PICTURE OF GRATITUDE Amy Jandrisevits ' 95 makes handmade dolls for special kids who many never see dolls like them on store shelves .
“ What I ’ m bringing to this is my own skill set of knowing kids and , well , very practical sewing skills . We all have something to bring to the table .”
— AMY JANDRISEVITS ’ 95 drive to care for other people . “ UC San Diego does such an amazing job of keeping their foot in the community ,” she says , remembering her days as a student in the Community Service Club , where she volunteered at a local AIDS treatment center and homeless shelters in the area . That time spent volunteering instilled a lifelong devotion to support others . “ Amy has always been very passionate and willing to go fight for a cause ,” recalls her former suitemate , Danielle Pederson ’ 95 .
After UC San Diego and graduate school at CSU Long Beach , Jandrisevits did social work for children , where she used dolls in play therapy , a method in which dolls mimic real life situations . Yet all too often she found that their appearance wasn ’ t reflective of the children playing with them . This issue stayed with her over the years as she raised her three children and decided to start A Doll Like Me .
“ What I ’ m bringing to this is my own skill set of knowing kids and , well , very practical sewing skills ,” Jandrisevits explains . “ We all have something to bring to the table .”
Jandrisevits manages the nonprofit from home , where her dining table serves as her unofficial work desk , complete with sewing machine , thread , fabric and other supplies spread about . With all the recent attention , she hopes she can produce more dolls while still keeping things handmade , as she now receives more doll requests than ever . But along with the increased demand , she is encouraged by the people who have likewise stepped up to support the organization and sponsor dolls . “ No family should have to pay for this ,” she says . “ It ’ s something that should come from the community .”
Learn more at tritonmag . com / dolls
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