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.

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.

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. 

Album 1

Traveling to Africa

Album 2

Visit to University of the Western Cape

Album 3

Agency Visits and Groot Constantia Wine Estate

Album 4

Parliament, Department of Social Development and Market

Album 5

Desmond Tutu and Agency Visits

Album 6

District Six Museum, Waterfront and Robben Island

Album 7

Volunteering at the Ark City of Refuge

Album 8

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.

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 5^th marked the 1^st 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.

Catching Up.

Greetings, friends & family.

This post has been long overdue. Right now I'm just focusing on catching up and explaining my lack of posts so I can get back into writing more. Here goes.

Sadly, my older sister Daria passed away in February. She was a major reason why I came up here and one of my biggest champions. Thanks to everyone for reaching out to my family.

As for the rest of the semester, though difficult, I made it through (with an A average)! Here's what I've been up to:

I saw Michelle Obama! For real, y'all. The First Lady paid a visit to campus to speak about international studies and encourage students to take advantage of study abroad programs.

my ticket to see FLOTUS!

not the best pic (i have an older blackberry), but she's there on stage somewhere.

another not so great pic, but still proof that i was there!

 

Lately I've been reading Toni Morrison's Paradise.

My book in grassy area near White House.

There's always something to see/do in this city. Seems like just taking a walk is an adventure.

had an internship near national mall area. washington monument in the background.

mm mm. jamaican veggie plate!

program honoring African American Civil War Veterans at memorial on Vermont Ave. and U Street.

Performers at African American Civil War Memorial

The White House!

The White House Garden!

I FINALLY saw Talib Kweli in concert.

I turned 28. Mama got me a nice card:

 Turns out I love basketball games!

Had a bit of snow this winter. It wasn't really pretty, just gross!

That's all I got for now. No school or work for the rest of the summer. Going to spend time with family and getting to know DC more. Catch ya later.

I'm here!

Happy New Year.

It's official, y'all.  I'm actually at Howard in DC.  Woo!

Moving process went well.  I like the apartment and my roommate. All set to go.

Check out my student ID and metro cards:

The weather isn't the worst, but it's not the best either.  I don't like how gray it's been, so I'm hoping for a little more sun soon.

Really looking forward to building a career in  advocacy work.  Headed to a Getting Your Point Across: A Symposium on Effective Messaging, Policy, and Advocacy sponsored by WIN tomorrow.  The keynote speaker is Jessica Arons, Director of Women's Health and Rights at the Center for American Progress.  I'm pretty excited. (Again, woo!)

OK.  So that's it. I'm here. Stay tuned.