“In case of emergency, secure your own air mask before helping a child sitting next to you.” These are the instructions that flight attendants give to passengers on an airplane. It makes sense right? You can’t help someone else if you don’t take care of yourself first.
Here at DAP the work is both gratifying and saddening. Daily, DAP therapists and advocates are emotionally present to their clients stories of confusion and pain. Daily, DAP therapist and advocates are also privy to the personal enlightenment of a man, woman or child whose face has brightened when for the first time they realize their future does not have to be like their past. But this kind of work takes an emotional and physical toll on my staff and I’ve worked tirelessly for the past 25 years to nurture a work culture that honors their efforts and at the same time allows for my staff to take care of themselves and their own families.
As the Executive Director of DAP, I invite you to be part of this culture of self care and work with me to create ways to care for the DAP caregivers. My budget is tight, our funding dollars go directly to DAP clients for the most part. A special fund? Chair massages once a month? All ideas are welcome.
Please contact me directly at 612.74.7063 x207 or carthur@mndap.org to share your thoughts or to get involved. Your caring for the caregivers will benefit families experiencing domestic abuse by allowing their caregivers to recharge.
Thank you!
Carol Arthur
Executive Director