Hello!

Happy 2017! (It’s not too late to say that, right?) Since the new year, we have said goodbye to our Northeastern Coop, Varsha Kumar who has returned to Northeastern University to finish her studies. While we said goodbye to Varsha, we do have the opportunity to welcome two new interns. They come to Little Brothers from the Institute of Technology in Co. Sligo Ireland, where they are both in their third year and studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Care Practice. I’d like to officially welcome, Laura Hastings and Jill Gibson, who will be with us for the next three months. In their own words, I will allow them to introduce themselves to you.

Intern Bios

Laura Hastings

I am 21 years old and originally from County Mayo in the west of Ireland. The course offers a wide range of future career possibilities including working in health services, statutory or voluntary organizations, in community-based bodies and the private sector. As a future social care practitioner, I would have the opportunity to work with a wide group of people including those in out-of-home care, those who are unemployed, disabled, homeless, experiencing addictions, or those who may require advocacy and support. As part of my degree I have to complete two 13 week/one semester placements and last year I completed my semester in an Autistic spectrum disorder unit for children in Ireland. This year I have come to Boston MA to complete my 3 months with Little Brothers. In my time with little brothers I hope to get experience in working with older people as I have previously worked with children and youth. During my time at LBFE I will be working with my classmate from Ireland, Jill, on a curriculum for future volunteers/interns, by completing this I hope to improve many skills such as organizational and researching skills while also getting a better understanding on the work that little brothers does in the community. By working in LBFE I feel it will also give me the opportunity to look at non-profit organization in the USA compared to those in Ireland. Overall I look forward to working with and learning from my co-workers, the elders and other volunteers in LBFE. (pictured on the left)

Jill Gibson
I am a 22 year old student from County Monaghan in Ireland. The Social Care Practice is a four year degree that covers a broad spectrum of modules to ensure students are ready to work in the many different areas of Social Care. These include disabilities, youth work, addiction studies, foster care, working with the homeless and working with the elderly. In year 2 and year 3 students must carry out a 13 week placement. For year 2 we must complete this placement in Ireland. I completed my placement in a Family Resource Centre working with disadvantaged families and focusing particularly on the youth. I ran their Breakfast Clubs, Homework Clubs and Youth Cafes along with helping out with planning and office work during the day.  As a year 3 student I have been given the opportunity to do my placement abroad. I chose to carry out my placement in Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Boston because I have focused a lot on youth work in the past and thought this was a great opportunity to work with another age group as well as experience working with another culture. In the time that I will be working with Little Brothers I hope to achieve a greater understanding of the organization as well as creating a curriculum for new volunteers coming to work with the organization. The curriculum will reassure new volunteers and make the first 2 weeks less daunting for them. In the three months I am here I am looking forward to learning from both my co-workers and the elders throughout Boston. (pictured on the right)