Laura Pezold (Class of 2020) Alumna – A Woman Working for and with Others
Laura Pezold (Class of 2020) Alumna – A Woman Working for and with Others
Service to others is a major theme in Alumna Laura Pezold’s life – in this Alumni Section, a faculty member, Dr. Mary Haskins, highlights how Laura’s service at RU led to her to a new career helping others.
How Did Service Play a Part in Laura’s Rockhurst Life?
Laura graduated from RU in 2020 with dual degrees in Spanish and Communications Sciences and Disorders. While at Rockhurst she exemplified service to others by completing over 300 service hours and, in 2018, participating in the Solidarity Service trip to the Dominican Republic. Her Spanish fluency and leadership skills were further enhanced during the summer of 2019 when she spent 10 weeks managing short-term volunteer groups at the San Lucas Mission, Guatemala.
Upon Graduation Laura followed her Service Dream . . .
Yearning for an extended service project that would allow her to focus on the joys of living a simple life centered on relationships and experiences, Laura applied to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). After interviewing with JVC she was matched to her first choice - a program in Houston, Texas, that focused on case management and rental assistance. Upon arrival in Houston, Laura’s resiliency was tested when Covid required a sudden change in assignment to working at Cristo Rey High School, Houston, TX, where she was responsible for both teaching Microsoft Excel on Zoom and engaging with corporations that financially supported the school.
When describing how the JVC program impacted her, Laura effused a long list of both professional and personal impacts. She credits the experience in providing her with “a deeper understanding of teamwork, accountability, multitasking, deadlines, professional norms, communication, and the art of compromise." For anyone considering a gap year focused on service, Laura reflected: “I loved my year of service in Houston and, without doubt, it has enabled me to become a better volunteer, a better employee, and a better friend.”
Service Work Leading to Career Options:
Following her service year with JVC, Laura returned to the city she loves to accept a job as Case Manager at the non-profit organization Journey to New Life, Inc. (JNTL), located at 3120 Troost, Kansas City, MO. JTNL’s mission is primarily one of transition; it seeks to help those recently released from incarceration find their path back into society. More specifically, JTNL provides assistance to parolees with housing, employment, education, finances, and family reunification. Laura commented: “In KC the non-profit network is very extensive and I am frequently on the phone with other agencies as we work to provide a cohesive client experience.” Laura’s presence at JTNL provides another Rockhurst connection for women who have been in the Chillicothe Correctional Center and who have either attended, or been aware of, Rockhurst’s educational outreach program in the prison.
Laura finds her current job both challenging and immensely rewarding. Finding safe and suitable housing for JTNL clients is a crucial step in their societal integration and Laura spends most of her time on this important aspect of integration. After several months in her position, she has a deeper understanding of “affordable housing” and she has developed a keen awareness of the language society tends to use when referencing parolees, as well as typical societal assumptions and expectations about her clients. She can now clearly articulate how the complexity of societal integration contributes to high rates of chronic homelessness in parolee populations. Laura has a passion for helping her clients build a new and brighter future and feels a responsibility toward them as she did with her Cristo Rey students. She has experienced the immense gratitude of those who have been served by JTNL, e.g., former clients who bring them lunch and/or volunteer to help others who are entering JTNL. Laura stated: “Every day my clients show up with so much resilience and motivation— even with the justice system continuously working against them. I love that I get to work alongside my clients to empower them. Each day is a completely different day with new challenges, but my clients are always ready to tackle these challenges head on!” Laura added that JTNL is always in need of volunteers and those interested is serving individuals who are rebuilding their lives after incarceration should contact Marcella at MLee@jtnl.org .