Nathania Gartman

Above and Beyond

By Aliceann Whiteley

Genesis Youth Center

Nathania helped me to make a dream a reality. I work with at-risk youth in a work camp program called Genesis Youth Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I was immediately drawn to her. She was so willing to persevere in accommodating special needs for Genesis youth.

Our first trip was in early 2000.

I remember being worried about the performance of "my kids": were they doing what was expected? I shared my concern with Nathania one day while we were walking and conversing in Old Dog Town. She put her hand on my arm and we stopped. Nathania said "Listen."

I stood and listened for a bit. There was a kind of a hush over Dogtown. Nathania (in her quiet way) told me there was my answer. The frenzied, loud barking and yowling of early morning when everybody wanted their breakfast and attention was gone. Dogtown was peacefully quiet. They were being well cared for and their silence showed it.

Nathania was a brilliant teacher. The youth I serve can sometimes be difficult, to say the least. Nathania had such a way with them. She could challenge them to think and reflect in such a way that kids who normally may have withdrawn into themselves were totally engrossed in any given activity.

Many were the times I was mesmerized by Nathania's teaching abilities. She felt strongly about everyone being in touch with their inner self, and she challenged kids to try to reach inside themselves to find their own spirituality.

Nathania has truly been an inspiration to me. I will always remember her devotion and dedication to young people.

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