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From beautician to community educator: Christina's brave new beginning
Find out how Christina Neuse is building a new community for families as a community educator in the Uckermark.
From beautician to community educator: Christina's brave new beginning
A new wind is blowing through the Schönfeld parish. Christina Neuse, a 36-year-old mother of two, has applied for the position of community educator and wants to break new ground. After completing part-time training as an educator, she is now ready to put her vision for the community into practice. Growing up in the church community, she feels deeply connected to the people and the former community leaders and sees herself as part of a community that wants to grow together.
Christina has gone through many stages in her professional life so far. Her career took her from beautician to working in a call center to individual case supervisor at the DRK. Through her training, which she put into practice at the Göritz daycare center, she was not only able to gain valuable experience, but also develop her passion for working with children and families. Her state-recognized educator diploma was the key to opening new professional doors.
Invitation to collaboration
After completing her training, she initially only found a part-time job at her home daycare center. The impetus to apply for the position of community educator came from an article in the newspaper that was looking for a successor to the vacant position. Christina is now planning to set up a toddler group and open the community centers for open afternoons. “I want people to feel at home here,” she says of her goals while distributing flyers with her offer in the community.
In addition, Christina sees responsibility for child, youth and family work as one of her main tasks. Her contract as a community educator began in October and she is already busy making new contacts to expand her network. Another important issue remains the vacant position of pastor, which is unfilled after Thomas Dietz's retirement, which is particularly concerning to the community.
Deacon training and perspectives
Christina's commitment is also a reflection of today's demands on community and social work. Educators like her benefit from in-depth training, which usually includes deacon training or a degree in community education. Institutions such as the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland offer a wide range of opportunities for this, ranging from practical training to theoretical training. Graduates not only receive state recognition, but also the basis for gaining a foothold in social work and shaping career steps in the church, which usually means acquiring a double qualification.
The Evangelical University of Darmstadt in particular, with its courses in diaconics, community education and social work, offers good conditions for everyone who strives in this direction. With practice-oriented training that includes 1,800 hours of practical time, future specialists are optimally prepared for their tasks.
Christina Neuse has the right feel for the needs of her community. With her warm nature and her extensive experience, she will certainly make a valuable contribution and actively shape the positive development of the community. It remains exciting to see how the offerings in the Schönfeld parish will develop.