Since the last time we spoke, a lot has happened. Another first Friday has come and gone. This time, the interns decided to establish a dress code: fancy. This might have been one of my best-dressed nights of the whole summer. Sporting a striped brown tie, my evening pearls, a black mini dress, and the most important item, sunglasses. Fancy indeed! For this first Friday, I was a map hander outer, the first face that people see for the night. I also was a gallery attendant for the underground and hank and dollys. 

This internship is bringing out skills that I didn’t know I had. One example is that I was tasked with sewing tote bags. Why would possibly be asked to do that you may be thinking? The answer is that we have tons of extra vinyl from the billboard that hangs proudly on 16th street and that Joana Taft asked for it to be done. Simple as that. There are lots of difficulties that come with using vinyl as fabric, and not knowing how to sew anything more advanced than a pillowcase. This was a skill that I had always desired to expand upon but didn’t think I would be doing so this summer. I put my problem-solving skills to the test with this project. Every time I would get my tote-making supplies out, there would be some sort of snag Pins would break because of the thickness of the vinyl, an ever-changing pattern, and a bobbin that just wouldn’t stay bobbed. Every time I had one of these problems I felt like screaming but instead had to sit and logically work through things. Eventually, I got the hang of things and was slowly but surely becoming a one-woman factory. The Pecks, some dear friends, and contributors of the Harrison Center came to visit for one of our intern lunches. Their son is the namesake of one of our galleries, Speck Gallery. Anyways, I was able to gift these two some totes and it was a really special moment for me. 

I’ve started to get sad about the end of the summer. There are lots of things that I have yet to do and goodbyes I don’t particularly want to say. Still, there is more to look forward to in these last weeks. One of my favorite musicians, Clairo, is coming to Indianapolis on the 31st. I managed to snag tickets with one of my favorite friends and some of my fellow wonderful interns. Even though this will be my second time this year seeing her live, I may be even more excited than last time. Two days later, I’m seeing Charli XCX on her birthday. I think being in the city has soothed my musical soul. Back at Valpo, there aren’t many close opportunities to see live music. You either drive to Indianapolis or Chicago, which sometimes isn’t reasonable for a college student. Here, I’ve been able to skate downtown in 15 minutes and go to a little jazz club. I have also been able to work on some music and perform of my own here. Being able to sit down and work on a song and present it to my peers has been a treat. Mg, our extremely talented music intern and I get to do some performances next week. We have been working on harmonies for the show. 

My goal for the end of the summer is to wrap up all the things that I have been working on cleanly. To do research is nothing if it can’t be accessible to others to learn from. It will be really special to see what all the other interns are finishing up as well, although bittersweet I’m sure.

Just as quickly as the first day of Lutheran Summer Music arrived, so did the last day. The morning started off exceptionally rainy, initially making it a gloomy move-out day for LSM students and their families. I spent most of the morning preparing for medication check-out and packing up some of my own belongings as well. Knowing that this would be the last day of LSM, I felt a multitude of emotions: excitement to go home and spend time with my family, fatigue, and general worry about how the day would go. I thought that saying goodbye to students and their families would be a quick process, but I was happily mistaken.

As I met with each student and their families, some of them expressed appreciation that I had not anticipated. One parent expressed gratitude for the time that I spent caring for their student. Another parent wrote me a letter thanking me for my care. Along with the smiles and the many thank-yous that I received from parents, I also received kind feedback from the students that I assisted throughout the past month at LSM. On the way out of the conference room that medication check-out was stationed in, a student paused and said that they looked forward to seeing me next year. Another student asked me if I would be the Health Counselor again next year and said that I was very kind. All of these statements resonated with me.

Although I entered this position with the intent of providing the highest level of care that I could for these students, I did not expect recognition for this. I intended for the month that I spent with LSM to be dedicated to the support of student health and well-being. It is in the job description, yes – but beyond that, it was my way of displaying what I think healthcare is: compassion, care, and taking the time to ask if someone is okay, or, my favorite question, “is there anything that I can do to help you right now?” Despite this, I felt disconnected from the result of my efforts until I received feedback confirming that I helped to provide a healthy, safe environment for the LSM community. I realized that I was doing the work that I had wanted to do, but had been too busy worrying endlessly that I did not have the capability to do it.

Throughout the duration of my internship with CAPS, I also worried about finding my calling. In fact, I recall feeling behind because I could not identify what my calling was. I even felt that it was possible I couldn’t find it. However, I eventually understood that I would not be able to understand my calling and purpose if I was worrying so much about what it should be. In all honesty, I still cannot explain what my calling or purpose is, but I can confidently tell you that it involves the profession of Nursing, or the caring profession. My calling involves assisting others so that they can feel like their best selves, even if they are experiencing a difficult or shocking health situation. Although I was lost and unsure at most times, my calling placed me exactly where I needed to be.

If it is possible for you today, I want to encourage you to allow yourself the time to reflect on the hard work that you are doing – and allow yourself to celebrate it. And if you are feeling lost or disconnected from your calling, I will also include a verse that continues to help me through my own uncertainty: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

– Isabella Dietrich, Lutheran Summer Music

Since my last blog post the workload at Kheprw for me has increased. Since we last talked I’ve been assigned to a couple of projects, one of those tasks is reaching out to partnered organizations to assist with business and guest speaking for the Alkemy space, which is an entrepreneur incubator space that builds community wealth in under-resourced communities of color by supporting entrepreneurs. One of the many reasons for this space to exist is, because of the racial wealth gap that exists between people of color and caucasians, for example in 2015 in Indianapolis: 10% of white people lived in poverty, compared to 26.3% of people of color; Unemployment was 5.3% for white people and 10% for people of color; the median hourly wage for white people was $22/hour and $16/hour for people of color. A way in which Alkhemy is planning to address this is by investing in under-resourced entrepreneurs. They are raising $1 million to launch the entrepreneurship hub at 38th and Illinois which will support 40 entrepreneurs over two years, providing 12 months of training, mentorship, technical assistance and financial resources. Through opening this space and existing, it’s going to allow individuals to stop working for those larger conglomerate companies and afford them the opportunity to accumulate wealth both fiscally and through community. 

Another task they have tasked me with is coming up with a plan to reach out to cooperative communities which is “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise”. Cooperatives are democratically owned by their members, with each member having one vote in electing the board of directors. I’m tasked with reaching out across the greater Indianapolis area and as well as across the country, and having them teach us how there’s specifically works and coming up with a blueprint along with other members of Kheprw to see how we could possibly develop our own.     

To say that my workload has increased I feel would be the understatement of the century, but I’m enjoying being able to put on a new hat every day,  as someone who aspires to one day own his own business and open a school to address the pressing concerns plaguing the educational system it’s a great learning experience to have all these different task, because I’m not thinking the same in each different role and they’re challenging me to think critically as well as creatively with each different project assignment.

As my experience with Kheprw is winding down and coming to a close I‘ve been able to do a lot of reflecting. In particular how coming down to the porch has had such a positive effect on me. This setting or “coming on down to the porch ” as we like to call it in our communication cohort as I mentioned in my last blog post is my favorite part of my internship, because you learn so many new things about people everyday. You also learn how individuals think as well, for instance the other day we were talking about Fear of Black Consciousness which is a book we’ve recently been reading and in the book we talked about chapter 11 titled the Blues and one of my colleagues said the chapter made him think less about how black music is consumed and more about how it’s produced. How do we perceive the world in relation to ourselves? They went on to say that “The consumption has twisted how the art is produced. People consume it for the aesthetic and not the meaning.” I just found that interesting to see how the chapter made him think and also really reevaluate how we as balck people perceive ourselves.

– Isaiah Roach, Kheprw

Lately, I’ve been thinking about an article I read by Steve de Gruchy, an author specializing in theology, ethics, and philosophy. The title is “Dealing with Our Own Sewage: Spirituality and Ethics in the Sustainability Agenda.” The primary purpose of the article is to emphasize the severity of the freshwater crisis, and how everyone must do their part to live more sustainably. One phrase from de Gruchy’s article keeps echoing in my mind: We all live downstream. So, how does this relate to my CAPS fellowship?

When recognizing that we all live downstream, one will realize that our decisions have resounding effects everywhere. Our choices do not affect just us– there are people “downstream” who will experience the ramifications of our actions. In his article, de Gruchy specifically uses this metaphor to describe water pollution. Earthly resources are finite; if we pollute the water here, it will eventually make its way to someone else, who now does not have clean water. The reality is that the ones most affected by water pollution are the disenfranchised and marginalized. It is easy to turn a blind eye when you, yourself, do not experience the consequences. Currently, in my life, I am seeing this metaphor everywhere I look.

The state of our planet, both environmentally and socially, has been stirring a rather hopeless feeling in me. Being a white woman in a developed country, I am relatively “upstream.” Not every day do I have to face all of the crises in the world– and there are many. So that we are on the same page, here are a few: the mass shooting epidemic, the climate crisis, animal genocide in agriculture, world hunger, war, the freshwater shortage, inflation, infectious disease, and the refugee crisis. That is a lot for a 21-year-old girl to face; however, that is the problem– most of us do not face it. We turn a blind eye, brush it off, and move on. We post a “I stand with Ukraine” tweet and then go take a nap.

Now, what I am not saying is that we all need to rise up and fix these issues all at once. That is impossible. What I am saying is that we cannot succumb to cognitive dissonance anymore. We all live downstream– so all of these issues? They’ll make their way to us. David Korten, an author and former Harvard professor, puts it like this: “we live on a spaceship, not an ocean liner. A spaceship has no lifeboat. Its occupants either prosper or perish together.” These statements may induce panic, but de Gruchy’s article does not end with a doomsday perspective. He doesn’t turn a brush off the issues either, though (that would be very ironic). He says this: “ [we have] the responsibility to tend one’s garden, respect both the neighbor and the stranger, and deal with one’s own sh*t.”

Again– what does this have to do with my CAPS fellowship? The American Red Cross is known for their humanitarian efforts. It is easy to feel like you’re not doing enough when you’re watching the work of such a large organization. What I learned from the de Gruchy article is this: it takes the efforts of many, not just one. The American Red Cross does amazing things, and I am just one piece of the puzzle. Even still, I am an important piece. To be complete, a puzzle needs all of the pieces. This is true in my fellowship, but also of the world. It is easy for me to beat myself up that I’m not doing enough. One person can’t do everything though– as de Gruchy said, we just need to deal with our own sh*t.

I’m having a great time with my internship, by the way.

– Victoria Cammarano, American Red Cross

This past month at the Guild has been full of amazing opportunities and wonderful people. It has been so exciting to have our first three weeks of programming and meet so many new people. The beauty of the Guild is the connections and community that forms over just a week. While many participants have been coming to the Guild for years, some participants, like myself are brand new. The community that forms between old-timers, newcomers, and staff, is truly a wonder to be a part of. The Guild is able to facilitate open and engaging conversations through art and our matins and vespers services that invite guests and staff to be open and vulnerable with one another. The best part of the Guild is getting to interact with and get to know so many incredible people from different walks of life. It is so wonderful to listen to people’s stories and see their creative process throughout the week and be able to participate in celebrating their process and completed projects at the end of the week.

My work here still includes setting spaces to be ready for each group of participants, creating much needed informational flyers and handouts, and occasionally getting to cook breakfast and lunch for the cohorts. This past week I was also fortunate enough to take one of the many classes that the Guild offers. The class was called Mud and Sunlight, it was a class that explored two mediums, pottery and photography. This was a wonderful experience, not only being able to be creative and have fun in an art class, but also to understand the participants point of view better, which can help to inform some of the work that I do. This can mean finding ways to make the experience more enjoyable for participants or realize that something is not working the way that we thought it would. Part of what is so wonderful about the Guild, is that every aspect of work and life here, is a creative process that never ends. Much like life, this organization is growing and changing, and is in itself, living and breathing. There is a lot of work that goes into maintaining a living thing, especially a living organization, but that work is made easier by the people who come to the Guild and fill the dining hall with their stories and the studio spaces with their creativity and each room with their spirit and energy. They are the reason that this place is able to continue, and I find myself so grateful to not only witness this, but to be an active member in shaping this part of the Guild’s history. I am beyond proud of the work that I have and continue to put into the Guild, and never for one second do I feel that it goes unappreciated. The Guild is a place that celebrates even the smallest of victories and accomplishments, a place where everyone is celebrated for showing up and existing, for bringing life and spirit to every corner.

– Natalie Gut, Grunewald Guild

In search of a project to undertake in my first couple of weeks, I was offered an opportunity that would prove to test my patience, endurance, and willingness to reflect and grow. I was given the project of running two market stands for farmer’s markets. It was an endeavor I had to build from the ground up, and I could feel the pressure increase day to day as I worked out numerous details and handled an array of tasks all at once. I had been given no formula, no formal training, and no real instruction other than: get it done. Despite this, the support I received from Kheprw members was infinitely comforting and motivating. Whether it be a supportive conversation, or a quick and helpful reply to a question I needed answered, everyone wanted the project to succeed, and that was integral to its success. The process did not come without its challenges; I had to find a way to focus on the present, and be at peace with my capabilities from day to day. But, with a group of people there to help me, I was able to grow in this space and discover my strengths.

The markets themselves have been a wonderful experience. We have partnered with local farms and gardens to deliver fresh produce to customers. But, rather than being transactional, these markets are focused on the people themselves: providing quality produce to help support downtown Indianapolis’s residents. As an environmental science major, I greatly value seeing the social side to environmental issues such as food deserts. At the end of the day, these are social issues; therefore, they require community-based solutions. This has expanded my understanding of how food efforts directly impact local areas, and has given me a greater appreciation for local efforts. With every small interaction a difference is being made. And, I hope I can continue to work with this in mind. Whether I do research, work with a nonprofit, or find myself in an entirely different sector, I will not forget to see the people being impacted.

From this experience, I’ve learned a lot about managing details and how to prioritize. And I’ve learned to recognize my own abilities. Just as important, though, I’ve come to appreciate and value collaboration. Without the support of Kheprw members, I would have felt overwhelmed and incapable. Instead, I’ve been encouraged to face the obstacles while recognizing my own strengths. This, in turn, has greatly improved my confidence in myself and encouraged me to pursue leadership opportunities in the future. Whatever my future career looks like, I know that I will continue to pursue community. The greatest impact on my experience thus far has been the relationships I’ve built with people. Whether it’s helping a community or becoming a part of one, I have come to recognize the value of this type of work. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much of my experience this summer has been connected to people. But, now, I realize that this is because of the value these people see in community, a value I plan on carrying with me.

– Emily Fletcher, Kheprw

Since my last blog post, my internship has picked up a lot–not that it wasn’t busy before, however I can officially say that my training period is over. Now, my work days are packed with meetings with participants that I am leading and my independent work has really taken off. Honestly, I love it. When the work day ends, I do not want to leave. Not only this, but sometimes I do not feel like I should–the work is never done and all of it is urgent. I think that this is the challenge of human rights work, that, among other things, you are entrusted with the pressing matters of many people to help them find solutions to the best of your ability and yet, somehow, hit pause at 5 pm. How can you attend to the rest of your life knowing that their needs continue?  Since getting to know my participants better, I find that I am very cognizant of this when I leave work. What are they doing now? How are they managing without the food stamps that were delayed? Or how are they handling the stress of impending parole expiration and not knowing how they file for asylum? How are they handling the loneliness this evening–will they make it through the night?
It has been really eye opening and I am in constant awe of these individuals. Every participant I have met and engaged with has astonished me with their strength and the unfathomable things they have gone through–the fact that they are here and standing is a miracle in and of itself. The fact that I might be able to help them, or at least help hold the weight of their story, is a true honor. It is also scary though. There are a number of examples recently in which I am unable to find solutions and I am deeply aware of how this failure affects the lives of the people we serve. While I get to go home each night and “clock out,” they live with the reality and the consequences of a job undone or a system that is broken. I want so desperately to find a solution or for something, for once, to finally go their way, but at times I am worried that I won’t be able to. Enter the hard lesson I am learning about human rights work: limited time, funds, and resources means that the work, which is never done, sometimes cannot even be finished and there are real costs to that. This is really scary and disheartening. 

All this to say, since coming to my internship and really getting involved with participants I am learning that I deeply love this work–I love talking with participants and doing whatever I can to help. I am shocked at how little I have been cognizant of their circumstances before now and find that, being aware now, my life cannot be the same. I would like to pursue this work as my profession, but I am also scared because I know a lot of disappointment awaits and I run the risk of failing–and people being harmed in the process. I have always been an idealist so this hard reality is not something I am really reckoned with–it is not something I want to accept. I am learning though that there are times where I can’t do everything and I need to accept that–do my part and fight to make the system better, but be prepared to lean on those I am close to and work with to process and work through those times where I cannot. While I don’t have an answer for this, I can say with certainty that this frustration makes me convinced that this is the work I want to do.

– Katharina Depenthal, Heartland Alliance Health

“The only consistent thing in this world is the presence of change.” My three years at Valpo have demonstrated the truth in this adage, which happens to be one of my grandfather’s favorites. I have seen how each new semester brings with it a host of changes: I encounter new concepts, new people, new experiences. Although I am grateful for the variety of each semester, I often find myself getting used to the pattern of change in college life. However, I’ll occasionally encounter an experience that I know from the beginning will alter me as a person in a major way. This summer, that experience was my CAPS internship at The Bridge Teen Center.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from an internship, having never done one before, but I was looking forward to working as a Media and Program Intern at The Bridge. I love photography and in the course of studying for my Digital Media minor I had become interested in brand marketing. I knew the Media Intern position would be perfect for me because I would get to photograph Bridge students during the weekly programs and use those photos to tell The Bridge’s story on social media. On top of that, as a Program Intern, I would get to participate in putting on the programs. After the first couple of days of my time at The Bridge, I realized that this internship was going to be far more fun, interesting, and educational than I could have imagined. 

I’m enjoying this internship because it’s given me the opportunity to come out of my shell as a portrait photographer. I’ve never really been comfortable photographing people, unless I’m taking pictures of family (as an introvert, I’ve preferred to photograph landscapes or glassware). Now that I am photographing at The Bridge, I have the motivation to get over this personal hump. With social media deadlines that need to be met, there’s no time to put off taking photos of the students. While long-distance photos that encompass the whole room are nice, it is the close-up portraits of happy students participating in the program that generate positive engagement on social media. To get such photos, I have to directly approach each student and ask them if I can take a picture of them. Although I still sometimes get apprehensive when I ask students for a photograph, I am now much more comfortable with doing so than I was at the beginning of the internship. I didn’t initially expect this to be an outcome of the internship, but I am nonetheless grateful to have had this opportunity to develop into a more confident artist and person.

I have also enjoyed working as a Program Intern because actively working with the students reminds me of the reasons I chose to take this internship. Whether I’m helping out with a hangout program in the game room or when I’m leading a garden program, I always see the students forging connections with one another or cultivating old friendships. It is easy for me to get caught up in the world of program recap posts on Instagram or sponsorship shoutouts on Facebook, but actively working with students as a Program Intern reminds me of what this is all about: providing a safe place where students can engage with others and develop as individuals. I feel that I am truly getting the best of both worlds when it comes to interning at The Bridge.

In short, my internship at The Bridge has been amazing so far. I have the chance to work alongside a staff of truly stellar individuals, I get to work with some really awesome students, and I get to engage with my interests of photography and brand marketing. I can’t really express just how grateful I am to be able to participate in such an amazing community.

– Philip Bolton, The Bridge Teen Center

This summer, I am blessed with the opportunity to be an intern at Community Renewal Society (CRS), a faith-based social services organization in Chicago that addresses systemic and structural social justice issues. Given that the organization works remotely due to the pandemic, I complete my work from home. I am a part of CRS’ Social Media Team and my tasks largely consist of posting content written and published by CRS and from outside sources, such as news outlets, to the organization’s social media platforms and website. In doing so, I have gained experience thinking and acting quickly on my feet as events do not always have an outlined schedule for when they happen, and therefore, the news may need to be shared with urgency. As a quieter person, I have been given a voice to amplify the injustices that occur in everyday life, especially those imposed on the poor, convicted, and those of color, by posting content on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

In addition to keeping CRS member congregations and followers updated on both historical and current information, I have attended multiple virtual meetings, each with a unique topic and a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, locations, and careers. For example, I participated in discussions on economic justice, racial justice, the architecture of prisons, grantmaking, philanthropy, leadership, and more. These meetings are a way for me to keep in touch with CRS’ other teams such as the Policy & Organizing Committee, the Police Accountability & Criminal Justice Issue Team, the Economic Justice Issue Team, and also nonprofit organizations including Chicago Women in Philanthropy. For each panel, webinar, or conversation I am involved in (whether talking with others or simply listening and learning), I type detailed notes to refer back to and remember the messages and wisdom brought forward. One of the main projects that the Social Media Team is in the process of completing is reformatting the CRS website. For this project, my responsibility is to use a fresh set of eyes in order to provide input and recommendations. Along with this project, I assist in drafting newsletter articles and database clean-up.  

So far, my internship experience at Community Renewal Society has been enriching and illuminating. By joining the staff at CRS, I have entered into a space that allows for education, communication, and change around social justice issues with individuals passionate about helping others and making communities, and the world, a better, equitable place. I even met a Bayard Rustin Fellow! Too, each day at CRS, I expand my knowledge of the discourse surrounding the criminal justice system and inequality, and I connect this to what I have learned in my past political science and sociology courses. When reflecting on my calling and purpose in society, I have a refined understanding of the different forms that activism and advocacy can take and which forms suit me better than others. I feel that I am one step closer to fulfilling my goal of being someone who zealously and successfully fights for people’s rights. I am fortunate to have the chance to carry out CRS’ mission of bringing the truth to light about various policies and legislation and breaking race and class barriers, as well as my own mission to serve those who are marginalized and to bring reform.

– Tyla Gross, Community Renewal Society

“Calling and Purpose”… That’s the big question that everyone ultimately hopes to find, and that is exactly why it is one of the hardest questions to answer. For years I would talk about what I believe my calling is meant to be; I would share my dreams of wanting a nonprofit for minority youth while being a computer science major and business minor. Even though it may have seemed as if I was confident in my purpose I would secretly think to myself that it didn’t make sense. There were days I would sit and contemplate all the different scenarios or obstacles I could possibly encounter. Are my dreams too big or not big enough? Can I actually manifest these concepts into reality? What will it take to make it happen? Am I the right person to pursue this ambitious goal? My thoughts were starting to become overwhelming and paralyzed me from having any traction. My time at Kheprw has reminded me of not only my capabilities but also why I have this dream.

The Kheprw Institute (KI) is a nonprofit that values people in every community. KI is an organization that is committed to bringing about change that leads to empowered self-reliant and self-determining communities. At Kheprw we aim to create a more just, equitable, human-centered world by nurturing youth and young adults. KI works to support youth and young adults in becoming leaders, critical thinkers, and doers. As an intern at Kheprw, my role is democratizing data. I work with a team of people and ultimately we are a central hub for the organization. We are connected with every person, every program, and every project at Kheprw. Each person on the team has specific projects, programs, and people that we interact with directly, we play an integral role throughout the entire organization. I primarily work on three different projects. The largest project is creating a platform catered to entrepreneurs. We hope to create a platform that will provide resources and networks to promote the success and growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses as easily as possible. While I haven’t been able to directly interact with or impact minority youth I have been able to combine two of the three aspects of my dream – business and computer science.

The past few months at Kheprw has reminded me of every experience that I have personally encountered or witnessed that helped inspire my dream and exactly how much I love all three of these things. As a young woman of color from the city of Chicago I can attest to how impactful it would have been for me to have anything like what I hope to create one day. Staying focused and understanding our purpose can be a challenge, and honestly I believe it is supposed to be. The challenges and doubts we face when searching for our purpose are what brings us closer to finding it. Thanks to the projects I am working on, the people I have met, and the Kheprw institute itself I am continuously learning more about what my purpose will require of me.

– Essence Roberson, Kheprw

CAPS Fellows Program has been an experience unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Aside from it being a non-profit organization, it’s honestly one of the best experiences of personal growth I’ve ever been a part of. My experience through the CAPS Fellows Program has provided an enriching experience in what actually happens on a day-to-day basis at a non-profit as well as a business. So far this experience has been one that has really made me start to self-assess how I go about getting things accomplished. A friend of mine by the name of Lem Cartman has a quote that he always says and it really resonates with me because it’s true. It goes, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at start to change.” Throughout this experience, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I love to listen and learn about people’s different experiences and how they think, before this internship I was always trying to be the first person heard in the room. What this particular experience has taught me is that it’s okay to not have something to say on certain topics. No one expects you to be all-knowing , what you know is what you know. 

Aside from the personal growth that has been taking place over this summer I have also had a blast developing relationships at my internship. The work has been more than sufficient, but a big surprise I was not expecting was finding joy in conversing with my fellow colleagues. One way that I’ve been able to foster these relationships is by going to the “porch” which is an actual porch where one of the founders of the Kheprw Institute, Imhotep Adisa, uses the space to hold conversation amongst his employees that both promote intellectual growth and build leadership abilities amongst young individuals. The porch acts as a bridge between the young and the seasoned veterans of the Kheprw Cohort, and allows everyone to express their opinions in an open space freed from judgment. This is probably my favorite part of my internship so far, because the people are so great, but also the topic of discussion we get into here and the wide variety of opinions that exist in this space as well as it pertains to the different age groups that meet on the porch.  

I work for the Kheprw Institute which is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis that works to create a more just, equitable, human-centered world by nurturing youth and young adults to be leaders, critical thinkers and doers who see the people in any community as the most valuable assets and are committed to working with community assets to bring about change that leads to empowered self-reliant and self-determining communities. So far this summer I have served as the Person of Contact (POC) for the recoverable loan fund program that assists young minority entrepreneurs in whatever stage of the business process they’re currently in. So far this has been an eye opening experience in that it has allowed me to see the ins and outs of what it means to get a business off the ground, but also has allowed me to see what it means to have a thriving business that not only makes money, but adds value to the community in some way shape or form.

– Isaiah Roach, Kheprw

Working with Concordia Place this summer has been an enlightening and unforgettable experience that I will be forever grateful for. In my role as an intern at Concordia Place, I am working with the advancement team, which means that I am helping out with fundraising agendas, and not only have I been able to work and experience what it is like to reach out to different companies and organizations and inform them of Concordia Place’s mission, I also have been able to work on a variety of projects at my internship.

For example, a long term project that I am working on is evaluating how the data gathered for our teen programs can be most effective in relaying the information to donors and parents. This has been a challenging task for me because I have never done anything like it before and I would really like to thank my supervisor because she is always available and open for any questions that I have. I would also like to thank her for being super open and making me feel comfortable in my role as an intern at Concordia Place. With that being said, back to the Teen Metrics program: it has been one of the most challenging tasks that I have attempted in a while and even though the project before me is difficult, I know that I will be able to complete it if I use my resources.

My internship is unique to me because it is far removed from my major and from anything that I thought I wanted to do with my life. I never imagined working for a nonprofit organization or doing any kind of fundraising for a nonprofit, but I am grateful for this opportunity to explore what it is like and how it works. Naturally, my experience working for a nonprofit has caused me to re-evaluate the purpose and pla ns that I originally envisioned for my life. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone already and with having to step out of my comfort zone, I have been able to grow professionally and personally.

Another big project that I have been able to help with and work on is the annual gala that Concordia Place is having in November. My tasks have been specifically geared towards a silent auction that will take place at the gala. In this role, I have reached out to different organizations and asked if they would be willing to donate items for the auction. As I mentioned before, at this internship, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone: this is one of the tasks that aided in that. It felt weird and awkward at times, and I stumbled and made mistakes, but it was worth it because I learned how to ask organizations for donations in a concise and polite manner. I’ve also been able to research different entertainment ideas for the event and that has been fun for me because I am able to look at different bands and photo booth options that we can use at the gala.

So far, I have enjoyed being able to get this experience and working with my fellow coworkers. I am excited about what else is to come and all of the other projects that I will work on.

– Justine Dorsey, Concordia Place

Prior to interning for the Red Cross I always used to look at group projects as a sort of chore. Now don’t get me wrong, I love working with other people. I just always felt that the distribution of work always seemed to be unequal. By that, I mean someone, usually me, would get stuck with doing most of the work. As a result, I subconsciously began to perceive group projects as burdensome and generally inefficient. Because of my experiences with the Red Cross, I now know that I was completely wrong. Working with other people to solve problems and complete tasks is the best way to get things done–especially in the world of humanitarian aid. Every individual has walked a different path of life and has experienced the world through their own perspective. Those differing experiences and perspectives strengthen a group’s ability to problem solve and to grow as people. I see that now.

In the Red Cross, individuals never act alone. Whether you’re doing DAT shifts or tabling for an event, there are always other volunteers with you. This means that I have had tons of opportunities to work with different people on varying projects. I’ve gotten the privilege to work with a volunteer, a retired stay-at-home mom, for a DAT call where a client’s home had been left inhabitable from a fire. This volunteer’s compassion and ability to comfort the client completely blew me away. I couldn’t think of the right words to say in the situation, but she absolutely did. I can’t help but think that maybe her walk of life left her with the experience to know how to make the client feel seen. This was her strength. In another instance, I was at the Stand Down event in Porter county. There, organizations gathered to give different resources to veterans in need. One table was giving out haircuts, another gave out boxes of food, others gave massages, and we handed out comfort kits (which include hygiene essentials). At this event, there were three Red Cross volunteers including myself. Interestingly enough, our backgrounds were completely different. While I’m a Psychology major who is working primarily in Disaster Cycle Services, Victoria works in Volunteer Services and is studying in the physician assistant program. The third volunteer, James, teaches night classes and works in the Health and Safety services. During the event, we were asked many questions about all of the different lines of service that the Red Cross does. I did not know the answers to a decent chunk of them. However, because all three of us were there and had come from differing backgrounds, when one of us didn’t have the answer another always did. It may seem like such a trivial thing, but I genuinely felt ecstatic to be able to contribute meaningfully while also being able to fully rely on my peers. Our differences made us stronger.

Working in groups can be really hard sometimes. Not every individual will have the same strengths or knowledge as you, but that is far from being a negative thing. The things that make us unique as individuals can also be what helps strengthen the group as a whole. Since having reflected upon this, I’ve become more excited to work in groups. I can’t wait to learn more about the people I will be working with and to see what manifests from our teamwork. I never know what to expect from people, but honestly that is the best part. Every person has a story to tell and I cannot wait to hear it.

– Tobias Hill, American Red Cross

At Lutheran Summer Music – an organization that is rooted in music, community, and faith – I am the Health Counselor, the person of contact for any health-related concerns. My main role is to transport and administer daily medications and provide standard medical support. In addition to this, I am also a resource for students to discuss their overall mental and emotional health. Overall, I could not have found a more fulfilling way to spend my summer of service.

Upon applying for CAPS, my personal statement described in detail how I view healthcare as far more than a routine appointment or a diagnostic test. Instead, I view health as receiving medical care that addresses the multitude of factors that could affect an individual’s access to it. These factors could include social influence, personal experiences, a person’s environment, socioeconomic status, and more. I intend to deliver holistic care that addresses these factors, but I realize now that I was not completely prepared for this as I started my journey as a Health Counselor at Lutheran Summer Music.

Before LSM began, I made interactive posters to encourage students to reflect and check in with me on their mental health, and I made it a priority to connect with the larger community of staff and faculty – but I was still struggling with incorporating my holistic view of healthcare. At this point in Nursing school, my mind is mainly focused on textbook facts: best practice, the consequences of a mistake, and specific procedures to follow if someone reports this specific symptom. I am still quite rigid in medical thought and more reliant on procedure rather than case-by-case response. It is beneficial at times because it encourages me to assess thoroughly and respond quickly, but I feel that it could eventually limit my ability to fully connect with the students who seek me out for assistance.

In fact, as I reflect on one of the first incidents I encountered in the Health Counselor role, I now notice that I was so focused on health-related facts that I caught myself leading conversations that were not therapeutic. I recall focusing on concepts that I knew rather than allowing myself to be fully present in the situation in order to discern what the most beneficial intervention would be. I was worrying about the next steps to take, what I could do as the Health Counselor, what to do if this or that happened… and it only held me back from providing the complete care that I aspired to provide when I stepped into this role.

In the process of becoming the Health Counselor and experiencing some of my first situations in this position, I was struck by the fact that the best care I have given has been by simply being with each individual. In one of my Nursing courses, we learned a variety of theories that included Swanson’s Theory of Caring. This theory describes the main pillars of caring as: Knowing, Being with, Doing for, Enabling, and Maintaining belief. As a Nursing student in this role, I believe I am growing into the nurse I want to be as I learn what it means to ‘Be With.’ I am consistently ‘Doing for’ and helping out in obvious ways, but I think in many situations, ‘Being With’ can be far more beneficial. When someone is struggling emotionally, or not feeling themselves, the best thing we can do is be with them in the moment. This may involve getting this person a cup of water, asking how they are feeling, and simply listening. As a result of becoming more comfortable with ‘Being With,’ I am coming to learn that I do not need textbook facts to address every situation. This new knowledge is helping me to incorporate my holistic, comprehensive approach to healthcare into my role at LSM.

Additionally, I have the privilege of learning all of this in a familiar setting (on-campus at VU), although I am experiencing it in an entirely different way. Before LSM, I had only entered the Chapel of the Resurrection once – during first-year orientation. I had also only been in the Duesenberg Recital Hall once, and certainly had never experienced it in a musical capacity. I am now experiencing the parts of campus that I hadn’t before and seeing that they are all welcoming environments that are filled with promises of new, great experiences. 

I look forward to the new experiences and opportunities for growth as I continue my work with LSM, and I am nothing short of confident that each day will bring me closer to becoming the compassionate, understanding nurse that I want to be.

– Isabella Dietrich, Lutheran Summer Music