TORRINGTON – If one has never had the opportunity to set foot inside the St. Joseph’s Children’s Home (St. Joe's) in Torrington, it could accurately be described as diverse.

Everything at first glance once inside the main entrance represents a storied past filled with different faces, places, heartbreaking lows, and equally amazing highs.

If one were to walk up the beautiful welcoming steps of the facility, they would immediately be greeted by an ancient yet gorgeous chapel; complemented with all the intricate artistic stained-glass windows depicting Christ, the Blessed Virgin, Saint Peter, and all other virtuous saints and angels waiting to welcome whoever arrives.

An appropriate sight for a facility which has built an almost legendary status for housing at-risk or troubled children; as well as providing extensive help and hope for families in need nationwide. 

Just next door to this symbolic and sacred house of God lies a quiet, simple conference room. Reserved for essential meetings and greetings, the room represents a haven for staff, residents, family, guests, and friends all working toward one honest but very challenging goal.

As with all conference rooms lies a large, almost antique table with its own storied history. Another notable relic of St. Joe’s with no plan of moving anywhere anytime soon.

Sitting quietly and peacefully around the table are four individuals, staff members, who could not be more different when it comes to outward appearance. On the contrary, each person combinedly shares decades of experience working with children society has deemed troubled, aggressive, incorrigible, and even undesirable.

It’s a career path few will ever walk or understand, as many individuals have come and gone over the facility’s long history. That being said, these four individuals are particularly unique.

The reason being each person originally comes from a different country, a different culture, and a different way of life. However throughout years of work, they have vehemently found when communication, understanding, trust, and respect are utilized, great things can and are accomplished.

Sitting together around the table were St. Joe’s Residential Supervisor Mike Kattaneh from Palestine, Therapist Phil Lukalu from Uganda, Therapist Luzviminda “Luz” Hofer from the Philippines, and Education Assistant Fernando “Freddy” Barron from Mexico.

Despite each person being born virtually worlds apart, each found their own path which has led right to a quiet, peaceful little town in Wyoming. Of all the places the world had to offer, Torrington became their home for what has now become their calling in life.

An Arab, a Mexican, a Filipina, and an African are all sitting around the same table at what they now have described as their second home. More specifically and importantly, each individual is a true American who has brought their own valuable lessons, morals, and goals to share as part of the God-given right to pursue the American Dream.

Despite the immense freedom and success between them, each spoke with a confident sincerity of what it is truly like to be the minority in a small rural community.

Especially in working in a highly demanding environment like the St. Joe's.

“I’m able to bring in the most positive characteristics and attributes of my background in growing up in a Middle Eastern household,” Kattaneh began. “This influence is the most positive part I can bring into St. Joe’s and teach these kids how to be self-reliant. I can teach them how to grow, and the positive image of what a strong individual truly is. This shows our kids how to see a different part of the world, and sometimes in my culture certain things are just not considered okay. But they have the power to teach me just as much as I teach them.”

“Us being here benefits them in a way where they have to experience dealing with diverse people,” Hofer added. “There is always going to be diversity in values, actions, and behaviors. They are practicing how to embrace those people who are different from them, which really does take practice. It’s about teaching them to be accepting, embrace our differences, and be tolerant of those differences.”

According to Barron, children primarily of today along with many adults have been sucked into inaccurate stereotypes involving minorities and cultural diversity. Barron explained a firm belief this has been caused by biased news media networks, social media platforms, and pre-conceived judgement and assumptions without truly getting to know someone who may look different or speak a foreign language.

“It’s great for the kids and communities to experience, in person, different cultures other than seeing it on TV, social media or word of mouth,” Barron said. “A lot of times in small communities when someone doesn’t experience something, a stereotype is created. Most of the time it’s not correct, and people should form their opinion firsthand on it. It can be tough living in a small town. When Phil walks into a room, being black, all eyes are on him. I think it is also a struggle to speak your language sometimes because of what people think you might be saying, or they feel uncomfortable with you are saying. You are expected to speak English all the time around people who don’t or can’t speak your language.”

Lukalu, a former Olympic Development soccer player, concurred with his colleague in expressing a dignified aspiration for more communication, understanding, and above all exposure to cultures.

“Going off what Freddy said, exposure breeds understanding,” Lukalu added. “Ultimately it tears down some of those stereotypes and contradictions which exist mainly due to a lack of exposure. You end up having kids being more socially or culturally diverse, which allows them to just be better people. It lets them be more inclusive. When we can do this, it ultimately lets us become better people as a whole.”

Having worked at the facility for nearly 15 years and overcoming every obstacle the job has had to give, Kattaneh has established a reputation amongst fellow staff, peers, and residents as one of the strongest and most trusted individuals ever to have walked through the doors.

When it comes to talking about cultural diversity and languages, Kattaneh sees it as a long-term blessing, not something to be feared or shunned.

“The more we can expose these kids to different types of cultures, the more successful social interactions they will have out there in the world,” Kattaneh stated. “In Illinois, you will see Indonesians, Pakistanis, and Asians all in one little store. You don’t get that much out here. I’ve noticed out here if someone has broken English it’s looked at as, ‘Ugh! Can’t we get someone who speaks English?’ If you go to Illinois or California, you don’t bat an eye about that stuff. People have a right to live, and we are not going to keep them in a cave because they are still learning the language. The fact is they are able to learn as quickly as they are holding a conversation, yet they are not getting enough credit for how intelligent they really are.”

Kattaneh chose to speak on one notable Torrington physician as well as his therapist counterparts. According to Kattaneh despite coming from different continents, these individuals have survived and thrived through extremely hard work and perseverance to earn advanced degrees which will benefit their fellow U.S. citizens.

“How intelligent does someone have to be to walk into this country, cannot at first speak English, and eventually walk out of a school with an MD?” Kattaneh asked. “Not only did they have to learn our ways, not only did they have to learn the English language, but they eventually got advanced degrees and even an MD in this country. I can’t imagine how challenging that could be for somebody, and they don’t get enough credit. That includes these two therapists sitting right here next to me.”

“Here I am a different person and am definitely separated from the norm here,” Hoffer added. “It has taught me to be more mindful of how I speak, and how I act and to educate myself about the culture here so I may have better relationships. I didn’t have to do that in the Philippines, because everyone of course speaks and acts the way I do. I recently had an experience in meeting other Filipinos in a restaurant. We were very excited about encountering each other and got to talking and laughing a bit. We were a bit loud laughing and having fun because we were so excited. I think with other people it was offensive. Some complained because we were noisy because we couldn’t help ourselves. To them, it was not appropriate.”

The motto of St. Joe’s has always been, “Open Minds and Open Hearts”. In order for a staff member to work with any resident and their family, this particular philosophy is essential. According to Lukalu the aphorism has played an immensely important role in his career, as well as the power and influence it has in reaching beyond St. Joe’s walls and out into communities.

“When you come out here from elsewhere, you obviously have some anxiety about it,” Lukalu explained. “I’ve been in cities where there are millions, but out here we are in the middle of nowhere. From day one I felt open arms and open hearts have always been here. You can always find a teammate you can consult in. The environment itself is set up with open arms and open hearts. Some people you may disagree with, but any cultural establishment has that. You feel you can be yourself and authentically offer what you generally have in your heart. These kids can see fake people and see if they are genuine. If not, then to them you have nothing to offer. Diversity improves our ability to be more mindful. Being in this community and in this job are intertwined. If you take this place and put it in a city you don’t feel the impact we have in this community, which is exponentially much more. That’s what made America the land of all nations. You create a community within a community.”

“Here at St. Joe’s, I am not judged by my skin, race, or religion,” Barron added. “I am judged by my character, which could be a bad thing because I am a character. We are always learning from the kids. They better you, which in terms means you better your teaching for the next ones. Every day you get a little better and earn a little more. I don’t feel I have to be any different in here than I am out there, and the cycle goes on and on.”

Before returning to their duties of supervising, mentoring, and providing traumatic care for their residents, each American had some departing words of thought for their fellow citizens; as well as those who may feel frustrated or confused about things out of their control.

“We all have feelings. We sometimes do feel hurt, and we do feel pain,” Hofer said. “I can be myself, and as a person, I can be genuine. Knowing this place embraces diversity along with a diverse culture of staff, it really makes me feel I’m home.”

“All of our strengths should be complimenting each other,” Kattaneh added. “Think about all the quality relationships you are missing out on by passing judgment and jumping to conclusions.”

Barron earnestly added, “We are all God’s children. There is not any color that separates us. We are all human beings, and we are all men and women. So, slow your role on the judgment. Help me help you help us be a better community. I have to work with you so you can work with me. I love my job.”

Finally, there were some closing words of authentic perception from a highly educated, skilled, and intellectual man. A man whose own birthplace has seen its share of violent intolerance, and the long-term consequences it brings.

“Be more understanding and individualized,” Lukalu said. “Sometimes you don’t know the circumstances of what neglect or lack of opportunity some have had. Behaviors come from a culture. It goes back to the same people always looking at you. One of the most discriminatory things in existence I have experienced is when someone discovers you are an educated professional. Then it’s as if, ‘How? That’s not a thing for you people.’ It’s as if from certain perspectives you can only have money if you are either an athlete or entertainer. There is still an assumption where there can’t be any black professionals out there. When you approach people peacefully and openly about gender or color, you can build an entire community on that. People who stereotype will cause others to distance themselves from them. Stereotypes are what keeps us from growing. Open arms and open hearts. If you have a community embracing that, there’s nothing that can break that community.”