Jeanette Altman: How to Provide Compassion for At Risk Youth

In this episode, Marcus interviews Jeanette Altman, a social worker in Florida. Jeanette tells of a youth camping experience for youth with parents who are suffering from substance abuse disorder. The nationwide program helps create support and bonds for youth who love their parents and, therefore, love an addict, with everything that entails. Jeanette tells how a participant’s struggle story doesn’t mean the end of the story. Marcus and Jeanette talk about the practice of non-judgement in listening to the stories of others and the special circumstances that arise with siblings at the camp. The two talk about struggle stories and how, often, the story never gets fully formed. By practicing active listening and non-judgmental awareness, we help others process their struggle story.   Key topics:00:00 – Introduction02:10 – How did Jeanette get into social work?04:06 – Jeanette talks about working with JFCS’s Camp Mariposa and how she approaches the work.07:02 – Marcus asks about JFCS’s Camp Mariposa and the campers that attend.10:38 – Jeanette talks about how important it is for campers to be given space to share their story without judgement or correction.14:28 – Marcus asks about the JFCS’s Camp Mariposa team and the different people that work with the camp.16:36 – The two discuss intergenerational pattern of addiction and how to address the family dynamic. Jeanette teaches campers to imagine the future and shift perspective.22:20 – Marcus asks about “Struggle Story” and what that idea is. Jeanette highlights that it is brave and powerful to “sit in the uncomfortable.”27:41 – Marcus thanks Jeanette for her work and for her compassion. 31:26 – Marcus asks Jeanette a series of rapid-fire questions. Jeanette leaves the quote “What is mentionable is manageable.”34:51 – Thank You and Goodbyes Resources for you:Learn more about JFCS’s Camp Mariposa: https://jfcs-cares.org/camp-mariposa/Connect with Marcus on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcusEngelSpeaker/Connect with Marcus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blindguypictures/Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/Subscribe to the podcast through Apple: https://bit.ly/MarcusEngelPodcastLearn more about Jeanette Altman:Jeanette Altman, MSW, has been working with children and families for 20 years.  Her passion for recreational camping combined with her desire to positively impact the lives of at-risk families led to the development of the therapeutic model utilized at JFCS’s Camp Mariposa.  Jeanette received her MSW from the University of South Florida School of Social Work. She is currently the Director of JFCS’s Camp Mariposa, a mentoring and prevention program for youth impacted by family addiction. Date: 06/20/2022Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in HealthcareEpisode title and number: Episode 55 – Jeanette Altman: How to Provide Compassion for At Risk Youth