Erin Mone was Marissa Larma's direct supervisor for the last six months of her Peace Corps service and technical trainer previously. She writes that Marissa was a true asset to the program, dedicated to working with children and youth in Costa Rica. Marissa upheld the values of the Peace Corps constitution and enhanced her Spanish abilities by fully integrating into Costa Rican culture. Erin describes Marissa as an innovative self-starter who improves systems and looks for alternative solutions to challenges through her creativity and determination. This is evident in Marissa's work on sensitive topics like sexuality with various groups in Costa Rica, communicating alternatives respectfully across cultures. Erin recommends Marissa and offers to provide more details.

1. Applicant: Marissa Larma
Erin Mone, MSW, MEd
Unit 2505
Apo AA
34020-9505
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To Whom it May concern:
I had been Marissa Larma’s direct supervisor for the last six months of her Peace Corps Service,
and previous to that, her technical trainer while she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa
Rica in the Children, Youth and Families at Risk Program. I have known Marissa for over 4
years.
She was a true asset to the program in terms of her enthusiasm, creativity, analysis of how the
program can be improved, but most importantly her dedication to working with children and
youth in Costa Rica. It was a true pleasure working with her during her service.
Marissa is of the highest caliber of professionals who has gone above and beyond upholding the
values expressed in our Constitution, Bill of Rights and the goals of the Peace Corps. Her ability
to enhance her Spanish abilities, live in a foreign country and integrate fully into another culture
and community apart form her own, was exemplary. Marissa is an innovative self-starter, who
rarely needs supervision, but asks for guidance when it is needed. She is a team player who looks
for ways to not only improve her own work, but is a leader in terms of improving systems as a
whole.
Marissa’s creativity, flexibility and determination guided her through her two years of Peace
Corps Service as well as her current endeavor in graduate school as she continuously seeks
alternative solutions to challenges presented. In the programming area she was always able to
find the necessary local resources to meet the needs of her particular community.
This is evident in the work she carried out with young people dealing with sensitive topics such
as issues of sexuality with a variety of populations (including young people, parents, community
leaders, church leaders, etc.). Her ability to communicate alternative options in another language
and do so while respecting cultural differences and challenges has been exemplary. In addition,
her work with adolescents to help build their self-esteem and empower them to live healthier
more competent lives will impact not only those individuals, but also an entire community.
These are just two examples of her superior skills and admirable work ethics she acco. mplished
in the 27 months of working directly with her.
If you would like to discuss her attributes in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Erin Mone
Peace Corps
Program Director
Children, Youth and Families

2. Applicant: Marissa Larma
Phone: 011-506-231-4122 ext 214
e-mail: emone@cr.peacecorps.gov
This is a personal letter of recommendation and does not in any way represent the government of
the United States of America or Peace Corps as an agency.