Caileigh Pattisall is a Good Shepherd Volunteer serving at the Rose and Blum Close to Home Residences in New York City. She recently graduated from James Madison University with a degree in social justice and communication. Caileigh has a passion for juvenile justice reform, community police policy and restorative justice initiatives.
Notes from the Field - I feel overwhelming gratitude for this year with Good Shepherd Volunteers and for the people I've met who have inspired me. I'm also nervous for what comes next, but with that comes excitement.
Notes from the Field - I can't come to realize God's intentionalities behind what has happened in my life, but I am rebuilding my trust in a plan someone greater has for me, all the while believing that I have the strength to heal and move forward in my life
Notes from the Field - There's something to be said for learning about the work directly from the people who have been here doing it. It's only right to bear witness to the issues and people you strive to advocate for.
Notes from the Field - My first breakthrough with the boys at Barbara Blum Residence, getting them to make bracelets with me, meant a lot. It was the first real start of establishing a relationship with each one of them.
Notes from the Field - What do I want to do and who do I want to be after my year with Good Shepherd Volunteers ends? I've started to zoom out and look at it through a bigger lens.
Notes from the Field - Learning more about the Good Shepherd Services youth residences made me appreciate everyone who works here even more, as they model behavior and create a culture where these kids can be better.
Working at the Barbara Blum Residence in New York City requires building trust with boys whose lives are very different from those of a white girl from Virginia.
Notes from the Field - Young offenders in a therapy program give powerful support to each other at Good Shepherd Services' Rose and Blum Close to Home Residences, focusing on trauma-informed care for kids.
