Every one of us has been disappointed by life at one time or another. Yet we often find that by remaining open to the movements of the Spirit, we discover paths to purpose that we never expected. A psychology student and senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Greta Carlson was on track to work with kids with autism after graduation when an expected job opportunity fell through. That disappointment forced her to find something different.
“I just looked for whatever I could find,” she said, “I ended up working in a substance use rehabilitation facility in Lincoln and fell in love with it.”
That experience—and an earlier one—inspired the student from Overland Park, Kansas, to embark on an entirely new career path: social work. She was also inspired by the loss of her older brother six years ago.
“Working in the rehab facility shifted my focus entirely,” she said. “It was a pretty big change – going from working with kids with autism to working with adults with substance use disorders. Resource accessibility and mental health management are passions of mine, and that really shaped why I chose this field.”
Greta moved with her boyfriend to Junction City (he’s stationed at Fort Riley) and applied for the Master of Social Work program at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She’s in the first month of her first year of a two-year track. Fortunately, Saint Francis Ministries has an office in Junction City, so she’s now performing her practicum there. She also likes that Saint Francis is faith-based and has Episcopal roots.
Greta and her parents, Bob and Melissa, have been members of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Mission, Kansas, since they moved to Overland Park in 2001. It’s their spiritual home and a place where they feel rooted. Greta participated in youth ministry events from the third grade through high school. Last summer, she served as a Youth Ministries intern with The Reverend Karen Schlabach, planning and coordinating those same events.
“Faith is important to me,” said Greta. “Like most young people, I strayed from the church a little when I gained some independence, but I’ve always come back to it. It’s a grounding zone where I know I can find community. Growing up in the Episcopal Church, I’ve always heard about Saint Francis, so I was excited to find a practicum with them in Junction City. I’m drawn to the morals and values of the Episcopal Church, and I knew that Saint Francis would exhibit those.”
One of the benefits of the KU program is that Greta’s practicum lasts 40 weeks rather than the standard 16-week semester. So, she’ll be working at Saint Francis for about a year.
“This first semester will involve lots of shadowing and training,” she said. “I won’t necessarily have a caseload like a social worker or case manager would, but I’ll have time with families where I can focus on my interest in substance use rehab within the child welfare system. I’ll also get to experience little bits of what it’s like to be a social worker – going to court, supervising visits with families, and other general things.”
Seeing their daughter work towards a career of service pleases her parents.
“My parents value education so much, and they’re so committed to volunteer work and social justice that they’re glad I’m connected with Saint Francis.”
by Shane Schneider, Saint Francis Ministries
835 SW Polk St.