By Stephen C. Schultz
The breeze was cool and the sun was warm on my face. An
occasional droplet of water and the swirling of mist created the illusion of
sparkles floating through the air. The grass was green and so were the trees,
even though autumn was fully entrenched. You see, I was sitting amongst some
high desert pine trees and juniper bushes at Discovery Ranch for Girls.
I looked up and noticed Andrea Burgess walking towards me.
Andrea is the Executive Director of DRG and has a long history of working in
the mental health field.
As she got closer, I smiled and said; “Hey dove…how ya
doing?”
The term Dove is an aspect of her Earth Name she received
during the decade she was the Executive Director of RedCliff Ascent. A few years ago, she
made the transition to DRG.
She simply responded; “Hey Schultzie!”
We exchanged some pleasantries and spoke about how things
were going at DRG. She mentioned they were preparing for the next Parent
Seminar and how they were expecting a good turnout. The parent seminar is when
the parents come into town from around the country to spend time with their
daughters, attend workshop presentations, parent teacher conferences and
participate in experiential activities with the staff and students.
I asked how the non-profit organization she co-founded with
Staci Bradley was doing. This particular organization, Evolving Women, was specifically
established to recognize the contribution and leadership of women in the teen
treatment industry.
She mentioned it was going great and the membership is
consistently growing. In fact, she said there is a fundraiser activity at the
next IECA conference being held in New Orleans that will benefit Liberty’s Kitchen!
I wrapped up my visit to DRG that day. It’s been about three
or four days since my time there. Just today, I received a text from Andrea
letting me know she had a 1970’s style Wig I can use at the conference
fundraiser! That is a very scary image…an image that no one should have to be
subjected to!
I’ve been thinking today about this particular cause. What a
great opportunity for collaboration, networking, service and friendships to be
fostered! What a great way to bring people together, have fun and share in a
community who’s foundation is the development of personal character and the
demonstration of a collective competence.
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