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

During my time at The Bridge Teen Center so far, collaborating with my coworkers and the teens has allowed me to see how a dedicated team of people can work together to provide free opportunities for students to learn and grow in eye-opening ways. Starting my first day and continuing every moment so far, my coworkers have led by example in inspiring me to be intentional with everything I do and every interaction I have this summer. At The Bridge, it is easy to see the big picture in smaller things I do like making phone calls to invite teens to various programs and putting them into our database. The reward comes when parents are compelled to take a moment to say how blessed they are that their teen found The Bridge this summer or a couple of years past. They have said that their teens have been benefiting socially and gaining valuable experience from the various types of programs offered at The Bridge.

Recently, when I got the chance to observe teens experience indoor scuba diving, I got to talking to the bus driver who is a frequent volunteer at The Bridge. After talking to her more, I found out that she was about to accept an assistant principal position and had been working in the education field for 20 years. We bounced back and forth about how students often struggle to have outlets and think of places like school and The Bridge as safe places to learn, be, and express themselves. Although she knew a whole lot more than I did, we shared a mutual core belief that giving students opportunities like The Bridge turn into impacts that will shape who they are as people in crucial ways. We talked about how the ways that teachers and role models view students will become the ways that students see themselves, possibly in a positive light for the first time. This brilliant discussion gave me a chance to review my calling, which includes giving students a safe space to grow into themselves. I have been able to be a part of The Bridge, where an excellent team of people work together to do just that by creating, providing, and organizing various programs where teens can learn and grow in their interests and gifts as well as social and leadership capabilities.

Every other Friday night, The Bridge hosts their largest themed programs where the entire facility including the outdoor space is open to the teens. On my first Friday night, I worked the front desk and was surprised at how engaged I felt with the teens as I got to check each one in and made a countless amount of new IDs for new students. As aforementioned, I have been able to make seemingly more tedious tasks meaningful because they all lead to the bigger picture of giving teens the best experience they can have at The Bridge. You can make any interaction with someone intentional and impactful. I have been inspired to not take any interaction at face value because each holds the opportunity to encourage a teen and set the tone for how they will approach and view their experience at The Bridge.

Last Friday, The Bridge hosted an “80’s and 90’s Bash” event for the students where I oversaw one of the rooms called the Garage. I encouraged students to vote for The Bridge as Southland’s Best 2022 for various categories as well as ran the candy bar. Although this may seem simple, there is a significant difference between someone who takes the task at face value and someone who works on a like-minded team that strives to use every opportunity to positively interact with students. At The Bridge, one must always hold dear to their heart of service, their care for student engagement and experience, and their dedication to excellence in everything they do. Having this in mind, I was open to asking students questions about what inspired their themed 80’s and 90’s throwback outfits and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone by trying new things like our karaoke with their friends. It is surprising how little it takes to engage with a student that could lead to their personal reflections that make their night the best it can be. Myself along with over ten volunteers supervised and engaged with students in order for
the event to not only run but to thrive with enough student interaction and excitement so much so
that they would come back again.

– Isabelle Kalil, The Bridge Teen Center

It has officially been five weeks since I started my internship with Heartland Alliance and I could not be more grateful for this opportunity. From my first day in the office I have been overwhelmed with an incredible sense of community and in awe of the amazing work which my coworkers do on a daily basis. It has caused me to do a lot of thinking. While I have learned so much at this internship already, most of which I can’t disclose, for the purpose of this blog post I want to focus on one theme in particular which has been on my mind since starting in May–that is, the idea of community and boundaries.

Throughout my time at Valpo I have heard the idea of work and home life boundaries expressed in both the classroom and colloquially–to varying degrees. Many of the individuals I look to frequently uplift the importance of this separation–whilst also going above and beyond for their students, thus often sacrificing it for themselves. As a result, I find that I began this internship believing in a strict separation between the two–like church and state.

What surprised me starting day one at the office however, is that my coworkers approach their job and a sense of community differently. To begin with, Heartland Alliance is adamant that we call the people we serve participants and not clients–it emphasizes that we work together–as equals–not apart. This theme carries through in every aspect of the work which they do. Moreover, my coworkers spend their personal time interacting with participants doing crafts, gardening, and sometimes–years later–talking on the phone as friends. While they are distinct, there is a strong sense of community between coworkers as well as coworkers and participants. Additionally, as I began working with participants myself I found it difficult to process what was going on around me, or show up fully, without allowing for some spillover between my personal and professional life.

This has caused me to reflect a lot on the way I understand boundaries. Specifically, I have been wondering more about what the purpose behind keeping personal and professional lives separate is. I am finding that when I approach participants with the intent to foster community, as my coworkers model, it feels as though I am better able to honor both their humanity, as well as my own.

In my spare time this summer I have been doing a fair share of reading–one author I read recently, Nadia Bolz Weber, discussed the idea of being fully integrated and its centrality to human flourishing. She mentioned that, as she engages with the members of her congregation, she wants them each to be able to feel fully integrated emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially and so on so forth–no discontinuity at all.

So I am beginning to wonder: what are the implications of this for my work/personal life boundaries? On the one hand if we can integrate so fully in work and home life that there appear to be no boundaries we risk our mental well being and personal privacy as well as the privacy of those we serve. However, on the other hand, if we separate the two drastically we risk making it impossible to cross that divide and do a discredit to ourselves by forcing a divide between professional and unprofessional aspects of ourselves. In thinking more about the balance between these two I am realizing that I want to be in community with those I serve. While I also believe it is necessary to have boundaries between my work and home life, I think that aspiring to live in community with those I serve is the best way to inspire me each day to work and lead from a place of love. As a result, now that I am more comfortable in my role, I find it inspiring to aspire to this and am trying to adapt these ideas into my own life so as to live more integrated.

So what do you think? Perhaps this all sounds a bit too much like I am applying to be an RA, but I am curious what your thoughts are. How do you practice living integrated while also uplifting personal and professional boundaries? Most importantly, how do you believe we can cultivate boundaries without fracturing ourselves and allowing ourselves to lead from a place of love both professionally, and personally?

At this point in time, I by no means feel like I have any answers for these questions–but I am curious to learn more and am, as we speak, taking time to observe the ways that community and boundaries are appearing in my life, and the lives of those around me.

– Katharina Depenthal, Heartland Alliance Health

Arriving at the Kheprw work site for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I was parking not at an office building or cold, emotionless structure. Instead, I had arrived at a neighborhood. This is where most of the workers live and spend nearly all of their time together. Rather than sharing an office space, they share a community. The word “community” has continued to encompass my experience, and it’s what everyone here at Kheprw lives and breathes by. Every night one worker makes dinner for everyone else, and whoever is available will sit together on what’s lovingly called “the porch” as they talk through their day. I have had the pleasure to join on multiple occasions. On the first day I shared some personal passions, including my love of dystopian novels. The second day, I was given a dystopian book to read, free of charge. Moments like this have slowly cemented my respect and love for this organization and the people in it.

My work largely includes working with food-based programs. Food structures, food deserts, and food markets have filled my thoughts for the past month while working on projects and finding my place within this organization. I am currently managing our participation in a weekly food market, and I am helping with a weekly gardening class called Growin’ Good in the Hood. Kheprw has long believed in establishing food sovereignty through local efforts, and their work has led to many partnerships with local farms and gardens. Every week I am able to purchase food from a couple of these places and sell it at a market. One week Growin’ Good had a field trip to one of these gardens, Lawrence Community Gardens. Amber, who is in charge of operations, used the phrase “Labor of Love” to describe the work they are doing. I saw such love with my own eyes, through the sustainable practices used and through the mission of food justice. And, I see this love everywhere I look in this line of work. I see it in the farmers, I see it in the gardeners at Growin’ Good, and I see it in Kheprw itself. Everyone loves what they do because they care about why they are doing it. Whether it be food sovereignty, economic justice, or what Kheprw calls “community wealth building,” everyone here sees a greater purpose in their work.

Reflecting on this first month or so, I hope to find the same passions in my future. This work has been challenging, but I see and feel how important it is. My coworkers have taught me what it means to personally invest in your job, and what it means to invest in each other’s success. Although I largely work from home, I find myself speaking more and more with my fellow coworkers, as we discuss my projects or just our personal lives. Whatever career I pursue, I hope to build these same types of relationships, and to find my own “Labor of Love.”

– Emily Fletcher, Kheprw

As of today, I have been an intern at the Bridge Teen Center for around three weeks, and I am finally starting to settle into the apartment that I will call home for the next couple of months. The Bridge is a non-profit in the suburbs of Chicago with the mission to provide “free programs during after-school and unsupervised hours where students can develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a safe environment”. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect when I walked in on the first day, but I am already starting to feel at home there, just as hundreds of teens have. Amongst many other tasks, I have been able to help with volunteer events, interact with students in the job-readiness program, and even help a master chef during a student program.

Last week, I updated the volunteer bulletin board for summer. At first, this seemed like something that would be a quick and easy task. When researching possible quotes to include, I came across two that stood out to me. While I had heard both of these quotes already, after completing the first few weeks of my internship, I began to think about them in a different light. The first was this quote by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” While I have always liked this quote, it was not until recently that I was really able to appreciate it. I have come to see that every person at the Bridge, whether they are a volunteer, intern, or staff member, is an important part of a whole. While the work we do may not always seem important, as a team, even as a small non-profit, we can really make a difference. Redoing a bulletin board may not seem super important, but if it motivates even one person or brings a smile to someone’s face, it makes a difference. Additionally, I have come to accept that while I can not help everyone, helping even one can change the world for that person.

The second quote that resonated with me was “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” (Mahatma Gandhi). I feel like this quote is a total embodiment of what the CAPS Fellowship Program is. I decided to apply to be a CAPS fellow because I hoped to learn more about myself and potential paths for my future. If anything, I am even more confused as to my future, but I am learning that there are many different ways and numerous careers that will allow me to serve my community and help people. During the rest of the summer, I hope to explore more of what my place in this world is, and I am beginning to learn that the best way to do so is to just spend time serving others.

While I did not end up using either of these quotes for the project, instead opting for a more summer-themed one, I still learned a lot from this seemingly simple project. The finished project can be seen in my pictures. I hope it brings a smile to the face of the volunteers who see it. I can’t wait to continue serving and learning and interacting with all the other people who make this mission possible.

– Sophia Panfil, The Bridge Teen Center

In the two weeks that I have been here at the Grunewald Guild, I have done so much and meet many wonderful people. The Guild is a faith-based non-profit that facilitates summer art programs. There is quite a lot of work that goes into the Guild, like preparing for the guests to arrive, setting up studio spaces, communications, etc. My fellow intern and I have done everything from washing windows and cleaning floors to creating class spotlights that can be posted on various social media. I have already had so many new experiences that I was not expecting. Similar to Katie Endres, who is a CAPS fellow at the Guild as well, I had a few hiccups in getting to the guild at the planned time. I missed the shuttle that would take me from Seattle to Leavenworth, due to a slightly late arrival, resulting in me having to spend the night in Seattle. In hindsight this wasn’t too big of a deal, but this was my first time flying alone and across the country from my friends and family. This experience was certainly an exercise in learning to go with the flow and handle what life can throw at me, which is the first of many that I’m sure I will deal with over the course of the summer.

The constant flow of work is a bit exhausting, but the result is always worth every bit of energy. At the end of everyday, I am proud of the work that I did and am excited for people to arrive at the guild to really see the reason behind the work. It can sometimes be hard, while doing mundane tasks or physical labor, to understand what it is that we are working toward. Cleaning is not my favorite task in the world, but there are days when that is what needs doing, while I am in the thick of it, I often become very tired and frustrated, losing sight of the bigger picture. However, I am lucky enough to be working with people at a place that encourages us to look at the bigger picture, remember the reason that we are here and to remember what we are working towards. I am really looking forward to seeing how I grow through my time here at the guild. It is a place that values personal growth through community and already I have begun to feel how true that is. Working with my fellow intern, other volunteers, and my supervisor, I have learned valuable ways to effectively communicate and support each other not only in our work but in our personal lives. While the summer ahead feels a little daunting, I know that our little team here at the guild will be able to handle everything that is thrown at us and make this summer a happy and wonderful time for all of the people that visit. I am so happy that I get to be a little part of the guild’s long and full history and help it to continue on in the future.

– Natalie Gut, Grunewald Guild

I began interning for the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the Red Cross about a month ago and in that time I’ve learned so much about what it means to be a member of a non-profit organization run primarily by volunteer work. To be candid, the work done here is nothing like any of the work I have ever done in the best way possible. Each week has a different schedule and most days I end up meeting someone new as well. However, whether I spend a day canteening at a Triathlon or spend the week mostly at either the Merrillville or South Bend offices, I always learn something new. 

What surprised me most in the first couple weeks was the variety of opportunities to engage within the Red Cross. When most people think about the Red Cross the first thing that usually comes to mind is donating blood and mass care for national disasters. However, the first big event that I attended was neither. It was a Sound The Alarm event where volunteers of the Red Cross came together to help install new smoke alarms within the homes of Aetna, Gary. We joined up in groups of roughly four where each Red Cross volunteer was assigned a role. I was given the role of documenter which meant I was able to interact with clients and document the information (ie: how many alarms installed, how many didn’t work, etc.). The other roles were those who installed the smoke alarms, those who gave the clients information about hazards and went over an emergency plan, and the final volunteers were extra support for the installer. The coolest part was that this event was completely open to the public. Local community members could walk in and help out or request for their home to have smoke alarms installed. It was honestly heart-warming to see volunteers from the Red Cross, members of the local fire department, and random everyday people working all towards the same goal. Until this point I hadn’t considered what else the Red Cross was doing in the local communities, but I quickly found it was only the tip of the iceberg. From presenting to kids about being prepared on what to do if there was a fire to canteening for a triathlon early in the morning there is an opportunity for many kinds of people with vastly different interests.

Though the work itself is new for me, something that struck me as the most important difference was how the staff interacts with the people volunteering/working for them. I’m pretty accustomed to the rise and grind mentality fostered in academic settings and spaces like food service. However, the patience and genuine care I’ve seen and experienced from the people I work with has blown me away. Despite there being what seems like a million responsibilities on my supervisor Brent’s plate, he always takes the time to step back from that to check in on me–he’s even had to remind me to drink water and eat a couple times during long events. But it isn’t just him, every single one of the people I have met through working with the Red Cross has had that same passion of caring for others. I’ve met Penny who loves her community so much that she spends all of her time organizing events to help make it safer and welcoming. I’ve met Maddie, another intern, who spends tons of her time doing casework to help clients with their recovery in between classes and still somehow makes time to help me. I also met Kristen who, despite always being so busy, smiles so big while she works that you can’t help but to also smile. And there are so many more! Working with all of them has really lit a fire in me. The power of just being kind and welcoming can completely change the environment of a workplace. I know that while I work with them I will always have the space I need to grow and make mistakes–while still fostering that genuine love for the work itself. I’m not sure if they know the impact they have had on me just by being themselves, but I surely won’t forget it or them anytime soon. Someday, I hope to make the impact they have on me everyday for someone else.

– Tobias Hill, American Red Cross

I searched eagerly for a skyline as my GPS shouted directions at me. It said that I was about ten minutes out from the city. Growing up, visits to Chicago conditioned me to scan for skyscrapers to announce that our journey was nearly complete. Nearly 4 hours after leaving my family, friends, and familiar space, I arrived in Indianapolis. I didn’t know anything about the city outside of the arts scene. However, I would soon be thrust into Indy summer which was already well underway. My host family, the Pumphrey’s met me with open arms and welcomed me into their neighborhood with a tour. In the two weeks I got to spend with them, three kids and a dog, I felt received with open arms. 

I have done a lot of things since coming to the city, but by far the best thing about it is the instant sense of community. It may be because the Harrison Center is so community-oriented but the time it took me to feel welcomed and wanted was so short. Through the arts, the center can uplift and support its surroundings instead of working against them. My fellow interns are so creative and kind that it makes going to work that much better. Each person is working on different things, but there is also a lot of room for collaboration which I enjoy. It’s nice to be able to take initiative and start my own projects but then be able to get feedback and help with things. 

There are lots of projects that I am working on. The underlying large project that I will be a part of requires me to do a lot of research. I am assisting Nabil Ince, a musician that has been a part of the Harrison Center mission for years, with creating 5 songs about different sectors of black life in historically African American neighborhoods in Indianapolis. I will be assisting with some of the groundwork, talking to pillars of the community, asking questions, going out into the city, and uncovering the real connections between these different sections. I will also be hopefully assisting with some music-making! Songs that can uplift the community and provide positive and truthful messages are good for everyone. IMAF, Independent Music and Arts Festival is also happening this month so there is tons of prep that is going into that. I will be helping make volunteer shirts, set up, and more. This is the 21st year that the festival has been held! There is of course more but I’m out of words, for now, I’ll keep you all updated.

-Reese Foytik, Harrison Center

I have completed my first week here at The Grunewald Guild! This in itself is quite a feat. I arrived two days later than intended because of flight cancellations that left me stranded in the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. This unexpected obstacle was frustrating and filled me with uncertainty for the months ahead. Would I be behind at The Guild by arriving late? Was my checked bag lost to the void? Is this a bad omen for the summer? Now, I sit on the porch of River House where Natalie Gut, CAPS Fellow and friend, and I are staying for the summer. Our view of the turbulent Wenatchee River, thick, tall forests, and glorious mountains settle my nerves.

The Guild, like the environment it is placed in, maintains a balance between wild, unkempt chaos and serene moments of liveliness. The Guild is in transition. It, like the river that borders it, is flowing with change and new life. “What I love most about rivers is you can’t step in the same river twice,” Pocahontas (1995). The three co-directors, Julia, Kari, and Chance, started in April and will be experiencing a Guild summer for the first time like Natalie and me. They each bring a unique expertise and passion. Their leadership style is cooperative and values others’ input. This sacred space is deeply rooted in tradition, in history, in the past, much like the expansive forests that surround us. The challenge has become creating a fruitful ecosystem between the two powerful entities. Though with sharp edges, one can look to the shoreline to realize that this unification is possible. The mountains are symbolic of the challenges faced by The Guild staff. Challenges that feel insurmountable, until you turn around and see how each step of the hike has led you closer to the summit.

    Okay, okay, I’ll lay off the metaphor now and get into the details of my time here. As a general Communications major, I am seeing and experiencing many of my lessons being implemented in real-time. I’m experiencing an ideal version of leadership that I feel is seldom utilized. The directors are task-oriented and driven, but deeply value the humanity in work. We begin each day with a check-in of our priorities for the day as well as a reflection of our successes, challenges, and current headspace. We actively hold one another accountable for our tangible goals and self-care. These first two weeks are busy as we prepare for guests. We’ve been deep cleaning the art studios as well as stocking supplies for the miscellaneous mediums that will be taught this summer. I’ve begun to help with the social media schedule and rollout. This task will be a test of what I’ve learned over the past few years and I hope to increase interactions and help widen the scope of participants. Hospitality is a term that I think captures the general body of my work so far. Director Chance has quite an eye for detail and has provided me with a better understanding of presentation and guest accommodations. He, with Julia and Kari, have eased many of my fears upon entering this role. I was nervous that I “wouldn’t be enough” or that I “wouldn’t do enough” among other irrationalities. They have created a work environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and volunteering for new experiences. 

Since I am only one week in, I haven’t yet found the answers to my questions of calling and purpose. I know that at this mome nt my purpose is to serve The Guild by choreographing a successful summer of artistic expression, faith exploration, and community building. I must be satisfied with that response for now. Satisfied with the fact that my universal purpose and professional calling will not reveal themselves one week into a new experience. Hopefully, at the end of the summer when I check in with you again, I’ll have a more grand response.

– Katie Endres, Grunewald Guild

A little over two weeks ago, my internship with the Volunteer Recruitment department of the American Red Cross began. Time really flies– I already feel like a fully integrated member of the Volunteer Services team. Over the course of the past two weeks, I’ve taken the time to speak with as many members of the American Red Cross network as possible (whether in my department or not). The key lesson I’ve learned by listening to people’s stories is that the movies couldn’t be further from the truth; employment does not need to be a miserable, never-ending cycle of insipidity. Every person I’ve met has been full of life, and full of love for their position. I’ve really gained hope for my future these past two weeks, knowing that I am not doomed to de spise the career path I’ve chosen (and currently love). 

I have also learned about my versatility. In August, I will be beginning my graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies… This is a far cry from a Volunteer Recruitment internship. At first I was hesitant to make this leap, but now I am so glad I did. Working with the rest of the ARC team has shown me how to push my boundaries. In terms regarding to my calling, what I know is this: I can never do just one thing. This internship has really awakened my love for creating. So far, exercising my own imagination while generating marketing materials has been the highlight of my two weeks. Again, this is far from a career as a medical professional. Still, I know this creativity is not something I can give up. With the Volunteer Services team, I am seeing how I can apply my own passions to my work, and this does not need to stop when I enter the healthcare field. I’ve been thinking about how, when I am treating patients, I can apply these new marketing skills. I believe it would be a great benefit to create engaging, simple patient handouts regarding basic medical ailments, such as how to treat one’s own disease (diabetes, for example, or high blood pressure) at home. I think this would help the current medical predicament of patients forgetting most of what a healthcare professional tells them during their visit, which is no fault of their own. 

I’ve also seen how I flourish in a team environment. While that may seem a bit cliche, I mean it. Throughout my undergraduate career, I’ve always viewed myself as an independent learner and worker. As a freshman, I would view myself as shy. Now, as a graduate student, I would say the opposite is true. When in the Merrillville ARC office, I find myself losing time talking to the other employees. Everyone is so kind and energetic- I don’t want to leave to work on my projects! This is not something I would have done as a freshman in college. 

In summation, what I have learned is this: my calling is to have more than one calling. I am not a person destined to work a singular job. I want to be a healthcare professional after I graduate– but I also want to create. Marketing is something I truly enjoy, which I would have never thought of before this internship. Opening a bakery has been a dream of mine for years… so why can’t I do it? Creating my own edible art, while also creating campaigns to promote it: the dream!

There’s no reason why I can’t run my own business, or have a homestead. Why can’t I also pursue a career in creating patient education materials? Rescuing farmed animals from our barbaric, sadistic food system is another dream of mine. I’ve also written journal articles and research papers about this issue. 

So picture this: Victoria Cammarano, MPAS, PA-C. Owner of “Vegan Vic’s Bakery.” Founder of “One World Farmed Animal Sanctuary.” Writer and Author. Professor of Bioethics. Mother. Grandmother. 

I have a lot of work to do! I just hope I have enough time.

-Victoria Cammarano, American Red Cross

Water is everywhere. Above the Earth in the form of both air and clouds. On the surface of Earth in the forms of rivers, oceans, and ice. Inside the Earth just right under the surface. 

Could this be why it is the most basic, yet taken for granted, human need? Because it’s everywhere.

With nearly 71% of the Earth’s surface being water, and for a person who has water at their daily disposal it can be hard to understand how water could be unavailable, or that people could be going without. 

I mean if you think about it, people in the United States even associate water with recreational activities and even vacation, some people might even take its far to say that being in or near the water is their “happy place”.

Now let’s think about a few things. 

How many times a day do you think the average person fills their water bottle? Also to keep in mind, more than likely the water bottle “has” to be an insulated HydroFlask to keep the water perfectly chilled. Think about it.

How many times a week do you think the average person takes a shower? If not one daily, but potentially multiple daily depending on their profession and lifestyle. Think about it.

How many times a month do you think the average person leaves the water running for the duration of time while brushing their teeth? Also, if this is multiplied by two, considering the person brushes their teeth both morning and evening. Think about it.

Think about the number of conversations that have been exchanged between individuals, over what’s considered to be a highly debatable topic of “What brand of water is the best?”. I mean it’s definitely, Ice Mountain, am I right or are they all the same?

During our lives, we all have been guilty of at least one or multiple of these instances.With these instances, it exemplifies the role of water within the average United States citizen’s life. These instances also only begin to scratch the surface of how people are able to quickly take for granted the access and availability of water we have within our country. 

Speaking statistically, the average person is made up of 60% of water. Our hearts and brains are composed of 73% water. Our lungs are composed of 83% water. People need water. It is part of our physical make-up but also an attribute in ensuring quality of life throughout other aspects of our lives that physical well-being impacts. 

It is devastating to think that there are people lacking access and availability to water, and that ultimately impacts their quality of life.

With that being said, that statement takes us to a different location of the world, that being rural African Communities within Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Within these communities, water is not as easily available as it is within the United States, and if it is, the water is both unclean and unsafe for people to use, but they are still using it because it is all they have. And as we know, people need water. 

For women and children within these communities, they will wake up early in the morning to spend approximately 6 walking, waiting, and fetching for the unclean, unsafe water to bring back to their family. Within their walks for water, there are obstacles and challenges that both women and children encounter. 

For the children’s challenges, they are spending on average 6 hours of their day walking, waiting, and fetching for the water. With that being said, it leaves little time in their day for education. Will a child fetch water or will they attend school? Children have to make a choice or the choice is ultimately made for them. Something to also be considered with children not being able to attend school is the consideration of young girls; since they are not having the opportunity to be educated, they are getting married younger which then leads to becoming a wife, then mother, and then serving their family without ever having been able to receive an education.

And for women’s obstacles, they experience feelings of fear and uncertainty as they are traveling lengthy distances in unfamiliar surroundings putting them at a higher risk of potentially being sexually assaulted as they are walking for water. With that, the walk for water is long, if a woman is spending her entire day walking, waiting, and fetching water she is not able to upkeep with the household demands of making a house a home, therefore dinner is not on the table when her husband gets home and the house isn’t clean; depending on the relationship and circumstances, this can lead to instances of domestic abuse.

For the basic need of water, women and children are sacrificing their quality of life to provide for the people of their communities. Also to mention, with the unclean and unsafe water, it is often ridden with waterborne diseases, then bringing an entirely different set of health related problems to these rural African communities because people are getting sick from the water. 

When we stop and think about it, it is incredibly hard to wrap our minds around. This concept of how desperate the people within the communities are for water, then here in the United States we won’t drink a bottle of water if it isn’t our preferred brand or we won’t drink a bottle of water if it is warm. But this entitlement comes from having water at our fingertips, and not having to think twice about where it comes from or how our lives would be different if we didn’t have it so readily available.

For the people of these rural African communities, this is where the blessing of the work done by Water to Thrive comes into effect. With Water to Thrive building a well within communities in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda they are essentially being “built a blessing” when a well is established within a community.

With the funding and building of a well, a community is able to have easier access to clean and safe water which will ultimately improve and impact the quality of their lives positively.

With having access to clean and safe water, the aspects of life positively impacted are overall better health, improved sanitation and hygiene, more opportunity for education, and decreased instances of both sexual assault and domestic violence.

Also, the time it takes to walk, wait, and fetch for water is decreased exponentially because the clean water source within the community is placed in a central, practical location that allows for convenient access allowing for women and children to pursue other endeavors enhancing their quality of life with either pursuing education, taking up a trade, or developing a craft for revenue. 

Overall, the work that Water to Thrive does to fund and build a well within a community helps aid in the Global Water Crisis and impact the lives of the users for the better, while also providing longevity and sustainability within the community and their relationship with water. 

Through my internship position, I have been able to be a small part in making a larger impact with the work I have done this summer. For my internship project, I was first able to do Marketing and Outreach within my local area, with hopes to potentially spread the message about Water to Thrive. From there, my project was extended to Media Outreach with my goal being to initiate and implement the summer Facebook Live Series, “Where There is a Well, There is Hope”. This Series was educationally based, with each week being centered around a different topic relating to the Global Water Crisis, Water to Thrive, and the work being done through the nonprofit. All of the sessions can be found on the Water to Thrive Facebook Page. 

Being an intern with Water to Thrive this summer, I have felt incredibly thankful to have had this eye opening, perspective changing experience in relation to educating and understanding in greater depth the Global Water Crisis. Then being able to pay my knowledge forward in raising awareness and educating on the Global Water Crisis while also sharing the mission of Water to Thrive with others.

I began the application process for the CAPS fellowship by working on a personal statement which took me days – even weeks – to complete. Coming to Valparaiso University, I had struggled trying to simply decide what I wanted to study. Now I found myself sitting in front of a blank page on my computer screen struggling to discuss what my interests were or what possible career endeavors I hoped for in the near future. The only thing I have been certain of since childhood is my desire to help others. Throughout my life, numerous things such as hobbies, sports, and extracurriculars have pulled my attention in various directions. However, the one thing that threaded everything together was my desire to help people.

It was not until nearing the end of my internship experience and having an intellectual conversation with a mutual friend of mine that I discerned what it is I am called to do. Over coffee, this woman and I were discussing my current internship with Water to Thrive and the work I was doing. One of the things that I mentioned was how much I loved that I was working both in the field of communication doing community outreach, but also fundraising, which is more related to the field of nonprofit. I explained that I was experiencing the same amount of fulfillment as I had assumed only came from the types of helping professions that work hands-on with others, such as doctors, counselors, or teachers. The epiphany I had when my coffee date responded to this totally changed my viewpoint on a profession in fundraising.

Just because I was not providing hands-on help or services to others this summer does not mean I was not doing anything of benefit. Raising funds in order to allow these opportunities to occur genuinely was and is the root of all positive outcomes for an organization. At Water to Thrive, the work I did directly impacted the way that the business could run and to what extent their organization can help those in need. Just because this career field is one that is more business-focused does not mean that it is any less important and in alignment with the mission of the organization. Working at Water to Thrive was so eye-opening and only furthered my interests and desire to fundraise for a non-profit organization post-graduation. I have already begun applying for job opportunities since I am graduating in December, and without this summer internship, I would have never known how to narrow down this search.

During my time in DC I have found a favorite pizza place, as one always should when living in a new place. Situated perfectly on the route to the Lincoln memorial, &Pizza is the ideal pick-me-up after a long day of sightseeing and easily found when wanting to meet a new friend for dinner. It’s also a chipotle-style pizza place, meaning that you’re able to customize your pizza from the sauce to the drizzle on top and an excellent size for dinner plus leftovers. I’ve found myself going often when with others and it was the first place I ate when moving in for the summer. Like &Pizza, my time as a CAPS fellow has been very customizable both in and out of the workspace. I have been able to choose whether to live at home or move to a big city, to work with child welfare or senior services, to have one roommate or three in my apartment, and how to engage with the CAPS community and with communities here in Washington DC. 

The one decision I was most excited about making was working with Lutheran Services in America as my CAPS fellowship. I remember my interview fondly. I immediately felt welcomed and that I would have the opportunity to explore different sectors within LSA and be able to learn along the way. This rang true throughout my internship, as each person I interacted with at work welcomed me with warm smiles and encouraging comments. 

A lot about this summer left me with more questions than answers about my future and even about what the rest of my time at Valpo will be like. I have questions like, do I want to go grad school and when? What do I study after undergrad? Where do I want my networks to be? Where should I live to cultivate these networks? What jobs do I want to look for after my undergraduate degree? However, my time at Lutheran Services in America has shown me that being within a supportive work environment is one of my most important bases for my future. To be supported and able to receive constructive feedback among colleagues is essential to a successful organization. 

Another thing I’ve learned through my experiences this summer is the importance of community and networks. When arriving in DC, I knew I still wanted to be involved with my faith life even when away from home and the Valpo community. So, I joined a local church and was able to spend the summer making connections with young adults around the nation’s capital. Some of them were young professionals who had lived here for several years and some were summer interns like me. By listening to their stories and journeys I was able to learn valuable advice while creating relationships that will hopefully last beyond a summer. I was able to get an inside look on what living in the capital is like when it’s more than just a few weeks. I also learned the struggles and joys of other internships and working environments which will inevitably help shape my professional path in the future. 

Traveling to a new city is one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out where to go, planning itineraries, and observing the distinct culture of the new place. So, needless to say, I was elated to get the chance to stay in Austin, Texas for three weeks as part of my internship with Water to Thrive. Before arriving, I spent time researching and learning about what Austin was like and all of the activities to-do. I have learned when traveling that it is better not to hold tight to expectations, and to come into a new place with as open a mind as possible. Of course, it is impossible to have no preconceived ideas of what a new place will be like, but it has helped me to truly enjoy a new place.

Keeping an open mind while traveling has also translated into starting my internship. When starting anything new, it is easy to have an idea of what it will be like. This could be either extreme excitement or dread, or something in-between. For me, a fresh graduate, the transitioning time between college and “the real world” has been different to what I thought. Yet, it has shown me how I have no control over specifics, but I do have control over what I do and how I think about it. For example, even though I may not be able to understand traffic or the weather, I can adjust my attitude about it. For example, even when it begins to down-pour while paddle boarding, I can keep a cheery attitude and recognize that the rain was actually helpful in cooling me down after being in 90 degree Texas weather. This is just a small silly example, but the same is true as I continue to work through my internship. 

Water to Thrive does amazing work in building sustainable water wells in rural East Africa, which is the kind of work I am extremely passionate about. It is hard to find an organization that cares so deeply about truly changing lives, and not just creating band-aid fixes to massive global issues. It is also difficult to find an organization working on international aid that does not allow donors to go and physically help with the work. I think this well-intentioned help can often cause more hurt, and works to boost the ego of Americans who travel across the globe to help with a cause. Donors may visit the sites, but they are not allowed to help with building the wells themselves. Thus, at Water to Thrive, the work here in Austin is mostly to achieve funding so that local communities in Africa can build and establish their wells. After taking many classes on how to serve global communities well, I was ecstatic to learn about how Water to Thrive effectively makes a difference in the world without playing into the white-savior trope. Of course the role of the donor is important, but what is most important is the community being served. This is what caught my attention when I first learned about Water to Thrive. 

My role as an intern is to begin establishing corporate partnerships with local businesses— something I have never really done before. I knew it would be a challenge on both a large scale especially post-2020 since so many businesses have struggled financially. However, I also knew it would be challenging on a personal scale since I have had to teach myself about how businesses work and how to make a corporate business feasible. Something I subconsciously expected, however, was that businesses would be extremely receptive and responsive to my pitch. Why wouldn’t they want to support a cause that is so meaningful? Although I always try to come into new situations with few high expectations, I found that I do sometimes have the idea that everyone cares deeply about global causes. In my role, which has been mostly research, outreach, and some designing, it has been difficult to decipher the interest level of those that I am reaching out to. 

Last week, I was able to tag along with Kim and Morgan in asking for specific donations to local businesses for Water to Thrive’s silent auction. In this in-person situation, I was able to finally see the generous spirit of business owners and managers. It was encouraging to hear people’s intentions and excitement over our mission. Austin seems like a very generous city, it is one that has different initiatives to help community members. Most businesses already have some sort of philanthropic endeavor, and it is easy to see why Austin is the fastest growing city in North America.

So, for me, even though my work is not directly with those that Water to Thrive is serving, I have to remind myself that the mission is greater than my own small tasks. Discouragement is part of working for a non-profit, simply because of the unknown nature of where funding will come from. Yet, conversely, there is great excitement and joy in seeing the generosity and willingness to give in these particularly hard times. Being in the office where I get to see images of joy of those in rural communities receiving water, has also helped me in maintaining my passion for my work. 

My own frustration and joy has been part of the beauty of this summer. Challenges help me grow, and I can already see how my summer at Water to Thrive has impacted me and exposed the kind of work that I enjoy. It is easy to get caught up in the small inconveniences of my life here— a lack of response, a wrong bus, an unexpected rainstorm— and yet, these are the things that make this experience so unique. I have the chance to take these small problems and change my perspective. Instead of inconveniences they are an opportunity for a follow up, for more sight-seeing, and for the chance to see a rainbow.

My time at LINC Ministries is quickly dwindling; I am feeling very downhearted towards this memorable chapter in my life ending. I have felt incredibly humbled to be both a CAPS Fellow and an intern for my dream nonprofit. This month I have started a project that has differentiated from the rest of my internship tasks. I have had the privilege of kickstarting a LINC Ministries project called Root to Rise. Saint Philip is a Lutheran church nestled in between the neighborhoods of Logan Square and Rogers Park of Chicago. This region is overflowing with diversity; many of the residents are from different countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The church has an abandoned Early Childhood Center which has been closed for three years now. At one point, learning was cultivated inside these walls for young children through the hands of passionate teachers, however, it is now a desolate and somber building. Thankfully, starting in the fall, the building will be transformed into a cultural arts and community center for families and children in the area. During the day the community center will house a workspace for residents to come and spend time in. During the evening, the building will become an afterschool program for students. It is crucial that these immigrant students have a place to congregate at night because they are unfortunately susceptible to becoming vulnerable to gang-related encounters. The children will be given the opportunity to express themselves individually and culturally during their time at Root to Rise. Classes such as dance, art, yoga, and other similar activities will be offered for the students. These classes will allow the students to learn more about their abilities as well as the abilities of others who may be different from them. This building will soon encourage hope for this flourishing community– the seed will be planted, the roots will firmly create a foundation, and the fellowship will rise.

In the meantime, I have been preparing Saint Philip for this impending project. Currently, the building has been used as a dumping ground for Saint Philip’s items; my job has been to organize and clear out these items. I have found myself in Chicago’s unpredictable summer days; I experienced 90 degree weather in that unairconditioned building and a brisk 60 degree day, preparing the building for renovations. I filled up over thirty trash bins, swept for two hours, hosted two curb alerts, and donated items. I have accumulated sweat and dirt, gained a new knowledge of social work, thanks to Brene Brown’s podcasts, and walked in with far too many iced matcha lattes.

In all seriousness, I have enjoyed the opportunities and challenges that have come out of this project. I have had the privilege of connecting with the community through hosting curb alerts and community meetings. The curb alerts that we hosted at Saint Philip were a joy; residents of the community were able to come out, grab free items, and learn about the upcoming project at Saint Philip. It was encouraging to meet so many community members and learn about their stories. My boss and I were able to develop relationships and make connections for the future. I learned that with any opportunity comes many challenges. Clearing out Saint Philip was not easy; a lot of the time, my thoughts felt clouded and my body felt weak from all of the physical toil. I did enjoy the stillness that came with the building though, I found myself dreaming of the potential of it. What allowed me to keep going was the dreamt up visualization of my end goal. I knew that this cultural arts and community center would not be able to exist without the clearing of the building. I knew that I had a responsibility to fulfill, for the community. Through this experience, I was able to learn that hard work always pays off; nonprofit work is not always pretty but the end result is what makes it worth it. It took strong discipline to work on one project continually, but I am so glad that I kept with it. I hope to come back to Root to Rise years from now and see the impact that it has had on the community. I know in my heart that every long day spent at this building will soon produce fruitful fellowship for a community in need.

Working in the office!

My first two months here at the Grünewald Guild have flown by. As the hospitality intern for summer programming, I have been busy getting the campus ready for guests and creating a welcoming and comfortable environment during their stay. I order supplies, assign weekly responsibilities to staff, and oversee the turnover of guest housing each weekend. Since programming is at half capacity for the summer, the groups have been smaller, allowing us to form close connections during shared meals, classes, and free time. The biggest change over the past two weeks has been switching from almost completely unstructured days without guests, to having a daily schedule with meals and activities. This has shifted my daily work routine and my timeline for getting things done. Instead of being able to plan out my day according to my most productive times and the specific tasks for the day, I am guided by mealtimes and morning and evening services. While I enjoy having guests here, this shift has highlighted the importance of work-life balance.

My morning commute to the Centrum is a two-minute walk across campus (even shorter if I’m late for breakfast). The Centrum is the main building on campus and houses the office, community living room, kitchen, and dining area of the Guild. Living at my workplace has had major benefits. For one, my coworkers are also my friends and neighbors. The six other staff members are the only people that I see on a regular basis, so we spend lots of time together outside of our daily work obligations. When temperatures reached 115 degrees here a few weeks ago, we drove an hour to Wenatchee to see the

A staff outing to the 59er Diner with Gray, Judy, and Lucy

new Fast and Furious movie together which was a great way to beat the heat. We’ve made many trips to the nearby diner for milkshakes and gone on quite a few hikes. Living here has also allowed me to be completely immersed in my work and see how my projects impact guest experience and daily functioning on campus. The seeds we planted in June are now the plants in the garden that I walk by each day and enjoy in my meals. And I benefit from the organizing and cleaning work I do by having more enjoyable spaces to be in.

Despite the many perks of staying on campus, there are some challenges when it comes to navigating the balance of work and rest. Since I rarely leave the campus for more than an hour, it is easy for me to keep adding on projects to my day and find things that need to be done. My day starts at 7:30-8am with breakfast set up and ends at 8pm after evening service. Instead of a contained eight-hour workday, I end up working somewhat sporadically throughout the day which can lead to me feeling both overworked, and underproductive. I really enjoy what I do, so it is easy for me to see things that need to be done around campus and jump in without considering if I have the time and energy to do so. However, this challenge has given me the opportunity to practice setting boundaries and prioritizing my personal time as well as my projects.

Painting on the porch in my free time!

Understanding what needs to be done and what can wait or be delegated to others’ is one of the most important things I have learned. During the 24-hour period between guests leaving on Saturday and arriving on Sunday, there are a lot of tasks to complete, but by assigning clear roles to each staff member, I feel confident resting on Saturday nights after my responsibilities are done. I also have more time during the week for the activities I enjoy such as hiking, art projects, and spending time with the staff.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home became the new normal, with the utilization of virtual meetings, projects, and collaboration. For some, working remotely increased productivity and flexibility, but it is likely that others struggled to set boundaries between work and rest. This summer, I have realized that no matter if I work from home or commute to the office in the future, I have the tools I need to distinguish between my professional and personal life and will be better equipped to set boundaries on my work. There is always more I could be doing, but being present in the moment, preserving my mental and physical well-being, and enjoying the time I have here are important too. When I find balance in my work, I am a better employee, neighbor, and friend. As guests continue to come and go this month, I am excited to hear their stories and make connections, as well as extend hospitality and kindness to welcome them into our community.

Going into CAPS, I had the assumption that most if not all of the placements would be remote, i.e. work from home. While this work style offered flexibility of location giving me the opportunity to travel and work anywhere I had Wi-Fi, I was worried about the potential lack of connections to the organization and staff. How could I form meaningful relationships and create a positive change if I was never in the same place with the people I was working toward that change with? To my surprise, after being selected as a fellow, many of the placements were in person or had in-person components. Going into the organization interviews, I didn’t let the pros or cons of either modality of work skew my opinion of the nonprofit organizations. Rather, I was focused on two somewhat simple things I am looking for in my future career: connection to the people and passion for the work. After my interview with Lutheran Services in America (LSA), I was overjoyed! I felt as if I had known the person who interviewed me my whole life, all of the nerves went away, and I felt like I was catching up with an old friend. When talking about the mission of LSA, it was apparent how much she believed in it. When she asked me what I was most passionate about, I shared my drive to advocate for and give a voice to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Then, we talked about the LSA Disability Network (DN) and how my passion could be fulfilled and expanded within it and I knew that LSA was the place for me.

My very first week with LSA, I had an introductory zoom meeting scheduled with every single member of the staff. Each meeting was like the others even though they were all different people working from different places. The first word that comes to mind when I think of those interactions and the people is genuine. They truly were interested in getting to know me and offer their support in any way they could. The phrase many of them used was “professionally and personally” indicating their desire to support me as a person and not solely as a summer intern.

Maybe it’s that LSA has such a small staff. Maybe it’s because they are all truly passionate about the work they are doing. Or maybe it’s because they cultivate a work environment where mutual respect, open dialogue, and empathy are the driving force behind every interaction.

As discussed during my first interview, much of the work I do is with the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network (LSA-DN). The DN has 16 dedicated members that have conversations and training around disability advocacy and policy and how to improve and enrich the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The same genuineness that I continue to witness with my coworkers is also evident with these members. They are honest about how they are feeling within their organizations and within their lives. In a world where so many people are taught to leave their problems at the door when coming to work, it is so encouraging to see and hear these people opening up to one another and to me, a new face on the zoom gallery screen.

I don’t believe that these characteristics are only found at LSA. I truly believe this level of connection and empathy can be fostered anywhere (even in a virtual setting) as long as there is an intention. An intention not to be the best organization or even be the most efficient, but an intention to truly see the people you are working with and for as human beings. Within nonprofits, I think it is easy to lose sight of your staff because of the focus on the change you are trying to make in a community or in the world. While it is important to have this focus, taking a moment to acknowledge the humanness of the people doing the work and putting in the effort for the change can break down a barrier between those serving and those being served. This is when trust is created and a culture of empathy and understanding is cultivated.