The Importance of Accompaniment

By Leslie D. Offsite Accompaniment is one of the various services which Taller de Jose offers. Accompaniment can be described differently by each client that Compañeras interact with. It might mean accompanying someone, due to language barriers.  It can also mean accompanying for moral support. Each client we accompany and give our time to sees…

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I Surrender

By Bianca “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7, NIV These verses have not held more truth to me than…

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Rest for the Weary

By Sarah “Sarah, your 10am appointment is here.” Downstairs in the waiting room I met Sandra*, a new client to Taller de José, and likewise one of my first intakes as a new compañera. Bundled in her arms (with tiny feet covered by too-big pink socks peeking out of the blanket) was her sleeping baby,…

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The Missing Piece

By: Damaris This summer has been full of lifelong learning experiences. Working at Taller de José I gained a lot of insight on the issues that our clients go through on a daily basis. I learned that the same issue can affect people differently. I was able to accompany different individuals to the same court…

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The Long View

By: Adam “It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.” So read the opening lines of Bishop Ken Untener’s famous prayer, “A Step along the Way.” When I first read these words as part of my…

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Closing Cases

By: Alec As I wrap up my Jesuit Volunteer year of service at Taller de José, it is natural for me to reflect on gaining a sense of closure to my experience. Working as a compañero and living in an intentional community with four other volunteers defied and upended my initial expectations of what this…

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A New Path

By: Brenda Transitioning from being the office manager to a compañera has been an interesting experience. I think that deep down inside I was meant to be a compañera. Before I was even considered for the position, a woman named Camila* came to the office. Camila is an elderly woman who I remember had previously…

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A Different Perspective

  Working at Taller de José I have met wonderful people and have seen a variety of cases. In my previous work life, I worked alongside DCFS and many children. Working there I unintentionally viewed the foster parents as the heroes who save these children. As I have continued my social work education and have…

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