"Once, after a few COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, I was in a grocery store parking lot walking my cart back to my car. Three men were shouting and cursing, fighting over a curbside pickup parking spot. They were blocking traffic, causing a scene, nearing a fist fight. A young grocery worker, collecting carts, looked terrified. I approached him and suggested he go into the store to get help. Next, I caught the attention of these men by instinctively putting my hands up and shouted STOP very loudly, multiple times. I asked them to calm down and explain the issue at hand. After I got the full picture, I reminded them that the pandemic impacted us all, and isolation put a tension on everyone, and that we're all in this together. I then suggested, rather than throwing punches, they put their fists to good use and play rock, paper, scissors for the parking spot. They all looked at me wildly, and after a moment, started laughing. By the time help arrived from inside the store, I had all three men apologizing to each other for their behavior. They later shook hands and laughed it off."

"I have had to de-escalate many situations in my volunteer and work experience and my day-to-day life. When it comes to de-escalation techniques, I prefer to stay calm yet firm, listen carefully, be non-judgemental, and use humor if it's appropriate. I feel blessed to live where I do, and to have the niceties that I have, a solid upbringing, and opportunity. So I go through life with gratitude and want to give back. Too many people walk away from tough situations. But I'll let those in need know that I'll stick around and help if I can. Most often, people are angry, because every ignores or neglects them, and that can be dehumanizing. They just want the satisfaction of feeling heard, being seen, being validated, and receiving a little empathy. This is especially true if this person has been overlooked or disenfranchised. So I try to be present, remaining calm, establishing boundaries while showing I care."