What If Real Reform Starts With You

We dig into what reform can look like on the ground: showing respect to every person who walks through the door, holding boundaries, and refusing to let cynicism turn you into the kind of officer the public fears. Nancy shares how she teaches students to make change the slow way, like turning a battleship, by holding the line on ethics and professional conduct. Then we shift into the human side of heavy work: how to “recharge the battery” with friendships, community volunteering, and routines that bring genuine joy back into your week. 

Nancy Alleyne

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-a-aa244848/

Nancy also opens up about being a 15-year breast cancer survivor and what that experience taught her about self-care, listening to your body, and why you cannot give from an empty cup. We spotlight two nonprofits that make a direct local impact: Feeding South Florida’s work fighting food insecurity in food deserts and disaster response, plus Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the push to fund research and support families. 

Join us as we support Feeding South Florida and American Cancer Society this month!

If this conversation moves you, check the links, donate if you can, and help us spread it. Subscribe to Friends From Wild Places, share this with someone who cares about justice, self-care, or community support, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.

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Transcript

Show Intro And Mission

Voiceover 0:03

Tales from the Wild. Stories from the Heart. A journey into the mind and soul of finding business professionals where they share their vision for the future. And hear from a different non-profit organization every month as they create awareness of their goals and their needs. Dive into a world of untamed passion. As we join our host, Shireen Botha, for this month's episode of Friends from Wild Places.

Hope For Future Justice Leaders

Shireen Botha 0:34

You know, talking about that, right? You're a mentor for the next generation of law enforcement, lawyers, and criminologists through Alpha Phi Sigma, I think you mentioned. Given how chaotic and divided the world feels right now, what is giving you the most hope about the students entering the justice system today? Okay.

Nancy Alleyne 0:58

Well, as an advisor for Alpha Phi Sigma, which is a criminal justice honor society, um, I get to see the best and the brightest of the students because they have to have a 3.2 GPA in order to be um considered for membership in that. So with that, I groom leaders. I groom um individuals who know what they want and are ready to go out there and make a difference in the world. And what I'm seeing is the students, they know what the issues are. They they know what the issues are, they know what needs to be done, they know what's at stake. And many of them, um, and not being, you know, pie-in-the-sky unicorn thinking, they know it's going to be an uphill battle in changing institutions, just them themselves, but they understand that they can bring about a change on an individual basis by being a different kind of officer, uh, by being a different kind of criminal justice profession.

A Subway Lesson In Respect

Nancy Alleyne 2:04

Um, and I give my example um when I was, I think a week on the job, I was shadowing a senior probation officer. She was training me. And, you know, all week long, I'm following, I'm taking notes. I'm and then, you know, I think it was like on a Thursday or so, Thursday or Friday, she said, okay, now you're ready. The next person that comes in, you know, you take over, right? So, like, okay, I could do this, right? So I sat there and I interviewed him, and then it went well, right? So my day ended, and I'm getting ready to go home. And I'm standing on the platform of the A-train, and I turn around and I look and I see somebody that looks familiar to me, but no one should look familiar to me because this is my first time in this area, right? It was uh area of Brooklyn. So why is anybody looking familiar to me? So I realized that this person that looks familiar to me, I seen this person and interviewed this person earlier that morning, like nine o'clock in the morning, interviewed him. It's now four o'clock in the afternoon. And it was like a light bulb went off. And I said, Oh wow, if I didn't recognize him and he recognized me, and I was just a sour type of individual, um, really nasty, right? Could he have pushed me off the platform because he wanted to get back at me for being such a nasty probation officer? And that point, ladies, that is what triggered in me the I said, I can't be nasty. I need to be a respectable probation officer. I need to respect these individuals who are coming in. Many of them have made bad decisions, but that does not negate their humanity. They're still human and they still deserve a measure of respect, regardless of what I think about what they did. I've had sex offenders on my caseload. I've had us people who robbed, people who are assaulted, people who stole stuff. Regardless of who's coming in before me, I give them a measure of respect, right? That's due to them because I'm a professional. And this is what I drill into my students, regardless of what you see out there in the field. Be the professional. That's how we bring about change. Because you see a lot of times now that there are some law enforcement professionals out there who are not professional. So I drill into them that it's you need to be professional at all time, regardless of what they've done. I mean, I've had sex offenders, I mean, molesting babies, regardless of what they've done. Be a professional. And I think they understand that and they realize that in order to bring about a change in an institution that's very slow to change, you know, it's like a you know, how do you, you know, make a uh battleship U-turn, right? It's gonna be a slow, slow U-turn, right? So they realize that change has to begin with them, right? Once they can hold on to their ethics, once they can hold on to their professionalism, change will happen, but they have to hold on to it. They have to hold on to it. So yeah, that a lot of them say, Yes, I want to do it because you know, this is what I I I believe in, this is the change I want. Um, and I tell them the realities of it as well.

Shireen Botha 6:11

Sure. Thank you, Nancy. Isn't that beautiful? Wow, Tanya, do you know what to ask Nancy anything else before we move on to the nonprofit?

Tanya Scotece 6:20

Yes, actually, well, I have two two questions, Nancy. So one is so in in hearing your work, your day-to-day, like either, you know, previous before you got into academia, now that you're professor, you know, it's it's a very, it's well, let me just project.

Finding Joy Outside Heavy Work

Tanya Scotece 6:36

It seems like, you know, it's a very heavy topic at times, dealing with the types of cases, the types of people, the types of offenders, the types, all these situations. How do you escape from that? Like, what do you do in your spare time or free time? Or what brings you joy, you know, just to see the good in few people, you know, as opposed to all the criminals out there and you know, like all the things going bad. Like what brings you, what sparks joy in Nancy?

Nancy Alleyne 7:04

Hanging out with my girlfriends spark joy. Um, volunteering sparks joy. Um, I'm usually, if I'm not teaching or in the classroom somewhere somehow, I am volunteering. And that recharges my battery because now I get to give back to um society. I get to give back to my community and that uplifts me. So whether it be um uh uh an uh unhoused advocacy, whether it be feeding South Florida, whether it be making strides against breast cancer, I'm out there uh giving back. And then that recharges me. And so then I could come back to the classroom and say, okay, guys, let's go again, right? And also hanging out with my friends, um, you know, one-on-one, just you know, venting and and and just being encouraged and just receiving love and light. And and that recharges me.

Tanya Scotece 8:07

Yeah, yeah, interesting, interesting. So, and along your your journey, Nancy, has there been any like trials or tribulations that maybe you could share with your listeners? I don't know, any personal challenges, health challenges, anything that's kind of come your way that maybe you know, like you had to stop for a moment. And and if so, you know, how did you overcome that or through it, I should say, if if anything?

Nancy Alleyne 8:32

Sure.

Breast Cancer Survival And Self-Care

Nancy Alleyne 8:33

Um currently I am a 15-year uh breast cancer survivor, uh, warrior, I like to say. And um that me in my tracks. It really did stop me in my tracks. Um, what I've learned from it is that I need to take better care of myself. And I have been on that journey of self-care ever since because I think I was putting everything and everyone before myself. Um, I was putting my marriage before myself, I was putting my career before myself, I was putting everything before myself. Um, and that did not allow me to take the time to um really take care of my health. Um and and and that's partly why I'm part of the the making strides for breast cancer, because I wanted other women to understand that it's it's necessary, it's important, it's imperative that you stop and listen to your body and heal your body and heal your spirit with good food, good nutrition, exercise, go outside and walk, right? There's so many research that says that going for a walk not only heals the mind, but it also heals the body. Just go for a walk, go outside, go to the beach, go to the forest, go to a park, right? And and understand your body, understand yourself so that you can be able to give, right? So we can't give from an empty cup. Our cup has to be full first, right, in order for us to give. But many of us are giving from empty cups, and we women suffer the most from it because our cup is empty, we don't have anything there to sustain us, and our health suffers greatly.

Tanya Scotece 10:32

Yeah, yeah. It was and it was interesting that you mentioned that because you did mention the strides against breast cancer. In what capacity um did you uh how did you find them to either like to volunteer back? For example, like did you find them while you you were going through your journey yourself? And then you started volunteering. How did how did that where was that connection?

Nancy Alleyne 10:52

Or it was after I I I think once I came out the shunts that I had to go through all of that. Um and and I was okay. I said, okay, now it's time that I I am the shunk. Um I can now talk about this traumatic event that has happened to me. So now I'm able to help other women. Um I went to an open house in 2018, I believe it was. I did a walk in 2017 and I went to an open house um in 2018 where they were looking for volunteers, and I've been volunteering ever since. I am currently now the volunteer lead. So if you want to volunteer, right, for um events, uh the day of walk, which in Broward is going to be October 17th, um, I'm the volunteer lead. I collect all the volunteers, I put them in place, we have fun. We're out there with um, you know, upwards of 20,000 people, um, just all there for a um the same mindset, and which is to find a cure for breast cancer.

Tanya Scotece 12:15

Beautiful, beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Yes, and I like the warrior. I like the warrior name. Absolutely. Thank you.

Nancy Alleyne 12:22

Thank you.

Shireen Botha 12:23

Thank you, Nancy. And yes, uh, we have talking about the nonprofit. Now, uh, you suggested two of them, and we've supported uh the breast cancer or the cancer society. So this time around, we'd really like to support feeding southflorida.org. You don't mind just taking some time and listeners will have all that information in the show notes or the donation links or whatever the case may be needed will be in the show notes. But Nancy, would you mind just sharing with us, you know, a little bit more about the actual organization and what it does for the community and then how we can help?

Feeding South Florida And Food Deserts

Nancy Alleyne 13:03

Okay, so feeding South Florida. Um I I don't I stumbled upon Feeding South Florida, but I am so glad that I did. Their mission speaks to my heart because there are so many individuals who are um uh they're lacking uh resources, they're lacking uh food, right? So they're food insecure. Um, Miami Dade College happens to be in a food desert, and a food desert is an area where there um is no uh uh supermarkets within walking distance or within a mile, right? So many of our communities are like that, right? So we have these food deserts. Um, many people, because they've lost their jobs, are food insecure. So Feeding South Florida is able to provide families with an opportunity to receive social service resources as well as food. Um, every dollar, I believe, uh is able to feed uh or provide four meals that Feeding South Florida is able. And any disaster, hurricanes, floods, feeding South Florida is out there. They're able to provide meals, meals, um uh bagged lunges, bagged meals. Um, they're also able to um give support to families who maybe you know didn't think that they would be in a position, right? Many of us, the economic status has changed a lot in society, and feeding South Florida is able to do that. Making strides for breast cancer. If anyone, um many of us have been affected by some sort of cancer, right? Um, and many women, um, I believe the statistics is one in eight women will be diagnosed at some point in their lifetime with breast cancer. Um, it does not only affect women, but also men can be diagnosed with breast cancer as well. Um, self-checking um is very important. Do your monthly, biweekly self-check if anything seems off with your body, and be your advocate, right? Regardless of your age. Many times um women go undiagnosed because they say, oh no, you're too young for breast cancer, right? Be your advocate. Shout from the ceiling, shout from the rooftop. There's something wrong here. Um, men, just because you're a man, you can get be diagnosed with breast cancer. Feel, touch, know your body, know what it looks like, know what it feels like. So it's very important. We're um the the making strides for breast cancer awareness walk happens in Miami Dade. It happens in Broward, um, it happens in Palm Beach County, and all um states have some form of making strides for breast cancer. Um, we're looking for a cure. Our goal for Broward this year is a million dollars. I believe that we can raise a million dollars. We got close last year, you know, in the 800,000 range. So the websites are there, click on it. You can support your donations are greatly appreciated. Know that with these two um organizations, upwards of 90% of your donation goes to sure research or goes to sure um people who are being served in the community. It does not go to overhead, or that's over 90%.

Shireen Botha 16:54

Wow. Thank you.

How To Donate And Why It Matters

Shireen Botha 16:56

Thank you. So, listeners, if you have some time, go look at the show notes, click on the links, go check it out, find some more information on those uh organizations, and take the time to donate and help somebody, help somebody. Um, it's really uh goes a long way. A little does go a long way. So, with that, let's get into the little bit more lighthearted part of the podcast.

Two Truths And A Lie Game

Shireen Botha 17:22

So, this we're gonna play a little bit of a game, Nancy. Today's game will be two truths and a lie. So basically, each person will mention two truths about themselves, it can be anything, and then they will sneak in one lie, and the other two will figure out which one is the lie. So, with that, who would like to go first?

Tanya Scotece 17:48

I have to pull one together. Hold on a second.

Nancy Alleyne 17:52

Uh oh.

Tanya Scotece 17:56

So uh okay. Let me go ahead then. Let me go first.

Shireen Botha 18:01

I have uh one sister and a brother. I walked 900 kilometers through Portugal and Spain, um, consecutively, you know, just walk straight through. And I was born in Africa, right? Which is the lie.

Tanya Scotece 18:30

Wow. What do you think, Nancy? You go first.

Nancy Alleyne 18:40

Um the nine hundred kilometers? Okay.

Tanya Scotece 18:47

What do you think? Um, you know, I mean it's funny when you said that you were born in Africa. I'm not I think you were, but I'm not a hundred percent that, and the siblings I'm just kind of mixed up at the moment. So um I'm gonna go with the the siblings.

Shireen Botha 19:08

Okay, so the lie is Nancy's correct, is 900 kilometers. It was only it was only um sorry, 768 kilometers. So I added a few hundred kilometers to that. So that's the lie. But yes, I was born in Africa, and yes, I have a brother and a sister.

Tanya Scotece 19:32

Okay, you know what's so funny, Shereen. You always throw me off with the kilometers because I don't know kilometers. Every time she's doing it saying about the degrees, I haven't I can't reference anything. My brain just does not work in that capacity. So, all right, fair enough, Shereen. Fair enough. That's it. Okay, all right, I'll go next. Okay, so let's see. I do Pilates, I've traveled to Italy and I love Mexican food. That's really hard.

Shireen Botha 20:05

I'm gonna say, I'm gonna. Jeez, I'm gonna say you darn like Mexican food. That's the lot.

Tanya Scotece 20:17

How about you, Nancy? Pilates. Okay, so actually, Shireen is correct. I am not a big fan of Mexican food. Like, like I don't, I mean, I go to Mexico, but um, there's certain when we say Mexican food in the US, it's not my top choice. So, yes, I know I've been using Pilates for probably 10 months, maybe now, Nancy. Yeah, yeah, always trying to trying to, as you said, you know, self-care, trying to improve flexibility, stretchability. So, yeah, very important. Let's hear from you.

Nancy Alleyne 21:04

I was a gymnast.

Tanya Scotece 21:14

What was the first one you helped people jump out of windows? You made people jump out of windows. Um I'm gonna say the first one.

Shireen Botha 21:30

I'm gonna say you made people jump out of windows is the lie.

Tanya Scotece 21:37

I'm just gonna go with the second. I'll just I don't know if the gymnast, I'm not sure. I'll just say that one.

Nancy Alleyne 21:42

I don't look athletic.

Tanya Scotece 21:43

What are you saying? No, no, no, no, no, no.

Nancy Alleyne 21:49

We're just so the lie, Tanya, is I was not a gymnast.

Tanya Scotece 21:54

Okay. Whether you were a gym or not.

Nancy Alleyne 22:03

I did. Well, people jumped out the window. All right. Whether I made them, you yeah. Um, as a fraud investigator, you know, I had to go door to door, you know, looking for fraud, looking for the anytime they saw me coming, hear me coming, saw my badge. Some people would jump out the window. And they would go because they know they were about to be caught. So instead of being caught, many of them just left and and they left out the window.

Tanya Scotece 22:38

Wow. That's funny. But you could that's that's like you that should be like the title of your book. I don't know if you've written a book, but that that could be one of the titles of the book.

Shireen Botha 22:46

I agree. I agree.

Where To Find And Contact Us

Shireen Botha 22:49

Ah, listeners, thank you so much for joining us. I'm so sad to say we've come to the end of our podcast, but we're just gonna take some time. This is the time when if you really are inspired or you have any questions for us and you want to reach out to any of us, we're going to just take a moment now and uh let you know some of the places you can contact us. So, Nancy, do you want to let the nurses know where they can find you?

Nancy Alleyne 23:15

I'm on LinkedIn. Um, if you type in Nancy Aline, it'll pop right up. Um, hit me up. Uh, I would love to connect with you on LinkedIn.

Shireen Botha 23:25

Nice.

Tanya Scotece 23:26

Tanya? Sure, same place. Uh, also on LinkedIn. And uh just to give a shout out. So I am a full-time professor at Miami Dade College in the funeral service education program. So if anybody's interested in learning more about that, I also serve as a senior placement specialist, matching people with communities who can no longer live alone. Um, the most popular population that I do work with is usually the Alzheimer's, uh, Louis Body Dentia, um, cerebrovascular dementia. So I cover the east and west coast of Florida. There's no charge to utilize my service. We get paid directly by the community if we make a match. And lastly, I serve as an expert witness uh quite regularly for funeral, home, and cemetery cases. So if anybody has any um issues, either um it could be an attorney or uh family, whatever side um I'm happy to serve as long as I'm speaking for the voiceless. And how about you, Shireen?

Shireen Botha 24:24

Awesome, thank you, ladies. Yes, you can find me on LinkedIn, uh, Instagram, and Facebook. Uh Shireen's Bookkeeping is also found on each of those socials as well as LinkedIn. Uh, Friends from Wild Places. This is why you've come. You can find us on all the live streams, Deezer, Apple, iTunes, uh, Spotify, anywhere you can stream your podcasts or your music. You just have to search for Friends from Wild Places and then you'll find us. We're also on YouTube. So if you want to see our faces and hear us, you can go there. Please leave a message, tell us what you think, um, leave a review. We really appreciate your feedback. Uh well, we do have a website which is friends from wildplaces.buzzsprout.com. That's friends from wildplaces.buzzsprout.com. You can find us there as well. And with that, thank you so much for listening. And remember, you got this and stay wild. Bye, guys. Bye, everybody.

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Voiceover 25:27

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