This is a photo of myself and all of the other TFAS interns. What an amazing group of young people. They represent all parts of our country, are bright, kind, and a joy to know. Their passion for life encourages me to believe in the future of our country.
On a typical day... I wake up to the sounds of people talking and shuffling along the sidewalk, cars honking at one another because they are in a hurry, and buses passing by to pick up individuals to take them to work just outside my window, and I smile. I get up to make coffee and breakfast before I get ready for my trek to work. I like to get up early so that I can watch some CNN or MSNBC and check my emails. I look at my calendar to determine if I will be going to any meetings outside of the office or not so that I know how to dress for the day. I also check to see if I have class that day and what assignments will be due. After I throw all of my needs for the day in a bag, I lock up and walk a block to catch a bus. The bus takes me to Union Station, where I walk the rest of the way to our office on 1st St. When I am on the bus, it is one of my favorite times. I love to people watch and the diversity of individuals in Washington never disappoints. One day, as I sat in the back of the bus, a young African American woman was talking out loud to someone on the phone. I didn't mean to eaves drop, but she was talking loudly so I couldn't help myself. She was talking to someone in high school who wanted to get a job to make money. She encouraged them that if they wanted to go to college, she needed to get involved in organizations at school. Keeping her grades up was important, but being involved in community and school clubs was something colleges looked at too. I nodded up and down in agreement with her wise words. She had a way with the young person she spoke to. She noticed my approval and eventually got off of the phone. She told me it was her sister she was talking to. I told her that it wasn't too late for her to go to college either and not to give up on herself either because she had a good head on her shoulders. She smiled and said people tell her that all of the time. She says they tell her she should work with teenage kids. She responded, but I don't have any patience for them. I tell it like it is. I responded, "that is exactly what they need!" We reached Union Station and got off of the bus together. She told me that she was only twenty six years old and that her and her daughter were homeless. She had a job but couldn't find affordable housing and couldn't get any help from public services. Sometimes she stays at her boyfriends place or a friends place but she has a daughter with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I smile and tell her that I am the mother of two adult children with ASD. I told her how I went back to school after my divorce, my age, and where I was interning. She was shocked but wanted to take my number and gave me hers. We needed to both go to work so we said goodbye and got ready to depart in our separate directions. I said, oh come on and reached out and gave her a hug. I told her to not give up on herself, her daughter, or her dreams. It felt great to know that I was exactly where I needed to be at that moment. When I get to work, I check on the status of a bill of interest to my organization to see if there are any new Co-sponsors. I let three of the individuals I work with know through email. I do research on bills of interest, worked on an Autism fact sheet, organizing data to build a case for more funding, and attend meetings with my co-workers or in their behalf. Yesterday, we had a staff meeting and I got to learn about all of the work the different team members have been working on. I loved hearing what they are working on and the dynamic of the team. I marvel at the make up of the team and am impressed with their knowledge. I leave to go home at 5 most days but leave early on one day to get to class.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Daphne ThompsonPursuing a Bachelor Degree in Public Services and Policy, Daphne is starting her senior year this fall. Archives
March 2016
Categories
All
|