Christine Nemetz's Reflections

Having worked with CPS, I have had the opportunity to build and strengthen community partnerships. For example, during the 2006 Thanksgiving Basket Drive, it became apparent that the needs of all families being served by the agencies who distribute the food baskets were not being met. With the large migrant farmworker population in the area, there are many Hispanic families living in and around the Gettysburg area. Many of these families were not sure what to do with several of the food items in a traditional Thanksgiving food basket. To address the needs of this population, I met with liaisons from the Lincoln Intermediate Unit, South Central Community Action Program food pantry, the Welfare office, and El Centro to make plans for an alternate Thanksgiving Basket. Over 60 of these baskets were requested, donated, and allowed this project to make a difference for many more families.

I have learned the importance of community partnerships to facilitate ideas and informed action. We can work towards social justice by creating effective networks to avoid overlapping services and overuse of resources. Community partnerships help us to respect and understand the communities we serve, motivate each other toward positive change, and create effective action plans to get at the root of social issues.

As an ally in Circles of Support, a support program that helps lower income families get out of poverty, I have developed a better understanding of the struggles faced daily by those who live at or below the poverty line. I am constantly inspired by the positive attitude the Circle Leaders and their families have, despite the challenges they face. I have been challenged me to develop reciprocal relationships with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and ethnicities, often times out of my comfort zone.

Many of the Circle Leaders work more than one job but struggle to support their families on meager wages, clearly demonstrating the difference between minimum wage and living wage. I have learned that there are many community resources available, but it seems that additional services are needed and access could be greatly improved because every time a family takes a step towards financial stability, they seem to lose a social service benefit. Support networks like Circles of Support provide encouragement for families and collaboration between Circle Leaders and allies results in mutually beneficial partnerships.

Working at CPS I have had the opportunity to see many of my peers have “ah-ha” moments where it is evident that they just had a “big picture” realization. Being able to facilitate programs that encourage students to look deeper into social issues and consider other viewpoints while still acting with compassion has shaped my desire to promote social justice.

Through these experiences I have learned that leadership is a lot more than the logistics. To be a leader is to utilize the skills of many to work towards a common goal. Good leadership involves commitment to informed action, where education and discussion lend themselves to social change.

I have striven to become more comfortable interacting with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. I have stepped out of my comfort zone to lead Gettysburg College students on DC Outfitters trips which are never predictable and always promise interactions with a diverse population in DC. I am becoming more at ease leading group reflections to allow other students to critically consider what they have learned from the interactions we have had on DC Outfitters trips. I also have the opportunity to work with Special Projects this semester, which allows me to be innovative and pursue new ventures to increase the presence CPS has on campus and in the community and provide more learning experiences for students.

I have learned a tremendous amount in my time here at CPS. I used to be involved in many service experiences prior to working for CPS, but I never considered the underlying issues behind the service. Now, I look critically at band-aid solutions pasted over problems that are just symptoms of underlying issues and I want to change what we do so we can get at the root of the underlying issue. It can be incredibly frustrating at times when it seems that others do not understand what you are working for or, worse, do not care. Changes can be made, but it takes a lot of work and there is a lot to overcome. Through my Learning Circle, Circles of Support, I am starting to get a better feel of the struggles those who live at or below the poverty line face on a daily basis. I am excited for the opportunity to be an ally to the circle leaders and help them build their resources and the community’s resources for those in generational poverty.