My Internship Experience at New Beginnings

​My name is Leah and I have had the pleasure of being the Resident Support Staff Intern at New Beginnings since January.  Interning at New Beginnings has been one of the most inspiring things that I have had the opportunity to do.  Of all the things that I have learned during my months here, one lesson that stood out to me is that God has the ability to use other people to influence us and change our lives for the better.  

​​The people in our lives are not random; He places them here for a reason. Each person has the opportunity to teach us something about life.  Everyone has different qualities and characteristics that can help to give others a new perspective on life that they had never had before.  From one person you may learn kindness, another the power of prayer, and yet another time management.  Even in situations where the people we cross in life are not to be imitated, they teach us how we do not want to become.  

​The residents at New Beginnings are influenced by mentors that appear in the staff, teachers, volunteers, and many others who are able to help them learn how they can reach their full potential.  All of these people are working together in their lives so that the residents can be successful and reach the goals the program sets for them, along with reaching their personal goals.  Each person is dedicating their time and energy in order to make the journeys of the residents as smooth as possible.  

​When I started at New Beginnings my goal was to really be able to say that I inspired the residents in a way that led to a perceivable change, but recently I realized that they were having the same effect on me.  Some people might think that the residents are the only ones who are benefitting from New Beginnings, but I know that that is not true. In fact, the staff at New Beginnings is touched by the residents in different but equal ways.  Whether residents ask thought-provoking questions during devotions, display great diligence in achieving their goals, or persevere through their obstacles, they have the ability to inspire me and the rest of the staff members every day.  There are so many instances and circumstances where both staff and residents are able to see that God has plans for New Beginnings, and that his will is being done here. God has blessed me through everyone at New Beginnings, and this experience has allowed me to really appreciate New Beginnings and everyone who is involved in the organization. 

Leah Whitson is a junior Human Social Services major at Wisconsin Lutheran College, and the Resident Support Intern here at New Beginnings.   After college she plans to pursue a Master's in Social Work, and one day she hopes to use her experience at New Beginnings as a good foundation .   During her free time Leah likes to travel, play with her dogs, and spend time with her fiancé.