Sister Visitor Center team loves its community

There are a few misconceptions about West Louisville that the team at Sister Visitor Center would like to clear up. In an interview with staff, that came up more than anything else.

“I wish people understood that the community we serve faces many challenges and it’s okay for them to ask for help,” said Assistant Director Pacifique Uwayezu. “Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.”

Program Director Sr. Paris Slapikas echoed Pacifique, noting that the people they serve often carry a stigma of being unmotivated when, “in reality, there are so many barriers preventing them from being able to reach self-sufficiency.”

“I try to educate people in my life,” said Case Manager Becky Jetton. “This is not a scary place to be each day. This is not a community where only violence is present. People here are raising families, taking pride in their neighborhood, and looking out for one another. They want to be safe and stable, just as anyone does.”

That community is part of what the team enjoys in their work. “What I love most about SVC is helping our neighbors in the West End community,’ said Pacifique. Becky said she loves that she meets “the most amazingly resilient neighbors” who share with her “good humor, sincerity, courage, and patience.” Food Pantry Coordinator Kim Clark enjoys feeding the West End and getting to know clients by name. “I think addressing them by their first name is a personal connection, and one I deeply value.”

And Sr. Paris? She loves watching her team love what they do, “going out of their way to make sure participants feel valued and cared for.”

Love it or not, working with people in need can take a toll. Team members practice self-care in some vastly differing ways. Kim puts away her phone, turns of the TV, and reads her daily meditation, while Pacifique attends boxing classes and workout bootcamps. Becky takes a more systemic approach, focusing on good sleep, healthy eating, time with people, trying new things, and practicing gratitude. Sr. Paris practices reflection and prayer, spends time with friends and in nature, and watches sports.

“I feel grateful every day to get to work with my SVC team,” she said, “and to walk in the footsteps of my SCN sisters who founded Sister Visitor Center.

The SVC team includes, pictured left to right, Audrey Penman, Becky Jetton,  Sr. Paris, Sara Logsdon, Kim Clark, Laura Williams, Nva Stubbs, and Pacifique Uwayezu.