Life beckons us to new adventures, and that has impacted the staff of ASTOP in recent months. Reasons for recent staff departures include moving out of town, becoming a new mother, and completing a master’s degree.
Enter Chasity Bolden, Sarah West, and Sydney Barrueta. What attracted these new employees to ASTOP? Besides appreciating the organization’s mission, all are impressed by the welcoming, supportive atmosphere they have experienced in their new workplace.
Chasity grew up in Chicago and came to Fond du Lac for college. She knew of ASTOP from her years at Marian University, where she attended various presentations by our staff. Her degree in social work and psychology provided an excellent foundation for her tasks here, as well as her additional part-time work for Solutions Center and an adolescent foster home.
She said, “When this job opportunity opened, I already knew this would be the kind of organization I would want to work for. I have worked with the domestic violence population, which unfortunately often goes hand in hand with sexual assault. I find helping and supporting others most rewarding. I have a passion for the happiness and well-being of others, so when I meet those who are hurting or in need, my natural reaction is to figure out ways to extend myself to help.”
Sydney also comes from a large extended family in the suburbs of Chicago. Her interest in this new position for ASTOP stems from “the efforts that were being put into helping the Hispanic/Latinx community. After meeting some of the staff, I knew I had to work here because everyone was so welcoming and supportive. Most challenging for me is when a client doesn’t follow up with services. Sometimes people aren’t ready to work through their experience,” she admitted. But her concern for their continued healing is obvious.
Sarah’s background has prepared her for her role as a client advocate. She says, “I provide support to clients by sitting with them (and educating them) during medical exams, having conversations about reported sexual assaults, accompanying them to law enforcement interviews, preparing them for court appearances, and offering emotional support during times of confusion or crisis.”
Educating victims of their rights is important for Sarah. She says the most challenging aspect of her role is instilling in each person the sense of being validated, seen and heard while “doing this without stepping on their own growth and journey in life.”
With such dedicated persons as Chasity, Sydney, and Sarah on-board, ASTOP’s future remains in good hands.