Lisa Brown experienced a lot of changes towards the end of 2015. The charitable nature of her life meant that those new opportunities did not just affect her, but the people in her home and community. Lisa turned a passion for helping children into her career.
Michigan City has been Lisa’s home since she was a child. What is it about this community that makes its members so proud?
“The people [themselves], the spirit, and the friendships. When asked about the downsides of her city, Lisa cannot think of single one. The local city council has been working hard to improve the town and rebrand its image. “The art district is beginning to bloom here,” Lisa noted.
Lisa herself plays a couple different roles in making Michigan City a great place to live. Her job as Area Representative at Discoveries Academic Student Homestay allows her to provide assistance to students new to the country. Lisa is also a substitute teacher at a local Montessori school.
DASH provides exchange student programs to many different countries. Most of the students come from high schools but some are previous students who elected to stay in the States for college courses as well. DASH’s job is to support the student through guidance. If there is a problem, DASH will help them figure out a solution or advise them of resources they did not know they had. DASH also makes sure the kids are sticking to the strict code of rules and guidelines each must follow to stay in the exchange program.
Lisa became involved with DASH by accident. She knew of a student, Candice, who due to extenuating circumstances was going to lose her host family. Lisa and her husband decided to take the girl in. Through DASH, they submitted to a background check, provided family references, and had a home study done. Their application was accepted and they became Candice’s new host family.
“So far we have been having a positive experience,” said Lisa. “It’s fun to learn about her culture, and seeing her excitement when she tries new things.” Candice is a junior level high school student from China. She is already planning to come back and stay with the Brown’s another year.
The family has also had an exchange student from Germany, Teresa. Both girls have gotten Lisa involved more with the community since volunteering is something the DASH program requires of its students.
One of the girls volunteered at Reins of Life, a program that pairs therapy horses with physically or mentally disabled participants. Instead of waiting for Teresa to finish her time there, Lisa stayed to volunteer too.
“I fell into, and enjoy, working with people with special needs,” Lisa said.
The horses help participants build a confidence that affects all aspects of their lives. The gait of the horse simulates walking for those who otherwise could not.
“You see them improve week to week and the smiles on their faces. It’s priceless,” said Lisa.
DASH was impressed with Lisa Brown and her family so they offered a position working for them. She started just months ago. She will be looking for host families for students coming in the fall of 2016 and encourages other people to get involved.
Lisa Brown’s part time work with the Montessori schools is another great way she influences the youth of our community. She took courses through Edison Lake Montessori Academy in order to teach using their unique philosophies.
“The children have more hands on experience [than at traditional schools]. They can explore. If I had learned this way, I would have struggled less.”
The students have group time for certain lessons, like science, but, for the most part, are given options as far as what they want to learn and do. They are taught respect for each other and themselves.
Lisa also teaches art classes for a friend, another project of hers that helps people with special needs. Every aspect of her life reaches out to assist another human being. Lisa’s goals include working on her colored pencil drawings and volunteering more often- goals that should be an inspiration to us all.