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Sr. Damien Ciminera, MSC and Sr. Regina Peterson, MSC
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 Sister Damien reflects that “having worked in the Downstate group home program of St. Cabrini Home for many years, and now, making the move to the campus program has been a big change for me. In the time since I moved to West Park to work, I’ve learned a lot and made some real progress with getting to know our girls. The work is paying off as I’ve begun to build trusted relationships with them. Since many of our young girls have suffered losses in their lives, I was asked to start work on a six week bereavement program. The losses that some of our girls have experienced are incredible. I believe bereavement therapy is very important to their long term mental health.”
Sr. Damien also assists in fundraising through donor outreach with phone calls and letters, personally expressing her thanks to St. Cabrini Home donors for their support. “I see my job as not only offering support to our girls, but cheering everyone’s spirits, being a staff motivator, a donor motivator, and sharing God’s unconditional love for each and every one. I was recently asked to be on the Executive Council to help in problem solving and to develop better programs for our kids. I look forward to continuing to offer my opinion and viewpoint on what would make St. Cabrini Home a better human service agency,” offers Sr. Damien with pride and conviction. For Sr. Regina, much continues as usual. Her work with the teenagers means providing a safe space where they can explore their inner world and their creativity through psychodrama, and creative arts therapy. They likewise explore ways to express their frustration with life and with their own limitations, and learn boundaries in an environment that offers support instead of reprimand, and provides alternatives instead of brick walls. Being with these young ladies brings a profound joy. “Often a new girl will ask if I miss having children of my own. Before I can answer, the others respond ‘we're her kids’ and I smile with delight. My girls have known enough negativity and hardship in their young lives ... my prayer is that God can love these girls through me, and that I don't stand in God's way.” Sr. Regina continues, “on the other hand, we share a mutual frustration: there aren't enough hours in the day. They would wish to spend more time in the relative peacefulness of the art studio and although I would love them to enjoy that luxury, their schedules are already pretty full with school, groups, and other activities. Then again, I too, need the extra time for preparation so that I can be present to them when they are with me! " |
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