By: Dawn Thompson
I believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason – even if we do not see the whole picture at once or ever know what that reason is. 
This week, some things came together and made me realize that all the little things I have been doing over the years were not random, scattered ideas or, worst of all, useless, as I have sometimes thought.
About a year and a half ago I decided to join V.I.P.S. So, I took the Citizens Police Academy Course, even though I did not know what it was that I wanted to help with or what needed helping. In the meantime, I joined the Boston Medical Reserve Corps through MA Responds as part of my training as a Disaster Action Response Team (D.A.R.T.) member through Boston Cares. Although I enjoy helping statewide, I was hoping that something closer to home would fall together so I can do what I love right here in my own city!
Last week, I got a call from Sharon at LPD saying she had room in the Community Emergency Response Training (C.E.R.T.) class and thought of me! I told her I am taking the classes for Boston and they encourage us to take a C.E.R.T. in addition. The great part is that it’s only available to those who have already attended the citizen’s academy, which I already did, so yay!! Anyway, the funniest part was the letter I got tonight about an upcoming training in June for the position the MRC placed me in “Mental Health and Cultural Needs.” How odd is it that the two MAIN courses I studied in college are “Behavioral Management and Multicultural Diversity” Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe not. But I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be and for me, that’s a good place to be.
