"Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along." ~Hugh Allen

My name is Stacia Meerman, and I am a first year AmeriCorps member serving at Every Woman’s Place and Webster House Youth Services located in Muskegon Michigan. I have been serving at Every Woman’s Place and Webster House for about five months now. Every Woman’s Place is an organization that helps women, men, and families that have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault situations. Webster House Youth Services helps youth that are at risk of running away, homelessness, foster care, and youth that are involved in the court system.

My service position at Every Woman’s Place has given me the opportunity to wear many different hats; including working with the Transitional Supportive Housing Program, organizing the Youth Advisory Board, and assisting with Walk in Services. Taking part in different roles at this agency has given me the opportunity to gain more experience in my field and has encouraged me to further my education and hopefully receive my Masters degree in Social Work.

The Transitional Supportive Housing Program is a program for women with children who have left their abusive partners and need assistance with housing. There are many supportive services such as, financial assistance, transportation, family activities, housing advocacy and support groups. The women participating in this program are graduating out which is both very exciting for the survivors and the people who have been apart of their battles. Currently there are five active women in this program. With this being said, it has given me more time to participate in other aspects of the agency.

Some of the different activities I have been participating in are: domestic violence groups, Youth Advisory Board, Girls on the Run, and Cheers for Chocolate Event. The domestic violence groups are one of my favorite activities to participate in. It is a six week group for women that are referred by DHS/CPS/or self referral. Women in these groups are so strong and really provide a good support system for one another. Some women share their stories and some prefer just to listen. This is a very motivational part of each woman’s battle because it not only gives them information about abuse, it also gives them strength knowing that someone else left their abuser and they can do it as well!

One of my favorite posters reads: “If you want to be happy for 30 minutes, watch TV. If you want to be happy for 2 hours, go to a movie. If you want to be happy for life, learn to help others.” My service at Every Woman’s Place helping others has helped me shape the foundation of what I now consider important in life. I have found a new passion in working with survivors to become independent and hope to work with more survivors in the future.