We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Blum recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
When I think about resilience, it brings up deep emotions. I’ve been involved in community work since 2005, where I’ve worked with thousands of people seeking mental health, substance use, and homelessness support. I’ve seen people battling to survive while living under bridges, going in and out of psychiatric hospitals and jails, experiencing serious mental health symptoms, and falling through the cracks of systems that are not set up to support them the way they need. This has taught me a lot about resilience through my own experiences. Working with and learning from some of the toughest people in our community has been a true gift.
In 2018, I found a lump in my left breast, and initially, I didn’t consider it a matter of great concern, attributing it to a potential clogged milk duct, as I’d just stopped breastfeeding my child. Consequently, I postponed seeking medical evaluation for a few months. It was only when I found myself assisting a member that was living under a bridge who urgently required medical attention due to numbness in both feet moving up her legs, that I experienced a significant shift in perspective regarding my own health. She initially downplayed her condition, sounded quite familiar to my situation, describing it as “not a big deal,” but through our conversation, she eventually agreed to schedule a medical examination for her feet.
This interaction prompted me to reflect on my own situation, leading me to question why I hadn’t treated my breast lump as an abnormality deserving immediate attention. Several examinations revealed an aggressive and rare cancer, known as Primary Angiosarcoma.
Interacting with these resilient people has not only broadened my perspective but has also instilled within me a deeper appreciation for the resiliency inside myself. Through my cancer journey I have been reminded that even in the most trying times, there is inner strength that can overcome the most daunting of circumstances. Through their stories and experiences, I have learned that the human capacity for resilience knows no bounds, and it is a source of inspiration that has guided me through my own journey.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was born and raised in Nashville, and in 2006, I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work from Belmont University. Since July 2007, I’ve been a dedicated member of the Park Center team, where I’ve taken on a variety of roles. These include serving as a care manager, a SOAR Coordinator, Director of Residential Services, and Director of Homeless Outreach Services, ultimately culminating in my current position as Director of Philanthropy.
Park Center, a nonprofit organization, is deeply committed to providing essential support to individuals seeking mental health, substance use, and homelessness support, to live and work in their communities. Throughout my time with the organization, I’ve actively engaged with both the organization and the community to strengthen and expand our outreach services programmatically and operationally. This strategic effort has been instrumental in filling gaps in the systems and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community.
My passion lies in identifying and addressing gaps within the support systems available in Nashville. Through firsthand experiences, which include spending hours under bridges and in encampments, listening to individuals’ needs, providing support to our dedicated staff in their efforts to secure affordable and sustainable housing, and coordinating with our street medicine teams to address urgent medical or psychiatric needs where people are living, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the challenges our community faces.
Having experienced a medical condition myself, I’m also able to support others in a unique and empathetic way. This personal journey has instilled in me a profound understanding of the challenges and fears that individuals facing health-related issues encounter. It has also nurtured a deeper sense of resilience and a stronger desire to make a positive impact than I had prior to my diagnosis.
Being in my new position since January 2023, I’ve been able to use these experiences to better equip me to effectively convey stories that raise awareness, secure crucial funding, and educate volunteers who play an essential role in our mission. Being part of this transformative journey is a profound honor, and my commitment remains dedicated to contributing to our collective goal of cultivating a more resilient and compassionate community.
In my role as Director of Philanthropy at Park Center, I aim to harness these experiences to further our mission and foster a sense of community within our organization. By sharing the lessons I’ve learned, both personally and professionally, and advocating for those who we work with, I hope to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. It’s not just a job for me; it’s a calling, and I’m committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. **Empathy: ** Empathy has been at the core of my ability to connect with and support others since the beginning of my career. Having experienced the challenges and uncertainties that come with a medical condition along with all the work I have accomplished over the last 16 years in the field, I can truly understand a small portion of the path people experiencing homelessness are on when facing health-related issues. This empathy allows me to approach each person with a genuine desire to help and a deep understanding of their needs.
2. **Effective Communication: ** The skill of effective communication has been instrumental in my journey. Being a natural verbal processor, I’ve honed my ability to listen actively and express myself clearly. This skill has been invaluable when interacting with individuals seeking support, as it fosters a sense of trust and open dialogue, enabling me to better meet their needs.
3. **Resilience and Adaptability: ** My personal journey has instilled in me a sense of resilience and adaptability. Overcoming challenges related to my own medical condition has taught me the importance of perseverance and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This quality has helped me not only in my own life but also in my role at Park Center, where I constantly encounter unique and evolving challenges.
These three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge have shaped my journey and continue to be essential in my mission to support others in their own recovery and to make a positive impact in our community.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I’m the type of person who experiences emotions quite profoundly, and frequently, they are evident to those in my immediate circles. Due to my past medical trauma, I frequently encounter moments of overwhelm, but I have refused to let it define my character. I tend to be someone who processes thoughts via social media journaling and verbally, which may give the impression of increased stress to those observing from the outside. Without the benefit of internal dialogue to reflect and deliberate, I find it necessary to engage in online and external conversations. In the case of verbally processing with someone, I always make a point of asking people if they have the time and space for me to share and process my thoughts, as this demonstrates my respect for their time and emotional capacity.
In situations where a confidant is not readily available, I often choose to take a walk or go for a skate or bike ride. This serves the dual purpose of allowing me to engage in physical activity, which releases endorphins, and gives me the mental space I need to regain my inner balance.
Throughout my journey, particularly in the context of my battle with cancer, I’ve come to understand the significance of “scanxiety.” To cope with the anxiety and stress associated with medical scans and their results, I make a deliberate choice to bike to and from these appointments. This practice helps me stay centered and grounded before and after receiving the crucial scan results.
Through the overwhelm and processing I participate in, I’m able to connect with individuals on a personal level, for us to not feel so alone, and to provide a source of inspiration and hope. I believe that sharing our own experiences can be a powerful tool for healing and empowerment, as it allows everyone to draw strength from the shared experiences and stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.parkcenternashville.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkcenternashville/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkCenterNashville
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-blum-72104b262/
- Youtube: @parkcenternashville
- Other: Ashley Blum Personal Instagram: @nurse_to_the_scars
