SafeNet Erie
Title: Personalized Treasures: Fostering Creativity Through Material Goods
Student Interns:
Anna-Maria Marinescu
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Leah Labranche, PhD
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Traci Bletz
SafeNet Erie
Sandra Burlingame
SafeNet Erie
Community Site:
SafeNet is a program dedicated to aiding domestic violence survivors in the community through counseling services, emergency shelter, and legal assistance.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps intern held group counseling sessions where residents could create and decorate personal accessories, such as tote bags and journals, and keep the final product. This allowed survivors in the shelter to own something that is solely theirs, as well as build bonds with the staff and other survivors through a relaxing, creative outlet. The intern provided goody bags with dental supplies and a guide on “The Steps to Good Oral Hygiene” to current residents and made extras for future residents.
Reflections
My time at SafeNet has been extremely insightful and humbling. I was able to see the various challenges domestic violence survivors face and how multiple external factors can affect a person’s entire well-being. I aim to use the lessons I learned to establish trust with and guide my future patients to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Anna-Maria Marinescu
