His name.