Grateful Human

Monika Niemasik, MA, TLLP

When children and adolescents misbehave, withdraw, or fail to meet expectations, there is typically a reason. Although as adults we may not immediately understand or appreciate their intentions, it is in Monika's experience and understanding that these behaviors are communications. It is her goal to understand these communications and to encourage parents and their children to move forward with empowered perspectives, utilizing practical strategies for growth and improvement.  

Monika graduated with a Master of Arts in School and Community Psychology with an Advanced Graduate Certificate in School Psychology from Wayne State University. She received my Bachelors of Arts with Honors in Developmental Psychology from the University of Windsor. Monika primarily works with children, adolescents, and their families in the identification and treatment of behavioral, emotional, social, and academic challenges. 

Her experience as a school psychologist and psychotherapist provides her with a unique and comprehensive understanding of the multitude of stressors that youth face during their development. Monika's holistic and play-based approach to therapy provides a space for your child to best communicate their thoughts and feelings, as well as a place to develop healthy coping strategies. In partnership with you, she looks forward to helping your family maneuver through this exciting, yet sometimes challenging, journey of your child’s development.

In addition to practicing child psychology and working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist, 

Associate Professor of Health Communications Nick Iannarino shares with us what he has learned from his research about family caregiving and the Sandwich Generation. 

For more information on Fleece & Thank You, you can visit fleeceandthankyou.org.

Important to note: empathy is NOT just about walking in someone else's shoes, it's also about how you communicate back what you learned on that walk.

Connect with Nick and his research on LinkedIn.

Executive Director of Fleece & Thank You Nicholas Kristock talks with Ned Spektor about origins, Make a Blanket Day: 2019 Rochester, and how to pursue your passion. Theme from this talk: Share Your Energy!

We are talking about Make a Blanket Day: Rochester, New Volunteer Shifts, Upcoming Podcast Guests, and more!

Nate and Nick dive into the concept of values, empathy, and how to be the best version of ourselves so that we can make the people around us better. 

About AFS

Things change quickly sometimes. Looking at the photo accompanying this story in 2019 might have elicited thoughts about community, or fun events with friends; today the first thing that pops into our minds is a group of people not practicing social distancing. Certainly, life’s going to be a little complicated for awhile.

Just as it’s affected so many areas of our lives, the Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we do fitness.  As restrictions loosen and lockdowns are lifted, people will be emerging from quarantine with a very unique personal challenge to solve. How can I keep myself safe while also getting healthier and more resilient? This by in-large will be a highly individualized decision as each person weighs their risk factors, age, and overall health status against the risks of doing the things they want to do out in public. Knowing this is the “new normal” we’re coming back to, AFS ensures we have an option for you. Whether you aren’t ready to leave home yet, you’re chomping at the bit to get back to the gym, or maybe you fall somewhere in between.

The base AFS membership, or as it’s referred to now: (contactless membership) includes access to the AFS community virtual hub where we host several live workouts each week you can do right from your living room. In home experiences ranging from yoga, to circuit training, even strength and stretching! Base members also get access to our signature outdoor “pop-up” workouts where you can socialize and exercise with friends out in the fresh air. The workout options are topped off with access to our members only forum and guidance from a degreed and certified personal coach we’ll pair you up with to ensure you have all the tools you need to get started. For $35 per month you’ll have the support you need to get moving again without ever having to set foot into one of our facilities.

Feel comfortable coming to one of our physical locations? Enroll in one of our traditional memberships and take part in some of the most highly reviewed exercise experience anywhere in southeast Michigan. Now with updated/scientifically vetted screening, sanitization, and distancing protocols in place.

Title credit to  Kaylyn Anders from Cancer is Hilarious. 

About Chief Financial Credit Union

Chief Financial Federal Credit Union has been meeting the financial needs of our members since 1941. We have proudly maintained locations in Pontiac, MI while expanding into the Dearborn and Greater Rochester areas.

The Chief Financial goal is to be more than money. We have placed corporate social responsibility at the core of our foundation and intend to tirelessly work toward making our world a better place.

Chief Financial Credit Union is committed to empowering financial success and inspiring creative philanthropy.

At Chief Financial Credit Union, "more than money" is not just a tagline. It is the company culture that we have created and the fuel that drives our mission. Our goal is to inspire strategic partnerships between our employees, members, and community partners. We boldly aim to be forever remembered for the good we did, the chances we gave, the opportunities we created and the lives we changed.

We believe:

• Worth is not only measured with a dollar sign
• Value has little to do with a bottom line
• We can change the world one person at a time

Their core values include:

• Integrity in all Relationships: Strive to do what is right for the Credit Union, employees and membership with each interaction
• Collaborate for Growth: Create an environment where everyone contributes equally to the success of the whole and all opinions are given the same weight
• Transparency on all Levels: Continuous open and honest communication to create trust between the Credit Union, employees and members
• Social Responsibility is Everyone's Responsibility: All employees of the organization should seek ways to help the members of the communities we serve to live a better life each day
• Diversity Breeds Creativity: When we open ourselves up to acceptance of different perspectives we allow for new ideas to be created
• Perseverance Leads to Answers: Never stop trying to find a solution

The mission of the Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation is to support young adults with cancer from the beginning of their battle to life beyond cancer. Engaging in support groups involving peer interaction, especially young adult cancer camps, can provide them with tools that will help them manage the emotional side of their battle and allow them to feel like they are back in charge of their own life.

"In January of 2012, Cassie was told by her oncologist, “There is nothing more that we can do.” The cancer had attacked her liver along with other vital organs and she was beginning liver failure. She went home in the care of hospice. The final 42 days of Cassie’s life family and friends surrounded her. We told stories, asked questions, shared our fears, laughed and cried. Cassie wanted every young adult diagnosed with cancer to be able to experience it with the same peer support and sense of adventure she did. We knew it would be our job to make her dream a reality. We walked Cassie up to heaven’s gate and she entered on March 1, 2012. Cassie’s work here was done but ours was just beginning.

While Cassie was at First Descents Camp she wrote a letter to herself that was mailed to her six months after the camp finished. She was at home in hospice care when it arrived. We read the letter together; in it she described the week and then gave herself some advice. She reminded herself to “Stay active, eat healthy but enjoy junk food every so often. Never stop dreaming, when you feel good and even when you feel crappy, make life an adventure.” The advice I liked the best was 'Don’t take the easy road, take risks'."

Learn more at the Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer website