Kristan Baer

I wrote an essay on how my volunteer experience helped me grow personally and professionally.

Adult Mandatory Reporter Training
I completed a training on being a mandatory reporter for adult abuse. I learned about the steps to take if I suspect or witness adult abuse.

I liked being able to connect people in the community with resources that could assist in meeting their needs.
It can be challenging when people are frustrated because they have already tried the resources we have given them. Often, these resources might be out of funds or have qualifications that people have to meet to receive aid.
My key takeaway from this day was that although there are quite a few resources for people living in Jefferson county, this is often not the case in rural communities. There are a lot of problems caused by lack of public transportation.

I learned a lot about the resources available for people in need in the state of Alabama. I gained experience in working in the call center.

I have enjoyed working with Mrs. Weaver. She has been an excellent supervisor. Her passion for Camp Fire shines through her actions and presence. I loved working with the children and the activities that were created for them each week. The most challenging part for me was the time changed for meeting with the kids shortly before the sessions began. It was difficult to get to the school earlier due to traffic and distance. My key takeaway is that volunteering is wonderful. I have gained so much experience in such a short time. This experience has validated my desire to be a social worker.