Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winter Break

It’s been a long semester and a while since the last updates.  Here’s what’s been going on with me:
 
School

After lots of hard work (and a fair amount of whining), I got through the semester with all A’s! 


I applied and interviewed for Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break Program and am happy to announce that I will be a team leader for the Memphis, TN site!

My internship at Washington Hospital Center Transplant Services has been wonderful so far! I’m learning more than I could have imagined. I definitely believe that medical/healthcare social work is for me. I’m looking forward to spending my fall semester at the hospital as well.

Front Line Leaders Academy

My time with the 2012 class of the Front Line Leaders Academy is almost up! I’m confident that the program has prepared me to run someday. Fellows are now working on our graduation projects. One component of the project requires that I show off my fundraising skills.

If you’d like to help me and other younger, nontraditional candidates in building a progressive future please visit my FLLA page to find out how: http://kiagoestowashington.blogspot.com/p/flla.html Whether you give five dollars or fifty dollars, every little bit counts.

Christmas With Mickey!

I’ll be spending time with family in Florida for Christmas. I’m so excited our plans for Disney World. I hope to see my favorite Disney Princess, Cinderella! I'll be sure to share photos.



Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Gratitude 06.09 and 06.10.2012

Last two days:

June 10th


Robert Taylor's friendship - He joined me for lunch and prayed to my "purple fairy" when we blessed the meal. He's just awesome. 

Sense of humor - Laughing is a lot of fun. 

Opportunities to travel - I thought about this today as I wore my earrings from South Africa and purse from Costa Rica. O like collecting gems from all over. 

Summer heat - it is scorhing out there, but I like it. Makes me feel a live. This weather is also a good reason for frozen treats (I had two Slurpees today)! 

Sunday  mornings - the best way to end and begin a week. I always feel restored on Sundays. I certainly needed that today.



June 9th

My health - I'm grateful to be alive. I'm not perfect, but I'm still here. 

Peace and quiet - I've had a lot of it lately. A bit unnerving at first, but now I'm getting used to hanging out by myself. It's not so bad. 

Fellowship -  Genuine, compassionate, nonjudgmental connection is key. It's all will accept and offer from now on.

Tobey - For teaching me what fellowship means.

DC - One of the greatest cities ever. One life-changing experience after the other.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Gratitude 06.08.2012

  1. The chance to right my wrongs - Second chances aren't always granted. Learning to use them wisely when I get them.
  2. The gift & magic of David Bowie - How could I not be forever grateful for the music of the Thin White Duke aka Ziggy Stardust?
  3. All the free/cheap attractions in DC - One can be entertained at little to no cost in the District.
  4. Today's lessons - So many. The most important being love myself more.
  5. Having a creative and curious spirit - I'd be awfully boring and bored otherwise.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Gratitude 06.07.2012

A friend suggested I keep a gratitude list (à la Oprah). Here goes.

My first list:
    Mama who loves me - I'll always and forever be grateful for her.

    Time with friends this summer - I'm blessed to know so many good people.

    Seeing another day - Self explanatory, no?

    The strength to press forward -Without it I'd be stuck in some not-so-positive spots.

    The reality of a power greater than myself - "reality" should probably read "realization". Took me a long while to get to this point. Still exploring because I believe there's something for me to find.

    Monday, May 28, 2012

    South Africa Photos, finally!

    And now what you’ve been waiting for: South Africa pics!  Click on the links below to view photo albums of my trip to Cape Town. 

    Traveling to Africa







    Visit to University of the Western Cape








    Agency Visits and Groot Constantia Wine Estate





    Parliament, Department of Social Development and Market










    Desmond Tutu and Agency Visits








    District Six Museum, Waterfront and Robben Island







    Volunteering at the Ark City of Refuge










    Our last days in Africa. Farewell Dinner









    Hope you enjoy. Videos to be posted soon.

    May Updates


    Happy Memorial Day, y’all!  Things are still terrific here in DC. Looks like it's going to be a great summer.

    I updated this blog a bit. My contact information and career profile are now located on the “About Me” page.

    FLLA’s first meeting was held in Detroit, MI. We met with young elected officials and political communications expert Joel Silberman to boost our political leadership and communication skills. Who knew one could grow and learn so much over a weekend? Here’s this year’s class of fellows. The future looks good, huh?!


    The school year has ended and I’m looking forward to the final stage of Howard's MSW program. Sadly, my internship at Community of Hope’s Marie Reed Health Center has also ended. The good news is that I continue to volunteer there and starting this July, I’ll be working there as a part-time Clinical Case Manager! You all may be tired of my raving about Community of Hope, but oh well. It really is a great organization. I’m happy that I can continue to be involved with such a great place.

    Speaking of Community of Hope, I recently attended a volunteer appreciation event where I was awarded a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for my work as Marie Reed Health Center's Clinical MSW Intern! Check me out:

    Lapel Pin and Program


    Program
    Letter from President Obama!
    Certificate

    I start interning at Washington Hospital Center next school year. Looking forward to working in the Kidney Transplant Department and learning more about transplant social work.

    Thursday, February 9, 2012

    So much to talk about...

    Hey there. Long time no blog! I’m back.

    First, happy New Year (and all the other holidays/celebrations/etc. I missed)!

    And now for the update:

    Yoga: I love it! I’ve been “practicing” for a bit over a month now and it’s great. A rockin’ hobby for anyone looking to get some Zen.

    FLLA: I was recently selected to be a fellow for the 2012 class of the Front Line Leaders Academy (FLLA). FLLA is a premier campaign leadership development program offered every year by the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network and Young People For (YP4) to 20 talented young people from across the country. FLLA provides prospective candidates and campaign leaders the ability to learn from successful political campaign professionals. Check out my bio and more about the program here: http://www.youngpeoplefor.org/flla2012

    I’m going to South Africa! I was chosen along with 22 other students to attend the Howard University School of Social Work Alternative Spring Break/Service Learning trip to Cape Town, South Africa! That’s right; I’ll be spending 9 days in Africa this March. I’m working on my research topic now. Haven’t decided yet, but it may be something around health services for patients experiencing HIV/AIDS-related stigma. I’m so so so so so so so so sooooo psyched!

    South Africa Trip Students & Faculty
    Wade Edwards Learning Lab: An organization near and extremely dear to heart wrote up a “Where Are They Now“piece about me in the 2011 newsletter. You can access the newsletter here: http://www.wade.org/documents/WELLnewsletter2011.pdf

    Internship: I’m still having a blast at my internship at Community of Hope’s Marie Reed Health Center. I will start assisting with a women’s trauma recovery and Empowerment group soon. I’ve also been added as the behavioral health representative to the Language Access Working Group to help evaluate our services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).

    I was featured in the “volunteer spotlight” in the September 2011 edition of the Community of Hope Volunteer Newsletter. Here’s the write-up:
    Name:  Dakia "Kia" Davis
    Title:  Clinical MSW Intern
    School: Howard University
    Age: 28
    Favorite Book:  A Mercy by Toni Morrison
    Favorite Movie: The Color Purple
    Favorite Volunteer Moment: Recently a woman stopped me in the hallway at Health Services asking for help with an intake form. Since I've been doing macro and policy work over the summer, I don't always get to interact with patients. It was nice to be able to put a face to the work I'm doing. It reminded me why the administrative work at the clinic is so important.
    Favorite quote: "And I do believe that I’m gonna prosper...‘cause I’m walking with the prayers of my mother." - India.Arie

    When I first entered the Howard University School of Social Work (HUSSW) Master of Social Work (MSW) program, I quickly decided on the healthcare setting field of practice. My goal is to become a medical social worker so that I can assist patients in navigating the health care system and gaining access to important health services and education.

    Over the summer I volunteered at the clinic researching medical insurance billing processes for mental health services.

    This fall semester brings about a new role for me: Clinical MSW Intern. I look forward to performing clinical case management, intake assessments, care plans and health education services under the supervision of Valerie Lanham, LICSW. I am especially excited about leading psycho-therapy groups with Valerie and other COH staff.
    That’s all the major stuff that’s happened. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

    Second Year Internship: There’s a chance I’ll be at Washington Hospital Center for my second year social work field placement. I’m really interested in this hospital and learning more about medical social, so let’s keep our fingers crossed!

    Dr. Davis: I’m exploring PhD options in the social work and public health fields. I recently met with faculty in the public health department at UNCG. I’m excited to someday start training and work as a medical and or public health social worker. No worries, I plan to take a (short) break before starting any programs!

    Research: I’m working to expand my research in the field of HIV/AIDS. I’m looking at stigma as a barrier to health-seeking behavior among HIV/AIDS patients. This was inspired by work at my internship and through assignments in my Human Behavior in the Social Environment II course. Dr. Husain, my professor for the class, is working with me to develop a paper for publishing/presentation.

    Birthday: I’m turning 29 this Saturday!

    In Daria’s Memory: February 5th marked the 1st anniversary of Daria’s passing. My family will be hosting an Easter dinner and egg hunt for about 40 kids and their families in Raleigh, NC this year. Easter was Daria’s favorite holiday and we thought this would be a fun way to honor her and her dedication to serving others.

    So, that’s pretty much it. More to come next month after my South Africa Adventures.