by Jessica Carreras
Sarah Dettloff is a fan of having a plan. The 29-year-old Roseville resident, who now works with the National AIDS Fund AmeriCorps Detroit team, is hoping to help create that plan for LGBT equality in Michigan.
1) How do you use your knowledge from being a paralegal to help the LGBT community now?
I'm a fierce advocate for proper planning for the LGBT community. Due to the fact that our relationships remain unrecognized by our government, we need to utilize what is available to us right now to protect some of our rights. Documents such as powers of attorney (durable and health care), wills, and HIPPA authorizations can provide us with some means of control and protection. I advocate that everyone needs to have these documents in place before they're needed.
Personally, I've been in a situation where a health care power of attorney literally made the difference in whether or not I saw my partner in the hospital. It was a scary time for me because I felt like the validity of our relationship was being challenged. Without proper planning, the outcome of that situation would have been much different.
2) How did you get involved with AmeriCorps?
Last year, after five years in West Virginia, I happily moved back to my home state of Michigan. I've always wanted to pursue a more service-orientated path in life but it never seemed like the right time. Moving back presented the perfect set of circumstances for me personally and I knew that if I didn't change paths now, I probably never would. I choose to apply for the National AIDS Fund AmeriCorps program because I believed it would satisfy my desire for community service while simultaneously serving my community. This program has opened many doors for me and I'm excited to see where I'll end up.
3) Why do you feel its necessary to educate and empower youth?
Dare I say, "The children are our future?" I've worked with youth a lot over the years and one thing I've noticed is the inconsistency with regard to sex education. Some get it at school, some at home and some aren't getting it at all. Currently I volunteer at a local agency providing safer sex classes to youth ages 11-19. This is a broad age range and sometimes makes for awkward moments during class, but overall I enjoy the variety of ages. I know there are varying opinions with regard to youth and sex education but personally I believe that the only way to protect our youth is through age appropriate education. This includes open and honest discussions about sex, contraception and sexual orientation.
4) You're a self-described political junkie. Why are politics so important to you?
I'll never forget the moment I become interested in politics. It was December 2003 and I was annoyed that a presidential debate was preempting prime time TV. All of a sudden, completely unexpectedly, I was drawn into the debate by Howard Dean and the next thing I knew, I was watching the entire debate while simultaneously Googling Dean and everything he mentioned. That night, I signed up online to volunteer for his campaign.
Something about Dean inspired and intrigued me in ways I had never experienced before. I found myself listening to NPR on my morning commute and watching MSNBC in the evenings. I was hooked.
The more I followed politics, the more passionate I became about becoming an active participant. I realized that I had no right to complain about the actions of my government if I didn't vote and didn't become involved.
Also, I became fascinated with how Dean utilized the Internet and involved the younger generation of voters like no one before him had done. This led me to believe in the power of grassroots organizing, of which I am a huge supporter. It's hard to describe the passion I have for politics but it's no doubt something that won't be easing up anytime soon. I think the reason politics are so important to me is because I've seen first-hand how a motivated group of "ordinary people" can alter the course of major political events.
5) How has traveling affected what you want to do with your life?
Two years ago I went to Thailand for three weeks by myself – no tours, no guides, just me. A lot of people thought I had lost my mind. I spent those three weeks making my way across the entire country, without knowing the language and relying on the kindness of others, which was not in short supply in Thailand.
Several things about this trip changed me. First, the fact that so many of the people in my life thought that it was absurd to embark on this type of adventure. I came home compelled to share my experience with anyone who would listen and promote international travel. Second, the unequaled kindness of the Thai people. Thailand has struggled with political and economic unsuitability for decades but the Thai people were kind, selfless and genuinely happy. It never ceased to amaze me the generosity of people who had so little themselves. Upon my return from Thailand, I thought a lot of the excess of our society and happily began "downsizing."
I believe that we need to see the world to better understand ourselves. Ideally, I hope to find a career which allows me to travel abroad while continuing to make a difference.
To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit http://www.americorps.gov.
