SUN CITY – Phyllis and Dan Witt of N. 22 are extremely proud of their grandson, Erik Franzen. Erik, who is 28 years old, received his Bachelors Degree in both Journalism and Spanish while attended Carthage College in Wisconsin and received a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Aurora University in Il. What makes Erik unique, though, is that his education and passion for helping people have been stepping stones for what he is about to embark on for the next 27 months.
“Erik is not the kind of person who left college looking to make big money. We are very proud of his values. They are refreshing and different from the graduates of younger generations. He is not out to try to get the mighty dollar. He wants to make a difference in people’s lives, especially those who are deprived,” his grandfather, Dan, says.
Phyllis, his grandmother, greatly admires Erik. “He is an independent thinker; he thinks outside the box. He is not into materialistic things; he makes money and saves it, not spending it on toys like today’s youth do, then asking parents to help out when the money runs out. He has always worked to make a difference. He is a great humanitarian.”
Erik’s fluent Spanish and his educational background have been beneficial in his employment. While in college, he spent a semester in Spain, did missionary work in Mexico, and for the past few years has worked with Congressman Bill Foster of Illinois. His primarily function with the Congressman was helping with immigration problems, especially for the Hispanic population.
Prior to working with the Congressman, Erik worked in two homeless shelters, one in St. Charles for adults and one in Aurora for children.
“These jobs really gave insight to who Erik was and is. He really enjoyed and loved that type of work. He is a very bright, empathetic young man. He has always wanted to help the underdog—people who are homeless, have immigrations problems, etc.,” Dan says.
Erik recently made a life-altering decision that have made his grandparents very proud. He did not want to stay in the political area indefinitely, so he resigned his position and signed up to work for the Peace Corps as a volunteer. He will be using his background and language skills in the Dominican Republic.
According to the Peace Corp website, “The organization was established in 1961 by Senator John F. Kennedy, not as a military venture, but as a way to help promote peace in different countries. To date, there have been over 200,000 volunteers who have traveled to over 139 countries. Their work has been in the areas of education, business, health, environment, and youth development.”
Erik left on Wednesday for Washington, DC, where he is attending a three-day orientation that will teach him the basics of the cultures and ways of life in the Dominican Republic. He is not sure what his assignment will be, but he believes that he will be working with local communities and helping in the development of youth centers.
Next week, he will leave for the Dominican Republic, where, for the next three months, local professionals will teach and help him assimilate to their culture first-hand. By December, he will begin his actual work. He will receive a modest salary and housing with a Dominican family.
Erik will be keeping a blog, or internet journal, of what he is doing in the Dominican Republic. This way, his family and friends can be updated frequently on his activities. His mother plans to visit him there as well.
Phyllis and Dan know that Erik is special. They are excited that their grandson is not like most men in their twenties and thirties. They know that Erik is destine to make great changes in life, not only on his own, but with others as well. And what they are most impressed with is that it comes from his heart.
