Volume 38, Issue 12. Today is
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Volume 38, Issue 12. Today is
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Multi-talented instructor gives back to communityBY TYA WALLS From the Army, to the Gilbert Police Department and then onto MCC, Rose-Marie Lichtenfels puts up a good fight for all concerned.
Through it all, she has managed to make a difference in many people’s lives. While busy teaching at MCC in the Cultural Science Department, Lichtenfels also tackles the task of being a Youth and Family Counselor at the Gilbert Police Department. "She has done a lot for the community," said Sue McAleavy, a fellow faculty member at MCC. Lichtenfels is a native of Irwin, PA., where she lived with her grandparents while her father was in the military. When she was old enough, she traveled with her father around the U.S. and decided to keep the U.S. Army a family tradition. In 1975, she enlisted as a canine handler, working with German Shepherd Dogs. She remained in the profession for 12 years. Lichtenfels then decided that working with kids during her term in the service would be the ideal thing to do. That is when she discovered her love for working with children. "My grandmother is partially responsible for pushing me in this direction, by showing me her unconditional love by helping others in times of need and teaching me strong family values and morals," Lichtenfels said. "No matter how tough times got, we never walked out on the situation." After leaving the military, Lichtenfels came to MCC to head the Community Resource Department. "I enjoy the fresh perspective the students bring and they challenge me to keep me on my toes," she said. Lichtenfels enjoys teaching students who have an interest in social work. "There is always room for discussing the topic at hand when dealing with students that have the same interest as you do," Lichtenfels said. As a youth and family counselor at the Gilbert Police Department, Lichtenfels works with women and children who have been physically, mentally and sexually abused. She uses her experience and knowledge to comfort victims and their families as they try to overcome the trauma of violent crimes. Since she has a passion for aiding people through crises in their lives. In fact, she describes these experiences as one of herfavorite aspects of social work. "Rose-Marie has an excellent character," said Lacy Rosecocks, Lichtenfels’s supervisor of 10 years at the Gilbert Police Department. "She is very thorough and if I need anything done, I know I can count on her." In the future, Lichtenfels says that she plans to teach at MCC full-time, and will possibly get more involved in administrative duties. She would also like to become more involved in helping the lives of children, by joining organizations like Child Help USA and East Valley Child Crises Center. "Everyone should get more involved in community service and do something that makes a difference in someone’s life," Lichtenfels said. |
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