Pauline Kaldas
It was an honor to visit Still Waters and to meet Stephen Haff and the students. I read to them from one of my essays and felt their attention to my words. Their willingness to share the stories they had written about their names with me was truly a gift. There is such richness and honesty in their voices. These were mostly adult students, and I could sense the complex experiences that led them to be in this place. Their stories revealed the journeys they have taken and the memories they carry with them as they are now making new lives for themselves. What most impressed me is the sense of comfort and safety in the classroom, a tribute to Stephen who knows each of these individuals and cares for them with kindness and encouragement. Still Waters is exactly the kind of place we need today, a place where the multiple voices of our diverse nation can be heard. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of Still Waters.