For Carroll College student Alli Devine, some of the most important lessons happen outside the classroom.
An Elementary Education major entering her sophomore year, Devine is spending her summer with Family Promise, a nonprofit organization that supports families experiencing housing instability. While her long-term goal is to become an elementary school teacher, the role is already helping her strengthen the empathy, communication, and relationship-building skills that will be invaluable in her future classroom.
As a Resident Assistant, Devine works directly with families staying on campus through Family Promise, which has partnered with Carroll College for 15 years. She helps foster a safe, welcoming environment while families pursue stable housing, employment, and a path toward long-term success.
The opportunity was a natural fit for Devine, who has long been passionate about serving others. Prior to taking on the role, she had already become familiar with Family Promise with in Carroll's street ministry program, where students connect with individuals experiencing homelessness through outreach and relationship-building.
"I first learned about Family Promise and its mission while living in Alaska. During my freshman year at Carroll College, I participated in street ministry alongside fellow students, engaging in meaningful and respectful conversations with marginalized individuals. Through these interactions, we sought to build genuine connections and address the often-overlooked poverty of loneliness. My recent involvement with Family Promise has further reinforced the importance of compassion, community, and meaningful human connection," Devine said.
Those experiences helped inspire her desire to continue serving vulnerable populations while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges many families face.
For Devine, the experience connects directly to both her studies and her future profession. She hopes to apply lessons from her theology coursework by building authentic relationships with the families she serves rather than remaining distant from their experiences. Through conversations and daily interactions, she is learning the importance of meeting people where they are and recognizing the dignity of every individual.
The role is also giving her valuable insight into the lives of children and families facing difficult circumstances.
"Throughout this summer program, I hope to gain deeper compassion as I view life through a different perspective," Devine shared.
As a future educator, she believes those lessons will help her better understand the unique challenges students may bring into the classroom. By witnessing firsthand how family circumstances can affect a child's experiences and development, Devine is gaining a perspective that will help her create a more supportive and compassionate learning environment in the future.
Beyond her work with Family Promise, Devine has also developed an appreciation for Helena and the community she has found here. She describes Helena as a close-knit city where community events, farmers markets, and downtown gatherings bring people together and foster meaningful connections.
While she is still considering where life after graduation may lead, Devine knows that experiences like this are shaping the kind of teacher she hopes to become. Through Family Promise, she is gaining far more than professional experience. She is learning how to listen, build relationships, and lead with compassion—qualities that will benefit both her future students and the communities she serves.
For Devine, every interaction is another opportunity to learn, and every lesson brings her one step closer to becoming the educator she aspires to be.
