Originally Published in Green Bay Parish Neighbors West, published by Decided Excellence Catholic Media
As a caregiver working three jobs, Brittany Dulak spends long hours helping others. She has been a personal care worker for a boy with multiple disabilities for the past 13 years. Additionally, she has worked as a certified nursing assistant in the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Unit at Woodside Lutheran Home for 10 years. Then, two years ago, she started working as a support staff member at Bridge the Gap, a daily living skills center for people with disabilities.
Healthcare is Her Ministry
But instead of viewing these caregiving roles as jobs, she sees them as her ministry. Through her long days and nights of caregiving, Brittany tries to emulate St. Teresa of Calcutta. Sometimes, Brittany feels St. Teresa’s presence guiding her as a caregiver, so it’s no surprise that St. Teresa is Brittany’s favorite saint. Brittany grew up Catholic, and Faith is a central part of her life.
“It has allowed me to discover my calling into being a caregiver and led me to my three jobs,” she said.
Active at Nativity Parish & TEC
Brittany has been a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish for two years, and she sings in the parish choir, cantors, and serves as an aide for the Catechesis of the Good Shepard religious education classes. The parish is like another family to Brittany, and she has met many amazing people at the parish. She cherishes the relationships she has built at Nativity and also at Anchor of Hope TEC (Together Encountering Christ). TEC is a Catholic spiritual movement that flows from a dynamic retreat weekend into an intergenerational community of faith. While Brittany was in college at UW-Green Bay, she was struggling to get along with her roommate and was looking for a group of friends where she could just be herself. The music minister on campus introduced Brittany to Anchor of Hope TEC.
Feeling Christ’s Love in th TEC Community
“I was able to meet people who were learning to grow in their faith, both from the U.S. and around the world, who have become my faith family and support crew in my life journey,” Brittany said. “I can message any of them at any time, and they will stop-drop-and-pray with me.”
She feels Christ’s love through the TEC community’s prayers and relationships, and she found the strength she needed to handle the problems she was having with her roommate and other trials in life.
“I am now able to work the retreats and help others grow in their relationship with God, which is the best gift that I can give,” she said.
Volunteering for TEC & Camp Daniel
In addition to volunteering at TEC retreats, Brittany serves on the TEC Board of Directors. She also volunteers as a camp counselor at Camp Daniel, in Athelstane, Wisconsin. Camp Daniel provides people with disabilities opportunities for safe and fun Northwoods camping experiences. Brittany loves the outdoors and enjoys spending time at the family cabin in Three Lakes. She also enjoys singing, playing volleyball, reading, traveling, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers. She has two cats, Cole and Riggs.
Kenosha Native Now Living in Green Bay
Brittany is a Kenosha native who graduated from Kenosha Tremper High School and UW-Green Bay with a major in Spanish and minors in Human Development and Mathematics. Her parents are Jeff and Elizabeth Dulak, and she has a brother, Matt, a sister, Stefanie (Nigel) Beknall, and two nieces, Amina and Hartley. Like St. Teresa of Calcutta, Brittany found her purpose in life by loving and caring for others. One of Brittany’s favorite quotes is this famous saying of St. Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.”
