John Morrison: YES Intern
John Morrison may not be your typical college intern, but what he may lack in youth, he more than makes up for in experience.
After 32 years working in corrections – starting as a corrections officer and retiring as a watch commander – John knew he still had a lot to do and a lot to give.
With this in mind – and because he always intended to finish college – John enrolled in the University of Nebraska Omaha Grace Abbott School of Social Work.
More than three months ago, he started an internship at Youth Emergency Services (YES), and he graduates in December.
Suffice it to say, the past few months helping YES in a variety of ways – SharePoint organization and cleanup; helping youth move into YES housing; teaching youth to put together furniture, etc. – has been a rewarding experience for him.
“After I retired, I thought about getting into banking or finance, but when I took a few classes, I quickly learned I didn’t like the idea of what I had to do to be successful,” said John, 52, who started in pre-med classes at Creighton University out of high school before starting in corrections at age 19.
“So instead, I took classes in social work and decided to put my time and energy toward changing the criminal justice system. I saw first-hand the way corrections treats people, and I want to be part of the solution to change that.”
And his impact within the organization hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that without John’s help, it would have been a struggle to open (the new) shelter and transition to our new TLP houses,” said Quality Improvement Manager Will Meinen, who oversaw John’s internship.
“John has carried furniture, assembled beds, pulled vines off a house, hauled desks and painted. On the client side, he has participated in groups, mentored youth and helped move clients into dorm rooms after leaving housing.”
As the Watch Commander for Douglas County Corrections, John was in charge of more than 1,500 people on a daily basis.
He equates some of the work he did with inmates to social work and his interactions with YES youth.
“You can be an inmate simply because you make bad choices; that doesn’t make all of them bad people,” he said. “The same goes for youth at YES. Some were dealt bad hands by life, and some just made bad choices. I like knowing I can help them in some way.”
As a senior nearing completion of his bachelor’s degree, John knew he needed an internship to finish.
When he inquired about opportunities, Dr. Jodi Mcquillen, who John’s wife worked with, encouraged him to apply at YES as she knew John wanted to focus on the macro – or top level – processes at an organization.
He said he’s thoroughly enjoyed his experience, and leaves YES this week having learned something about his field as well as himself in the process.
“I’ve enjoyed this internship because I was encouraged to help out in so many different ways and in so many different areas (at YES)," said John, who completed his internship in early September. “Everything I’ve done has been hands-on, and what I’ve enjoyed the most is interacting with the youth.
“I believe I’ve learned as much from them as I’ve had the pleasure to teach them.”
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