Monthly Archives: June 2016

I Have Exited My Comfort Zone and I Do Not Intend to Return

At the beginning of the CAPS Fellows process, I had no idea where I’d end up. I’m leaving for a year abroad in Germany in late August, so spending the summer closer to home was somewhat important to me. Besides joining an organization whose values matched my own and a group that I felt passionate about, being near Valpo was my only criteria. I came in for an interview and met Kris Pate, the Executive Director of the United Way of LaPorte County.

Fast forward a couple months. I’m just about done with my first 4 weeks at the United Way of LaPorte County. I’ve been at Valpo for 3 years now and I’ve been involved in numerous organizations. Yet I am still surprised every single day by what goes on in our Northwest Indiana community. I work in Michigan City and am astounded by the number of people whose only job is to improve the community in which they live. I’ve met so many people who go to work every day with the challenge of ending homelessness or providing every elementary school student with food or ending poverty. The most surprising thing is the amount of collaboration and communication between not-for-profit organizations in LaPorte County. These groups have realized that by pooling their expertise and resources, they can accomplish much more than if they just worked alone on their individual initiatives. The people who work for these different organizations are smart. They think quickly. They jump on new opportunities constantly. They learn and act and learn and act, constantly honing in on the best way to impact the community. These people change lives.

You may also be interested in what I’m doing, so I’ll give you a brief update on that. I’m working primarily with social media, public relations, and marketing. In the second week of working I was given the passwords to all of the social media accounts. The instructions? “Go. Learn.” Let me be clear, I am not a social media wizard. If I was, I would be way more popular. But I do possess the ability to learn. So that’s what I did. Tweeting daily was the first big task, but I figured that out rather quickly. Next was Instagram. I don’t know why United Way needs Instagram, but I personally like it and they had an account. The United Way of LaPorte County has an annual golf outing, so Charlie, a fellow intern and CAPS Fellow, and I started making short clips advertising the event. The United Way staff already had a handle on Facebook, so I just add content as needed. YouTube, on the other hand, was, and continues to be, a very different monster.

This is where I left. Imagine my comfort zone as a skyscraper. Now imagine that got onto the roof and, with a running start, jumped off. Now watch this video.

When I jumped out of my comfort zone, I didn’t land cleanly. You may have picked up on that during the course of the video. I did, however, have the chance to write an original rap, find music to put it to, and enlist Charlie to star in the production. Don’t worry, my lyrics aren’t copyrighted. In fact, I hope everyone starts singing about the 2-1-1 services offered in their area. This video is goofy and uncomfortable, but I’m broadening my horizons around what I’m able to do. The next video may not win an Oscar either, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be in the running for a Daytime Emmy.

Do your feet smell?

“What is that you said you are studying? Global Service? Is that a major? I’ve never heard of it before. And an engineering minor you say?

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I do have some time on the weekends! Enough to go see the view of Chicago from Navy Pier.

I always get these questions when I share my career as a student at Valparaiso University. I almost dread the questions, because I always have to explain my entire life-plan for it to really make sense.

Whenever I get these questions, I think about how there is a huge opportunity to use engineering in the field of development. But not only to build things, there is a need for people concerned with efficiency and sustainability, people with the mind of an engineer, in this field. I think about how there is a need for people who can draw on their technical knowledge to make practical plans, people who can communicate and research, and who tend to look from every angle to creatively develop solutions to ever arising problems. Engineers can fill the gap between an organization’s planning team and the technicians on the ground, preventing the in-cohesiveness that is present in many development projects around the world.

But how can I explain this all in the one-line answer that people expect?

I manage to stutter out something that includes the words ‘engineering’, ‘help’, and ‘developing countries’, and I’m usually satisfied that I had at least gotten the idea across.

Then, it’s not hard to tell that many people who have heard my elevator pitch life-plan tend to have some concerns about my future. I think it’s pretty nice of them to care about my future.

Generally, people tend to expect that I will work with a non-profit and so they worry that I won’t make any money. Then they begin to wonder whether an engineering minor is enough to provide technical expertise in engineering. These are fair concerns, and be assured, I have thought about them extensively. I’m not too bothered by the first one (and if you want extra reading I suggest you google the term ‘social business’–I find it fascinating!) but the second question has certainly caused me distress.

Last year when I was thinking about studying Global Service, the biggest thing that was holding me back from switching majors was that I didn’t know if an engineering minor would prepare me enough for what I want to do. Would people accept my input if I didn’t have an engineering degree? Would I be handicapped by not having taken some upper level engineering courses like Thermodynamics? Would I still be able to complete technical tasks without having a full major?

Eventually, and after much praying, I heard God calling me to study humanitarian work, even if it meant my future wouldn’t be as secure as it would be in the engineering field. But being able to surrender your future to him– that is what faith is about, is it not? So I became a Global Service major. All the same, a few weeks later I was thoroughly demoralized  by something a professor in the engineering department told me, ( a non-major), as I signed up for his 400 level course. Trying to be comforting, he told me not to worry, I would do just fine because the course would be mostly theoretical and I wouldn’t have to worry about doing any calculations. I knew for myself that I could handle doing calculations, I mean, I had completed almost all the same classes that any mechanical engineering major in my year would have, but what really got me down was that this professor was expecting me to be incapable of engineering work.

Through the CAPS fellowship, I was places with aqUV, a new company that manufactures water bottles that purify water from bacteria and viruses using UV-C light. Its philanthropic focus is to implement the technology in Haiti where clean water is a scarcity. Coming into my internship this summer, I was worried that people here would have lower expectations of me as well. I worried that either all the difficult technical work would be given to my partner Jacob, a senior mechanical engineering major who seemed more qualified to deal with it, or I worried that I would be given technical work, but that I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

My worry could not have been more misplaced.

The first day I came in, I was assigned a complicated, technical task. you can imagine my happiness when the first fear was demolished! The task was to design and create a machine that would stress test the bases of the water bottles to find out how many times they could run before some part, the UV bulb or the circuitry, failed. I was given a few tools– an arduino chip, a breadboard, and some wires– and I was told to go. For this project, I taught myself to code arduino, to use mosfets, displays, and micro-controllers; I drew circuit diagrams, made code flowcharts, designed parts and modeled them on a computer; I learned to solder electrical components, and to 3-D print parts. And finally, after it all, I felt like I had learned more in the first few days of my internship than I had the entire last semester of school!

Task 1: step by step

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Stage 1: Planning         Stage 2: Testing           Stage 3: Building          Stage 4: Test the finished product!

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Task 3 involves pumping water in and out of bottles.

Since then, I have not had a boring moment. My supervisor, Dr. Blood, is a fountain of information and ideas, and I have taken to fumbling for a pen and paper almost every time he speaks so as not to miss something important. I have even created a list entitled ‘Dr. Blood’s Idea List’ that I continue to add on to almost daily. My partner Jacob is a blast to work with and always willing to lend a hand, as long as he can make a few jokes along the way (in fact, the title was his idea). I have worked on about 5 tasks since I finished the stress test system, and I continue to learn about all kinds of things! One day I’ll learn about how electricity works within building, the next I’ll be discovering how to use solar panels to deliver energy, and then later I’ll be using water pumps, or making circuit boards. I find myself not only able to do my own work, but occasionally able to help with other people’s projects.

I have grown so much during my internship, not only in hands on abilities and knowledge, but most notably I think in my confidence in my ability to learn and to solve problems. I have been able to prove to myself that I can bring some engineering abilities to the humanitarian field, and I have been affirmed in the place that I felt God calling to me last year when I was debating a switch in majors. Of it all, I am most excited to travel to Haiti in a few weeks to implement some of the work we have been doing!

So if you’ve been reading this the whole time wondering the answer to the title question is, here you go: No, my feet do not smell, but my head is certainly running (shoutout to ebrown15), as I’m sure all the heads of interns are this summer! And all I can say is thank you to all who made this possible, learning all these things has certainly been priceless to me.

— Kortney Cena

¿Tu cabeza está corriendo? (Is your head running?)

“¿Tu cabeza está corriendo? (Is your head running?)” Asks one of the gentleman in detention I chat with at McHenry County Jail.

“¡Sí!” I reply with a smile. “Yes, my head is running!”

Throughout my weeks interning with the Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants (ICDI) in Chicago, Illinois, I have used more conversational Spanish than I have in my several years of studying the language. Speaking in Spanish was not something that I expected to do for my internship this summer. It was not something that was necessarily required when volunteering with the non-profit. However, I quickly learned that even though I was nervous and unconfident with my Spanish-speaking ability, taking the opportunity to use Spanish in conversation was something that made me a better minister to the people I was meeting.

Spanish materials that ICDI uses for pastoral ministry

Spanish materials that ICDI uses for pastoral ministry

Every Tuesday and Thursday, I drive to McHenry County Jail and Kenosha Detention Center to participate in pastoral care for men and women in detention. The volunteers that participate in this ministry engage in conversation with the men and women in detention and listen to the stories that the men and women in either facility wish to talk about. The conversation topics are vast. Sometimes the individuals will talk about Copa America and their favorite soccer team. Other individuals will bring up fashion. However, most conversations revolve around how an individual in detention is feeling, how their day is going, how their family is doing, and how their faith helps them stay positive amidst difficulty.

Both McHenry County Jail and Kenosha Detention Center have large Spanish-speaking populations. During my first day volunteering with the pastoral care team, I shadowed many different volunteers to gain an understanding of how conversations usually ran. I quickly noticed that there was a need for volunteers that spoke Spanish, and that many of the Spanish-speaking volunteers were talking with two, three, sometimes four individuals at a time. With the encouragement and support of the many volunteers with pastoral care, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try a conversation in Spanish.

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Since that day, all of the conversations I have had during my time volunteering with the pastoral care team have been in Spanish. Now, these conversations are not free from mistakes. I fumble with my vocabulary. I forget the words that I want to use. Every conversation I have with an individual or group usually begins with the disclaimer, “I’m sorry. I have errors in my grammar and I need to practice, but I want to talk with you and listen to you.” While some conversations end in a laugh or two at my expense, every conversation I have with a man or woman in detention teaches me a lesson. One conversation sticks out in my mind very clearly.

During one of my first few conversations in Spanish, I greeted a gentleman in Spanish with my initial disclaimer. I explained that I was a student and was with ICDI as a summer intern. The gentleman smiled and asked where I had learned Spanish. I told him that I was

Winter Room (9th Floor) of the Harold Washington Library in Chicago

Winter Room (9th Floor)- Harold Washington Library in Chicago

studying the language in school. For the next half hour, the two of us chatted about different Spanish dialects, the different languages spoken in his home country of El Salvador, and how difficult the English language can be to understand (even for native speaker!). After some time, there was a natural lull in our conversation. After a few moments, my conversation partner looked at me with a smile and asked if my head was running from all of the conversation. I laughed and replied yes. The man smiled and said,

“Parece tan cómoda. Cuando me senté, sonrió, inmediatamente comenzó una conversación conmigo y no pareció nervioso en absoluto. (You look so comfortable. When I sat down, you smiled, immediately started a conversation with me and didn’t look nervous at all.)”

I thanked the gentleman, and assured him that although I might look comfortable, I was incredibly nervous. I had made so many mistakes and I needed to practice more to be able to express myself more clearly.

In Spanish, he replied, “I know that it is difficult, and you might feel like you are struggling, but it means more to me and everyone else  that you are taking the time to speak the language of our hearts. What is even more beautiful is that you let US speak the language of our hearts, and you LISTEN to us. We cannot go outside here. We cannot see or feel the sun. But when you and the other volunteers come here, we can see the sun a little bit. That is a beautiful thing. You volunteers are beautiful disciples and give us hope.”

Chicago Sunrise

Chicago Sunrise

The conversation with the gentleman in detention helped me understand my position with the pastoral care team in a new way. The work that I was partaking in was not for my personal comfort. It was to serve others where they were at. It wasn’t as important for me to present as it was to be present.

My head is still running. It is running with questions and curiosity. It is running with new information about the immigration system in the United States. It is running with the memories of conversations had and relationships being made. My head is running, but I do not want to stop now. There is still so much to learn. There are more conversations to be had. And even if the words do not come out perfectly, I hope that I, along with the others involved in this ministry, can continue to bring a light into lives of the men and women in detention.

New Adventures in Familiar Places

photoMany of my peers have described exploring new cities and interacting with new people. However, I have been spending the past 5 weeks inside the building I already spend so much time in, Gellersen at Valparaiso University… Seems I may never leave.

But that’s alright because the University is a place that “prepares students to lead and serve in both church and society”, a perfect place to continue my journey. I search for a balance of engineering and humanitarian work, both subjects I am passionate about. While I am still waiting to see where this journey will take me, my experiences at Valpo have led me to a summer with aqUV through the CAPS program.

aqUV is a new company that manufactures water bottles with UV-C lighting to kill harmful pathogens in water as seen in the picture on the left. The bottle is activated wirelessly, waterproof and can be charged using solar panels. aqUV’s market are campers and hikers as well as developing countries as a part of their philanthropic arm.

I have been given multiple tasks to complete this summer, starting with a design and prototype of a non-mobile solar charging photo 2photo 1station. The station is casted out of concrete ensuring strength and stability while encapsulating the delicate electronics needed to charge the water bottle (solar panels, a battery pack, arduino etc.). This task included learning about micro controllers, 3-D printing a mold as well as making my own circuit board to go with it shown in the pictures on the right. 

Thus far other tasks included sizing solar panels for a guesthouse and two wells as well as using Monte Carlo Ray Tracing to determine if the UV light is effectively reaching everywhere in the bottle. Where my engineering education increases by the day and the knowledge I already have is tested by the hour. aqUV has toned my engineering skills.

I look forward to implement my work in Haiti at summer’s end and see the balance of engineering and humanitarian work that aqUV has used as the platform of its company. Whether or not aqUV’s balance is compatible with mine, only time will tell. Nevertheless, this summer will give me an opportunity to learn and serve in the best way I can through engineering.

Service? Service.

A big component of the CAPS program that really drew me towards it was the service aspect. When I first began to explore all of the placement options, I was sure that I’d end up at a non-profit, because I associated the two words. To be honest, where I’m interning couldn’t be further from a non-profit. Truth be told, I’m working for a big money organization. Venn strategies, my fellowship location, is a public affairs and consulting firm.

 

Everyone always asks me what exactly is a public affairs and consulting firm. Simply put, it’s a lobbying firm.

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Most of us shudder when we hear lobbying, thinking of outrageous sums of money in politics, people whose voices seem to be significantly louder or more powerful than the average American’s. Big tobacco, the NRA, manipulation, corruption, bribery…these are all things I used to think of when I thought about lobbying. In this I don’t think I was unique.

 

But the truth is, any interest out there likely has someone who lobbies on behalf of it. For interests both good and bad, there is somebody or some group out there lobbying for policies that protect or further that interest.

 

Lobbyists are not experts themselves on whatever subject matter is at hand. A lobbyist’s job is to act as intermediaries between private businesses, churches, coalitions, whomever wants to affect policy change, and those with the power to enact change. We know the ins and out of D.C., whether it be Capitol Hill, various government departments, think tanks, we work to develop strong coalitions and formulate the plan of attack. A successful lobbyist usually begins his or her career working on the Hill, and building their professional network-something that is crucial in the lobbying world.

 

Along with creating coalitions and meeting with political officials, we have to create a portfolio of documents to educate policy makers as well. As an intern, I work mostly with setting up the meetings and helping to collect the appropriate information. My tasks range from performing basic research, to putting together unintimidating yet informative documents to educate others on our cause, to attending relevant hearings or markups of a bill.

 

A hearing on a Mental Health bill I recently attended.

A hearing on a Mental Health bill I                     recently attended.

 

The service that we provide to our clients varies depending on both the client and the interest. In the case of my current project, which I am unfortunately unable to divulge, we are serving not only the companies in the coalition themselves, but truly all of their employees. The actions that we are taking on the Hill, if successful, could potentially save about a million US jobs in the long term.

 

For the longest time I struggled with feeling like I wasn’t performing the service aspect of the CAPS program. I’ve had to rewire my brain to understand that what Venn does is indeed is a service to many. Working at a for-profit company doesn’t mean that I am not providing a worthwhile service. Saving US jobs is a service to each individual who holds that job, and by extension a service to their family.

 

DC is a fantastic place to spend your CAPS fellowship. Life in DC moves fast, and there’s always something (free) to do. Whether it’s Jazz in the sculpture garden on a Friday night, shopping at Eastern Market and running into former President Bill Clinton, exploring local artwork, or seeing the Nats play (Go Cubs!), you won’t be disappointed in this city!

 

Meeting former President Bill Clinton!

Meeting former President Bill Clinton!

 

Go Cubs!

Go Cubs!

 

New Opportunities, New Experiences, and New Friendships

Even though I am only starting week four, I feel like I belong, like I have made great strides, like I have become a part of something pretty awesome. Where I work is different than what I am used to. When they said it was a small office, I assumed it would be like other places worked before- an office with 12-15 people. Just enough to get to know everyone pretty well, and maybe even a few would become friends. Well, when I got here on my first day, I arrived early, but the door was locked. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I made my way back to the car to wait another 30 minutes before trying again. After that, I was able to get in. That’s when I met Laura, the legal assistant/paralegal/doer-of-other-random-things. She introduced herself, informed me that Zac- the attorney and executive director would be late due to a last minute meeting, and showed me around the office. It was not the size of office I was used to. It only took aScreen Shot 2016-06-10 at 1.33.14 PM few minutes to realize that this was only an office of two (well, now three).

In that moment, I was surprised and not sure how the next few months would go. However, it did not take long to realize that having fewer people in the office would give me the opportunity to develop unique relationships with intelligent coworkers and work closely and ask questions of people who have more life and work experience than me.

Also, Charitable Allies is a small office, but one that has a large client base and makes a big impact in the nonprofit world. That meant that starting on day 1, I was given part of the workload, the ability to take on big responsibilities and learn about the legal world in a way I have not been able to before. I was essentially given a case to work on throughout the summer. Along with other responsibilities like writing news articles and doing work on policies for other charities and nonprofits, I will have time to build a case with evidence for one of the firm’s largest cases.

The last four weeks have brought opportunities, friendship, some challenges, but a lot of opportunities to learn. Within one week, Laura and I had found many similar points of interest and now, I consider her a friend. On day one, we realized that in addition to both being Valpo graduates, we also went to the same high school and are from the same side of town. Now, she has shared not only information and knowledge about tIMG_4445 (1)he legal world and the work that she has done over the last several years. I definitely look forward to more time to get to know her and growing in a work relationship and friendship.

Opportunities for learning, for networking, and for doing meaningful work have been abundant. Just this week, I shadowed a county prosecutor who let me go to court with her and allowed me to ask questions about her career path, her education, and things like work-life balance and finding a calling and purpose. Last week, I was able to attend the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance conference where I met professionals in the philanthropy world at community foundations, trusts, and more and got to attend various sessions learning about the intersections of philanthropies, nonprofits, improving quality of life, and more.

Entering into the nonprofit world was not something that I was new to four weeks ago. I have worked in three since I’ve been in college. But seeing it from the outside, from a legal perspective, and the philanthropy that makes this experience a unique opportunity to explore even more career paths that my life could take. I am looking forward to more weeks of learning, working, and developing relationships.

 

Inclusion Through More Than Just Art

As I reflect on my time so far as the Summer Projects Coordinator at ArtMix, I am in awe of how much I’ve accomplished and learned in only three weeks. My first couple of assignments were fairly simple, like look around the Harrison Center (which is where ArtMix is located), familiarize myself with the website, read last year’s end of the year financial report, and memorize the mission statement:

I love my desk space! And the name tag makes me feel very official.

I love my desk space! And the name tag makes me feel very official.

ArtMix transforms the lives of people with disabilities through the creation of art.

I quickly learned that ArtMix is all about inclusion, not just in their programs, but on the administration side too. The moment I walked into the office I felt like I was a part of the team. They value my ideas and ask for my opinions.

My co-workers believing in me, gave me the confidence I needed to jump right into the projects they had come up with for me. So far my projects have revolved around two events, that were raising money to support our program Urban Artisans. The Urban Artisans program is nationally recognized, and it helps students with and without disabilities develop vocational skills. The students learn how to create, market, and sell art, while being payed minimum wage.

Here's the Sccop

My co-worker Adrienne and I holding bowls as we setup for Here’s the Scoop!

The first event was called Here’s the Scoop. It was Saturday, June 11 in conjunction with the Independent Music and Art Festival. We sold ice cream in ceramic bowls made by the Urban Artisans, and all of the proceeds went right back into the program. In preparation for Here’s the Scoop, I corresponded with the volunteers. I also created a picture frame that people could take photos with, in the hopes of increasing our social media reach. I had total freedom with the project, and when it was finished, I was really proud of what I had created.

My Here’s the Scoop projects were easy in comparison to the projects for our other event. The kick-off to the Art & Home Tours was Thursday, June 16. The bulk of my work was outreach, which I really enjoyed. I created a list of organizations and contacted them in the hopes that they would spread the word about the tours to their coworkers. One place that I contacted was the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ). I had hoped that they would do some advertising for us, but I didn’t realize how big the publication really was. They got back to me very quickly, and they were very willing to work with us. Since I was the one who contacted them, this was my project, and that meant I was put in charge of creating the ads for IBJ. I had a lot of creative freedom on the project, and with some minor adjustments from my co-workers, the ad I created was published in the IBJ online. Its surreal to know that something I made was seen by hundreds, if not thousands of people.

I also created the program for the event. I’m starting to feel confident in my ability to create things on behalf of ArtMix, and I am feeling comfortable with our brand. I understand the way things should look in order to represent the organization well. I still have a lot to learn, but I think I’ve come a long way in just three weeks.

While I love corresponding with people and creating promotional materials, I think the best part of my job so far has been talking about the programs. I love sharing with people the work we do at ArtMix. During Here’s the Scoop, I got to tell people exactly what ArtMix does. We were able to share with so many people our mission. Next week I get to meet the students who are participating in the Urban Artisans program. I can’t wait to learn more about these students and see all that they accomplish this summer.

 

Hit the Brakes

Contrary to the typical face-paced world we live in, at NPH USA we take things a bit slower.

Week 1: Let’s get to know about NPH USA. Orient yourself to the history. Learn the daily grind. Memorize the “elevator speech.” NPH USA is a non for profit organization that provides healthcare, education and housing to orphaned, abandoned or otherwise at risk children in nine countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Week 2: Learn how to use all the fancy office machines. (They stuff and seal envelopes for you!) Remember how to do all those cool tricks on Microsoft Excel and Word (mail merge is a label wizard). Figure out how not to make the printer mad.

Week 3: Pick a project and go. Gala or Golf-outing? Why not both?! Make a timeline. Set deadlines. Set-up meetings. Draft letters to sponsors. Use cool editing skills from week 2 to make an awesome map graphic for the letter head.

Week 4: Find volunteers. Develop a central theme. Meeting with Gala venue. Learn what it means to collectively brainstorm and execute. The rest to be determined.

So what have I learned in my short time here?

Take my time. Not every decision needs to be made right away and set in stone. It’s ok to take your time fully thinking about something and brainstorm new ideas before settling on one. Even then it’s ok to go back and make changes. Be clear in communications. When working with others, it’s very important to clearly communicate what it is you are thinking (not everyone is a mind reader). Ideas may come up and may be interpreted differently if you are not clear enough. New ideas may come from misinterpretations but it is important to be on the same page so that joint progress can be made. Don’t be afraid to contribute. You may have knowledge in an area that others in the office do not. Don’t be afraid to share your comments and ideas. Maybe no one has ever planned a Gala before but you have experience in quinceaneras and conferences you can draw from. Reflect. Reflection can take multiple forms and its important to take the time to explore them. At the end of a task, take a moment to review your work and look for where this piece fits into the bigger picture. At the end of the day, take a couple of minutes to collect all that you have completed that day and cross some items off your to-do list. At the end of the week, think about what you have learned and how you could apply that knowledge to other events you may have going on.

NPH USA is an inspiring organization that is changing the lives of children every day. Knowing that the work I am doing is contributing to the life of a child who may not otherwise have means to survive, makes all the difference. Since starting my journey here, I have considered participating in a mission trip with the organization to experience NPH homes first hand. This type of experience is definitely one that I will bring back to the Valparaiso community and advocate for by encouraging others to become involved.

I wonder what week 5 has in store for me?

 

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My messy desk consists of materials from the 2015 Gala.

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The view from my office: the Thompson Center.

Gifts are Greater

I didn’t know what to expect this summer.  When I read the placement descriptions there was something about Broadway United Methodist Church that caught my attention: their focus on conversation and community.  However, it was at a church and I was not a theology major or planning to go into ministry work.  When I arrived on my first day I very quickly realized that Broadway was different than any of the churches I’d been to, and that started with the building.  Valpo may be home to the largest collegiate chapel in the United States, but I was still overwhelmed by the size of Broadway, or at least the way in which the space is used.  Broadway has 9 kitchens; it is home to an architecture firm, artists’ studios, a pottery studio, a dance studio, and a boutique.  I’m still not entirely sure where to find everything.  Broadway uses its space for the community and to support the community.  If the space can be used for someone share a gift or talent, it will be used.  This is because Broadway is focused on gifts and talents.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and a lot of listening my first few weeks at Broadway to help me better understand their work.  Broadway practices Assets Based Community Development.  This means that instead of asking someone what they need, you ask them what they’re good at.  Sometimes I feel like I am having to un-train myself.  I think many people have become so accustomed to caring for needs and seeing volunteer work as servicing a need, that the idea that there is another way to approach work with those in poverty has never crossed their minds.  However, asking people what they need is also asking them what they don’t have.  Assets based work moves away from a needs approach and looks at what gifts or assets a community has.  As Rev. Mather told me in a story about some of his previous work on one of my first days, “we stopped asking people how poor they were, and started asking them how rich they were.”  This is about seeing worth; it’s networking and finding gifts in the community that can be shared to the benefit of others.  It is about communities that are invested in one another: people who watch out for kids and have skills that their neighbors can benefit from and vice versa.  Assets based work means that people have agency, and it also shows that communities already have the talent and tools to be stronger when people work together.  We all benefit from an assets based approach because we build relationships.

I’ve had many conversations and been introduced to many people in my first few weeks.  I’ve listened as an artist shared stories of his process, and shared insight into the power of observation.  I’ve interviewed students for the summer roving program—where kids go around to meet and bless their neighbors—and listened to them describe themselves and their neighbors.  This week we’ve been going to the homes of the students that were hired to get to know them and their parents.  As myself and the other intern and roving coordinators walk to these homes, I learn more about the neighborhood and the people I am working with.  The first visits in the neighborhood were intimidating.  Talking to strangers is not easy, but every conversation has taught me something.  Everyone is so friendly, and the conversations go in so many directions, pleasantly surprising me as I learn about the people in this community.  I find that I already recognize faces as we walk to the next house, and people are quick to say hello if you walk past them on their porch.  We live in communities and we benefit from remembering that, from having conversations and sharing our gifts.  When we start to build relationships we see people for what they have, and the idea that we can miss out on gifts because we focus on needs is a reminder of how important conversation and connection is.  We all benefit when we see our neighbor for their gifts and talents.

Part of the Team

So I get on the CTA Blue Line, sunglasses on my head, planner and pen in my purse, and cellphone GPS ready to guide me once I get at my stop. I couldn’t look like I didn’t know where I was going; city people know when you aren’t from the city. Fortunately, I found Erie Neighborhood House no problem. In fact, I was 45 minutes early… you don’t want to be late on the first day. But I also had not intended to be that early. I met with Micaella and Emily, the two women who will be serving as my supervisors this summer. So far so good. I later met Jane and Stephanie, two other women who I will be working with this summer too. Okay, I can roll with this. I got a good feeling about being here. At the conclusion of my first day, I asked Micaella if I should meet at her office the following day. She immediately corrected me, “our office.”

I hErieNeighborhoodHouseave been at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago working with the Health and Leadership Programs (HLP) Department for two weeks. I immediately felt welcomed and a part of the team. I do not feel like an “intern” – getting coffee and making copies – but instead I am completing tasks and brainstorming programming ideas that will impact the lives of the community we serve.

West Town, one of the location where I am working this summer, is a predominantly Latino community. On my second day at Erie, Jane and I spent about an hour and a half creating a summer program for 7th graders in the area. I found myself pulling from not only my social work knowledge, but from my programming experience from when I worked as a Resident Assistant in the residence halls. It was super cool! I am sure many undergraduate students can relate to this feeling. While you are in school and taking classes related to your major or not, you find yourself questioning, “Will I ever actually use this?” Before heading to Erie I was terrified that all of my knowledge would fly out the window; that I would not remember anything that would help me at this placement. I was definitely a pleasant surprise to see that this was not the case!

In addition to West Town, I will be spending the other half of my time at Erie’s Little Village location also serving a predominantly Latino community. I am still acclimating and finding my role at this location, but from the moment I walked into the building I knew that powerful, impactful work was taking place all around me; I could feel it. I am very excited to see what I can contribute to this energy at Erie House in Little Village.

I get off the CTA Blue Line back at my home stop. Shortly after, my parents come to pick me up and of course they ask, “How was your day? What did you do?” While I would love to explain to them how cool the women I work with are and how similar our personalities are, or the conversations I had about advocacy, future plans, and not needing to know what I want to do for the rest of my life, or even about how effective and important the work we are doing is, I simply respond with, “It was good. I worked on programs today and met some of the participants in the programs.” It would be quite a long conversation if I wanted to express to them just how cool Erie House is and all the things I have been learning!

As the summer continues, I look forward to understanding more about Erie House’s work and its impact on the community we serve. I am excited to get to know Micaella, Emily, Jane, and Stephanie better and to work with them – not as an “intern”, but as a part of the Erie House team.

 

 

Why am I here?

I wander the streets of Baltimore, searching for the bus stop. Is it this street? No. That other street? No. Maybe I passed it. Turn around, try again.

I find the bus, I board, I anxiously observe all the other charmingly dressed workers on their way to the office. I get off a stop too early. I walk in the hot sun. I finally arrive.

I am greeted by one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met – my supervisor, Folabi. He gives me a brief summary of who everyone is in the office and what they do. I am introduced to my cube and it is here I remain, working diligently for some of the most passionate, loving people I’ve ever met, for a mission I could not agree with more.image2

This is the end of my third week at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). As I slowly began to settle into my surroundings and remember names of coworkers, I also began questioning my passions, my desires, my purpose. Why has God lead me here? Why do I feel unsatisfied with my work? Do I have hidden expectations that have not been met? How do I befriend these strangers in all walks of life? How do I stand for the mission of LIRS when I feel so isolated in my simple “intern” tasks?

These questions are not new for me. I have had similar moments of pondering in past internships. So why was this happening again? Before I reveal the answer, I would like to share the mission of LIRS and my part of role in it.

This organization’s mission is to assist in the resettlement process of refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers. When refugees come to the United States, they have no legal rights, are often placed into detention (essentially a prison holding cell), cannot understand a word anyone says, are often separated from other family members, and are given little support and no guidance by the U.S. government. If their case is approved by court (in other words, they are fleeing from a legitimate fear), they have three months to find housing, a job, and learn English before the government cuts all funding and support. This is where LIRS steps in. Their work, in a nutshell, is partnering with Lutheran churches and other organizations all over the country to provide community support to these refugees as they are beginning the most grueling process of their life.

The work done here is faith-based, as Christ speaks of not turning our back to the stranger. My eyes have been opened to the magic of this commitment, as I discuss projects and outreach strategies with coworkers and interact with refugees. The domino effect of the work done in this little Baltimore office extends on forever, and it was not until joining my coworker at a function in Pennsylvania that I was able to catch a glimpse at the fruit of their efforts here. It is a beautiful, holy waterfall that flows from this office – my frustration and questions as I mentioned previously stemmed from not understanding this waterfall, this trickle-down effect. Why should I feel satisfied sitting in an office all day on a computer? In the summer!? I thought I was out of my mind when I began this cubicle job (and maybe I still am). But if one thing has been at work in this office, it is the Lord.

With coworker Amanda in Mechanicsville, PA, after a long day of speaking with Lutheran pastors about LIRS

With coworker Amanda in Mechanicsville, PA, after a long day of speaking with Lutheran pastors about LIRS

My tasks have no meaning by themselves. Why am I stuffing name tags for three hours? Well, it is because refugees will wear these name tags as they present their stories to White House staff in the White House on World Refugee Day in hopes of tapping into the powerful emotions of those people that write immigrant legislation.

So, what is my answer to the questions written above? I will never be satisfied in a job if I am seeking worldly gain, such as recognition or experience. The tasks I complete will never satisfy me unless I recognize the power behind each one of them. I am working for an organization that acknowledges the coming Kingdom of God, and this has brought me peace. My efforts are not for myself or even for the refugees I help. Rather, every stroke of this keyboard points to God and His glory, for the purpose of sharing His love and spreading the Gospel “to the ends of the Earth”.

A beautiful view of the city of Baltimore

A beautiful view of the city of Baltimore

 

Welcome to CAPS!

This week marks my second interning with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana through Valpo’s CAPS fellowship program and so far the experience has really been like no other work experience I’ve had so far.  Coming in to this internship I really didn’t understand what the Urban League does, but I’ve since learned a great deal about their work in the Northwest Indiana community. Basically, they have three core areas- education, employment, and diversity and inclusion. They hold several large events like a college fair in the fall, and a diversity and inclusion luncheon, as well as sponsorship events with other community organizations. In addition to these they also work on a smaller scale, by helping connect individual clients with services in the community related to housing, food pantries, and employment.

One aspect of the Urban League that I find really fascinating is that although they only have two paid employees, they perform so many tasks in the community. A lot of this is through the hard work of their employees and board members, but also many volunteers that come in on a regular basis. That is probably the most inspiring thing I’ve witnessed while working with the Urban League so far- that there are so many people coming in to help without compensation but simply because they want to help and find the work important. These volunteers do work that is critical to the agency, and there is also a strong community dynamic between all the staff and volunteers who know each other so well, and that’s been really great to be a part of.

So far a lot of my work has been on the “front lines”- or basically working at one of the four front desks which are accessible to clients that come in and we are all tasked with answering the phones for questions related to different services. One of the most rewarding things I did today was through a phone call as a student called with questions related to a scholarship application and I helped walk him through the process. The greatest independent task I’ve been working on the past couple weeks is organizing a donor list with contact details about all the various donors, and donations the Urban League has received presently and in previous years. I will also be helping to organize the college fair throughout the summer.

Although I’ve learned a lot my first couple weeks at the Urban League, there is so, so much more to learn and I am excited to continue this process and further contribute to the amazing work being done here.

The outside of the Urban League building.

The outside of the Urban League building.

Me at my office for the summer.

Me at my office for the summer.

The "front lines" seen when walking into the Urban League offices.

The “front lines” seen when walking into the Urban League offices.