Bridget Siljander
A conference call isn’t usually an easy way to get to know someone, but there was a lot of laughter, sharing, and mutual support last week when the 2009 class of the Voices Institute National Leadership Program took part in a long-distance direct care worker exchange.
I was excited about getting to know these impressive leaders, and it seems they were eager to meet each other too. The energy and sense of community I felt within our virtual gatherings, and the sense of easy familiarity that quickly built between us, were exhilarating.
This was not the first time I have had this experience. The same positive spirit percolated in the first interactions of the 2008 inaugural class of the Voices Institute National Leadership Program. I will never forget how it captured my heart and my imagination. I’d found my way into my niche, into the group of people I most identified with. It was a profound connection: I was home.
Last week, I heard the next class began to make that same connection.
There’s something special in direct care workers that we respond to when we meet, an element that I both witness and dance with. It is beautiful, and it reflects our inner strength.
This cohesion will take us far as we strive to make the direct care profession into what it is capable of becoming, building a thriving, dignified and celebrated multi-million-member workforce that can be relied on for decades to come by Americans who need direct care and support services to achieve their highest potential and quality of life.
We direct care workers have what it takes to grow our movement from the grassroots. Though we value and cherish our allies, we must address our own professional challenges and achieve our own dreams. And there is not a doubt in my mind that we can.
As one member of this fragmented but massive tribe, I feel privileged that I can introduce more champions to our mission in my role as coordinator of the Voices Institute.
When our 2009 class meets in person for the first time this September, I think I already know the first thing I’ll tell them:
“Welcome Home!”
Bridget Siljander
Voices Institute Coordinator
Direct Care Alliance
Congratulations to the 2nd Voices Institute National Leadership class!
As part of the selection committee, I was amazed by the knowledge, dedication, and compassion I saw in every application I read in this process. All of you are wonderful — no matter if you were chosen, are an alternate, or are one that we just couldn’t chose because we had so many apply this year. You ALL are very special.
This program is a life-changing experience. You will walk in the DeKoven Center as you, but leave 1 week later as you plus new knowledge you would have never imagined. When my daughter was young, she used to come home from school and say: “Mom, I have a new wrinkle in my brain, I’ve learned something new today.”
You will leave the DeKoven Center with those wrinkles hanging down to your knees!! Your newfound knowledge will amaze you. As a graduate of the first ever Voice Institute, I left with an unreal amount of knowledge.
You will make new friends, learn from your peers, share your own knowledge, and find a voice you never knew you had. Remember, you are a PROFESSIONAL…
I have a saying I’d like to share with you. It’s something I believe in and use it often in my life to accomplish things I may feel are not within my reach: “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers, but above all the world needs dreamers who do.”
What a wonderful post. As a alumni of the first VI I want to tell the new class to hang on and enjoy the ride. As Brenda said you will leave a changed person.
At our graduation ceremony, I said that we arrived as strangers and were leaving as family. You will find a new group that you will have many things in common with. The connection will amaze you.
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2nd VI class!!
I just want to say how much I am looking forward to attending in September even if I get wrinkles down to my knee’s (they don’t have much further to travel anyway)!! And a HUGE thanks to Bridget for helping convince my company that Voices will help them as well as me!
Christine I can’t wait until you get back from VI you will be a tremendous addition to WIDCA. I knew you should attend VI when I met you at the conference in April. I am looking forward to working with you in our efforts to bring DCW issue to the forefront. Gitter Done!!!!
It is exciting to hear of the great progress being made in preparation for the second national voices leadership program. I am happy and excited for all the participants, as well as the oppertunity for growth of the DCA in all states involved.