Our first post long-weekend Meet-up Social was attended by 22 Rotarians and our new Exchange Student from Belgium -Constance!
As promised the get together was without formal agenda, we had social time pre and during our meal and followed by a Classification Talk by Katie MacArthur.
Katie shared that ever since she can remember she wanted to be a veterinarian and then hearing about Doctors without Borders she wanted to be a Doctor. Then a psychologist for kids and families. The common link was helping people and it was her last year of university taking a “Community Psychology” course that really determined her direction.
KatieTalked about community psych and related issues like social determinants of heath, social justice, diversity, individual wellness, health promotion and disease prevention, community collaboration, and sense of community/belonging. It still took her a long time to get there.
Katie also worked as a server at a hotel out west, she traveled Europe for a couple of years, but coming home for Christmas one year she realized this is where she wanted to be. She worked at the Advertiser/Register and also gained experience working at the Hospital Foundation which led her to the current employment at the EDGE.
Her title is Job Success Coordinator - she delivers a program for18-26 year olds on income assistance and they go through an 8 week program of pre-employment and employment readiness. Program different from “school” and provide help with navigating life and feeling a part of a community. Katie likes what she is doing which includes getting young people sustainable work, advocating for the young with employers, -- we could tell as she was very passionate when she spoke to us today!!! THANKS KATIE!!
There was time for lots of questions - Bill thanked Katie and as promised we finished at 7PM.
HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT "MEET-UP" SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 16TH