What I Did
For my Edge project, I completed an unpaid internship at Waterfall Canyon Academy (WCA) located in Ogden, Utah. WCA is a community based therapeutic program that helps troubled teens and young adults bat back on track for a successful and independent life. Clients at WCA have struggles with anything from high functioning autism to BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). I came in contact with some of this company’s program coordinators over the summer after a friend told me about the company and how it would be a good fit for what I want to go into. The girls program director was more than happy to meet with me and figure out a time over during winter break for me to come volunteer and get the hands-on experience that I was looking for. After discussing what I was interested in with, we decided I would be working as an adviser at one of their group homes that houses 6 female clients, ages 18-21. There was several tasks and activities that I completed while working. I attended processing/group therapy with the clients, transported them to work and school, handed out medication, helped them with daily living tasks (cleaning, cooking, exercising, etc.) and was a positive staff member that helped them improve with whatever they needed to work on. The program director (Karen Nickel) also showed me the many different positions and employees that it takes to run a fun and successful business/work environment.