I greatly enjoyed meeting with people from the Woodlawn community and hearing their stories. My role allowed me to meet one-on-one with these individuals, listen to them, and collaboratively create a plan and goals pointing towards finding and maintaining a job.
Because the organization is small, I was given a lot responsibility. Some projects I was given to work on included grant research, program development research, and program partner outreach.
What I wish was different
Occasionally I would find myself in a lull wishing there was more to do. You also have to be comfortable and enjoy working alone often. Besides working with clients, your are left alone in the conference room.
Advice
If a student is interested in this position or an internship with Hope Works Community Development, I would recommend they do some research on the Woodlawn community, such as its demographic, history, and economy. Research about Woodlawn will help students better understand what most of the community members face.
Also, I recommend students not come in with the perception of the Woodlawn community being deficient. Woodlawn has many resources and talented individuals, who mostly just need assistance networking, getting connected, and learning soft skills. There is already great work happening in Woodlawn, by and from the Woodlawn neighborhood.
