Safe Haven - Regis College

Fillmans spent so much time onRegis’s campus, her professorsjoked that the young trio hadenough credits to graduate.The Jamaica native and the Irish nun forged a specialkinship, based in large part on their shared beliefthat education moves people out of poverty.Carol Dorr, director of the socialwork department at Regis, saysPauline stood out as an exceptionallyhard-working, committedstudent. “She felt passionatelyabout social work and wanted tomake a difference in the lives ofher clients, especially vulnerableand oppressed populations. I haveno doubt that Pauline has benefitedfrom her Regis education andhas established herself as a leaderand champion for social justice.”Pauline says women like Dr.Dorr and Sister Denise have leftan indelible mark on her life.“Sister D, hmm, I don’t knowwhat I’d do without her. She’s myfriend, my family. She’s been therefor every graduation, every littlething.” Dr. Dorr prodded her onwhen doubt and weariness cloudedPauline’s drive to finish college.“I told her it was all too muchand I just couldn’t do it anymore,”Pauline says, recalling that Dr.Dorr just looked at her calmly andsaid, “Well, Pauline, I have everyconfidence in you.”After graduation, Paulineclimbed in her old jalopy anddrove a few minutes down thestreet to the offices of the JusticeResource Institute, one of the largesthuman services providers inMassachusetts, intending to applyfor a direct-care position. Instead,she was hired as the assistantmanager of a group home for eightdevelopmentally disabled men.Within weeks, she was promotedto the program’s manager.Pauline is there today, caringfor “her guys,” advocating fortheir needs and supervisingstaff. Recently, colleagues nominatedher for the Associationof Developmental DisabilitiesProviders’ Human ServicesProfessional Award, praising herleadership and hands-on approach.According to Lyndis Clarke, theInstitute’s residential director,“Most holidays and weekends,Pauline pops in to check on herguys, making sure everything isgoing smoothly, or dropping offa pie she made that morning.”Pauline still yearns for furthereducation but her old nemesis,money, prevents her from pursuinga master’s degree. She is still payingcollege loans and supportingher children: Nicholas, 22, a seniorat Regis; Aaron, 21, who works asa caregiver; and Zaria, 16, a sophomoreat Marian High School.At Sister Denise’s urging,she is finally taking time forherself. Pauline has received ascholarship and plans to attenda contemplative weekend thisyear at the St. Joseph RetreatCenter in Cohasset.Pauline’s determined work ethichas been inherited by her children,though Nicholas’s drive to succeedsometimes worries his mom. “Itell him, it’s okay to take sometime off, but he won’t. People aredepending on him and he refusesto let them down,” she says.The Regis senior is completinghis final year as a communicationsmajor. In between his six classes,including a rigorous senior seminar,Nick works as a dietary aideat Bethany Health Care Center,a 101-bed skilled nursing facilityadjacent to Bethany Hill School.The job keeps Nick busy—heworks every weekend from 6:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—and it connectshim with unique people like SisterJanina Mangion, CSJ, who lightsup when Nick delivers a meal orsits to chat. “She’s sweet,” he says.Eager to share Sister Janina’s wisdomwith the world, Nick set up aTwitter account for the 105-yearoldnun with regular “SisterJanina says” comments.“He’s always thinking. He’s ago-getter with a heart of gold,”says Jim Aujir, Bethany HealthCare Center’s general managerof hospitality and building services,chuckling as he recountsthe Twitter story.“Nick comes from a simple backgroundand he’s never had a lot butit doesn’t matter—he shines,” saysAujir, who also supervised Nick’shospitality management internshipat the health care center.Nick formerly was the stagemanager for Regis theater productionsand hopes his futurecareer combines his love of hospitalitywith his special-event andtechnical expertise. And while hewasn’t a fan of high school, he sayshis Regis curriculum has definedhim. “I like to speak in public andwork in small groups. I like to planand coordinate…to be in charge,”he admits.Nick says of his past guestservicesjob at the IMAX 3Dtheater at Jordan’s Furniture:“I went out of my way to helppeople and I even got some niceletters. It made me feel goodthat people had a great timebecause of me.”During a recent interview atRegis, Nick sat with his closefriend and Regis classmate MollyDanforth, a junior nursing student.Nick and Molly grew uptogether at Bethany Hill Schooland have remained staunch alliesthrough difficult times.Their connection is palpable,although outwardly the duo isquite different. Nick slouchescomfortably in his seat, easy andrelaxed in an oversized Adidasblack sweatshirt, tugging everynow and then at his knit cap.Molly sits upright, a picture15spring 12