Why intern at Shorehaven?
When I was looking for a placement site I wanted something close to home that also had a mission I could support. I was familiar with Shorehaven already as my mother-in-law has been a volunteer here for many years. She’s spoken so highly of the staff and team here, that I knew it would be a good fit. Not only that, I knew Chaplain Nick’s wife from my time as a camp director when she would bring her church youth to camp. All signs pointed to this being a good fit for my education.
Current Employment:
I currently work full time as the Aquatics Director at the YMCA in Oconomowoc. I am also serving as a Chaplain Candidate in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. In September I will be stepping away from my position at the YMCA to attend Chaplain School for the Army, and upon my return I will begin an internship in a local congregation for seminary.
What learning from interactions:
Having spent time with the residents and volunteers at Shorehaven I have learned just how powerful this community is. The strength of relationships has been shown time and time again as members of the community support and lift one another up through struggles and hardships.
What I hope to get out of the internship experience:
My goal for this internship training was to learn and grow as a chaplain. While I experience in chaplain ministry, this specific community offered more contextual education that can help me refine my skills and develop new ways to administer spiritual care.
Why I’d recommend this opportunity:
The community here has been so supportive. The staff and volunteers have been incredibly helpful whenever I have questions. From the start of my internship I felt set up for success by getting written information about the facility and procedures, and also having someone always available if I had any questions.
What surprised me the most:
I was surprised by the diversity of residents here at Shorehaven. There are people here needing so many different levels of support, that as I visit residents on different households each one is a completely different and unique experience. There is so much more to the ministry of Shorehaven than I originally expected.