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Alumni Focus - Jessie (Bilitz) Polzin ('03)

Color photo of child and adult woman
Black and white photo of parents with four children
Jessie (Bilitz) Polzin (‘03)

Jessie (Bilitz) Polzin learned the value of showing Christian love in high school and took that mindset to serve at the Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla, Mexico. Read more about her work as an occupational therapist and how God connected her with the right people at the right time.

What is your favorite St. Croix memory?
It's difficult to pick just one! I enjoyed helping backstage with hair and makeup before theater performances and cheering my head off with friends at Homecoming games. I appreciated my classmates immensely when we all came together as Juniors to decorate the commons and gym for spring formal. Everyone had a job and no one complained (at least that I knew about!) We stayed late, we worked hard, and it looked beautiful! 

Did any specific SCLA teacher or staff make a positive impact on you?
My volleyball coaches made a big impact (Carrie (Stueber) now Orvik, Mrs. Stob, Mrs. Grev). I was never the best player, and some days I really stunk at the game(!), but they encouraged me anyway. They gave me a chance to develop what I WAS good at -- encouraging others. Whether I played one minute or a whole game, I knew I could make a difference as a teammate. That has stuck with me. No job is too small to make an impact through character. 

Please tell us more about your journeys to Puebla, Mexico and the Esperanza Viva youth home.
It seemed by coincidence at the time, but you know how God works -- his timing is perfect! The Esperanza Viva (EV) youth home is a rescue mission in Puebla, Mexico that gives neglected, abandoned, and abused children a safe place to live, grow, and learn of God's love. In 2018, a dental hygienist friend, who brings volunteer dental teams to EV, invited me to an informational meeting. I'm an occupational therapist and was curious if I could help, too. EV’s on-site nurse was in the United States recruiting volunteers to help kids learn basic hygiene, self care, and self awareness. I thought to myself, "That's me! That's exactly what I do!" That same fall, I took a leap of faith and volunteered at EV for a week. 

The children who had just arrived to EV were still cautious, as if waiting to see what the cost would be for this newfound nurturing. But the children who had lived at EV longer, who had learned to trust the words spoken over them, "God loves you. We love you. You have a purpose!," they radiated pure joy. Yes, I helped the children with their self care and regulation, but more so, their hope and renewal was a gift TO ME! 

This October will be my third year returning to serve the 30+ staff and 120+ children at the Esperanza Viva youth home (lovehopemercy.org). I also support the clinic staff virtually throughout the year with quarterly zoom calls, but it's not the same as being in person! On site, there is a medical clinic, school, gym for meals and worship, dormitory, and visitor housing. I meet with children one-on-one and in groups, as well as teach dorm staff, school staff, and ministry staff the same concepts so they can carry the learning into each child's daily life. I enjoy taking rehab and holistic practitioners with me (I hear they enjoy it too!). I hope to take student groups in the future- those interested in mission work, healthcare, and wellness. I enjoy living out my purpose so others can find theirs. 

What do you do as an OT, and what do you enjoy about it?
In the briefest summary, an occupational therapist gets to enhance a person's independence. Whether that person is a child or adult, whether they have a disability, injury, diagnosis or figurative roadblock, the question is "How can this person reach their highest potential, be the most independent and most fulfilled?" The rehab team works physically, cognitively, and spiritually to help get that person there. 

Specifically at EV, I teach the children how to care for their bodies and their well-being. This includes how to brush teeth and shower, as many of the children have never used a toothbrush or washcloth before coming to EV. We talk about their feelings, mindfulness, triggers, friendship, and coping strategies. Whatever I teach the children, I draw it out and teach staff, too, since they are the caregivers the other 355 days of the year. 

I enjoy being an OT because every person's needs are different and every therapy session is different. I might start with foundational skills, but the path or trajectory of each person is unique. It's a gift to see people as a whole of many parts and discovering what makes "them them".

Anything else you want to share? Fun hobbies?
I run the Beauty of You clothing business from our home to help support our work at EV. I am launching a virtual wellness workshop this fall with the plan for an overnight wellness retreat later this winter! I choose to be home while my children are little (ages, 9, 8, 6, 4) and we enjoy hiking! You might find me horseback riding, playing volleyball with friends, singing for church, or gardening in the downtime.