Elaine Yastishock Email & Phone Number

Care for injured or orphaned wild sea otters who are being rehabilitated to hopefully return to the wild.

Helped homeless animals (especially cats) meet adopters and make matches. Participated in fundraisers, corporate tours, and other projects/roles.

Helped form a local chapter of pet-assisted therapy through Love on a Leash. Recruited members, supported chapter meetings, and helped establish a presence at the San Jose Airport. Helped members certifyi their friendly personal pets--dogs, cats, rabbits--to visit people for stress relief.

San Jose, California

May - Nov., 2013: Volunteered weekly to provide spiritual care (chaplaincy) as needed to the staff, patients, and visitorsNov./Dec., 2013: in charge of re-organizing the spiritual care office spaces and supplies; providing support to staff chaplains for in-service training of volunteers and development of future programs2014 - 2015: assist in providing support to staff via "Tea for the Soul" (time of hospitality and emotional support provided directly at select medical units).

Palo Alto, California

Tutored conversational English and provide cross-cultural feedback to international executives. Was frequently requested by clients and called upon by staff for clients with special needs. (ex. particular requests, cultural sensitivities) By succeeding in building relationships with clients and communicating their needs to staff, transformed several negative client experiences into positive ones. Voted the Campbell office’s “Instructor of the Year” in 2009.

San Jose, Ca

(volunteer) Coordinated construction and supplies for personal home addition. With research, self-education, and collaboration, located re-used and vintage building supplies at below cost and provided quality finish work. Completed 1930-period project far below normal cost.

Atherton, Ca

Invited to coordinate liturgies, facilitate retreats and meetings, and offer spiritual support at a diverse Catholic high school during an administrative transition. Re-structured campus ministry into a welcoming presence for students/staff, increased student/staff involvement, and was key in shaping the new ministry team.

Burlingame, Ca

Coordinated the adult initiation process (RCIA) and created 3 new ministries: a active “20s-40s” community, a parishioner-to-parishioner outreach for those in need, and bereavement ministry (including parishioner-lead support groups). Introduced a dynamic, collaborative Vatican II approach by revitalizing liturgies, recruiting/training parishioner teams for RCIA and grief ministry, and emphasizing hospitality. Dramatically increased parishioner involvement in new ministries.

San Francisco, Ca

Completed 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), an intensive one-year residency in pastoral care/chaplaincy. Using a spiritual assessment model, addressed the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and staff in an acute care facility while training with a diverse group of interfaith chaplains. Facilitated non-denominational services and shared rotation as overnight on-call chaplain. Requested back by rehab unit staff each unit.

Santa Barbara, Ca

Selected and scheduled the retreats at this interfaith retreat center. Produced the final retreat schedule, marketing flyers, and outreach. Corresponded with retreat leaders and assisted them with retreat development/ facilitation/ feedback/ evaluation. Prepared retreat set-up, introductions and welcomes. Served as host and pastoral presence, co-facilitating and trouble-shooting, as needed.

Santa Barbara, Ca

Head teaching assistant for (the late) Professor Walter Capps in largest campus courses (900 students each): the Vietnam War in America and Voices of the Stranger, classes built around the sharings of guest speakers, some presented via live satellite. Coordinated TA team, logistics, and served as personal assistant to Professor Capps. Asked to return yearly during 3-year graduate stay; later invited to write online class syllabus. Awarded special medal of appreciation by the Vietnam War veterans of the class. Later assisted Professor Capps briefly at start of his congressional campaign.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Pastoral Ministry

Activities and Societies: Involved in hospitality, development/ fund-raisers, liturgies, choir, meditation. Voted by peers to give.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Religious Studies

Activities and Societies: Head teaching assistant for (the late) Professor Walter Capps (later, Congressman Walter Capps), research.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Environmental Planning & Management. Minor = Rhetoric

Activities and Societies: The Newman Center (Catholic student community), various internshipships in parks and recreation, one summer.

Clinical Pastoral Education (4 Units), Hospital Chaplaincy

This was an intensive one-year residency in pastoral care/chaplaincy.

Education record