The beautiful summer that is 2021 and working at the Bridge:

I have just finished my sixth summer at the Bridge of Storm Lake!! I have already mentioned this a few times throughout my last few blogs, but now I want to include my overall reflection from the summer.  This summer, I learned more and more about how to be a leader.  This was my second summer in the role of summer coordinator.  However, last summer I was hardly ever in charge of both the kids and the team, but this summer I was in charge of the 10 team members as well as usually 60 kids that came to our programs regularly.  That being said, I was in charge of roughly 70-80 people on a daily basis.  I am so very happy that I have been given the chance to grow the relationships that I have with the kids for the sixth summer in a row.  I know that a lot of them trust me a lot more now as well as see me as a mentor figure.  I have learned so much from them.  I have seen how well they take care of each other, especially brothers and sisters, and I know that I need to take care of the people in my life in a similar way.  I have seen them have so much joy to play outside and to run around, and I know that this is something that I need to continue to have in the future.  I need to remember that joy over the little things just like they do.   

I had two quotes that I looked at this summer for inspiration.  The first one was “a person who feels appreciated will always do more than expected.” I learned that in order to be a leader, you need to be willing to encourage the members on your team.  Those who are under you will be willing to work harder and do more tasks for you when you make sure they feel appreciated and loved for their job.  I tried my best to give love, support, and kindness to my workers, so they would know that I enjoyed having them there.  I had the opportunity to have young adults getting ready to grow into their leadership roles.  I am so hoping the Bridge overall gave them a lot more skills that they can take away in the future, no matter what they do.  

The second quote I looked at was, “Never say ‘That’s not my job.’ That oozes arrogance and laziness.  Chip in to help with what needs to be done, even if it’s not your responsibility.  Do what needs to be done or help someone find the solution. Even when nobody’s watching.”  I wrote a whole blog post about this called, “Leaders do the Dishes.”  But to summarize what I wrote in that blog, it is important that my team saw me set the expectation by actions so they know what they should also be doing.  Even though I was a “boss figure,”  I am not too important that I can’t do the tasks that I ask of them as well.  I do want to take this time to shout out to my wonderful summer team members.  Caitlyn, Alondra, Brady, Nathan, Isaac, Joshua, and Gracelin, thank you for working so hard and growing so much in your leadership.  I see so much great potential in you all.  I know that whatever you all choose to pursue, you will be great.  I am so happy that you all chose to spend the summer with us.  I hope that you think about coming back sometime, either for another working summer or at least to volunteer for a while.  

If I had to pick my favorite memory from this summer, it would have to be when we took a group of middle schoolers and a few elementary schoolers on a bike ride.  I absolutely love biking which is the reason why I enjoyed this event so much.  The kids who don’t often get the chance to bike had the opportunity to see and feel the enjoyment I so often do while biking.  Then on top of all of that we were able to give a few bikes away, and so I have been able to see those same kids biking throughout town.  They are becoming our independent middle schoolers who now have the ability to see and do more on their own.  We are helping empower those young people, and that is something that I am so blessed to be a part of.

I couldn’t have made it through without the wonderful crew that was around me.  To Jay and Shelly, thank you for being my leaders.  Thank you for being the best bosses and people that I can look to for advice and support.  Shelly, your compassion and gentleness is something that there needs to be more of in the world.  Jay, there are not many who can think of the ideas and creating of the opportunities for the youth like you can.  I am so glad that you developed the Bridge 11 years ago.  To Shaniese, Aimee, and Izzie, my summer queens, my best friends, and the best support that I could ever pray for, thank you for being you.  Thank you for being the people I could go to with any of my personal problems or my exciting news.  You three are some of the best people I have ever met and it is wonderful to see your love for the Bridge and the job that you have.  All of your passions, strength, and love for others is something that inspires me more and more every time I come back to see you and work with you. 

All in all, summer of 2021 was a summer I will not be forgetting any time soon.  I have felt so loved there, and I hope that I was able to give some of that same love back.  Until next time Storm Lake!