Archive for the ‘internship program’ Category

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. David is a senior at Cleveland State University.

Placement: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

When most people think of vital services to the community, public transit usually is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, for the millions of people that rely on public transit to get to work every day, it is a necessity. With the rising prices of gas and parking in Cleveland costing up to $12 a day, people are spending a large percentage of their income on their daily commute. In a struggling economy, this is becoming a large problem for many households. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is simple: ride RTA. RTA offers affordable transportation to anywhere you need to go in the Cleveland area including work, school and your favorite restaurant.

During the internship, I have helped with RTA’s Ready to Ride program, learned about all of RTA’s facilities, wrote articles for newsletters, was the photographer at RTA’s events, and so much more. During the middle of my internship, we started preparing for the filming of The Avengers movie in Cleveland. During this time, I worked with RTA staff to find ways of informing people about the road closures and bus reroutes. This was the time where RTA really shined. All of the departments got together and were able to come up with an effective plan despite all of the uncertainties about filming schedules. I am proud to have been at RTA this summer and work with an amazing staff that puts the needs of the public first in their minds.

This internship has been an incredible experience and I would like to thank the Cleveland Foundation staff for this amazing opportunity and everyone at RTA for allowing me to work with them this summer. I would also like to thank my fellow interns for teaching me so much about the nonprofit and public sectors and helping me grow as a young professional. It was an honor to have met such an outstanding group of individuals. I wish them luck on their future endeavors.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns the chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Joanne is a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Placement: University Hospitals Health System

This summer I was placed at University Hospitals, splitting my time between the Center for Child Health and Policy at Rainbow and the newly formed Office of Sustainability working on projects focused on the multiple ways food and the hospital intersect. When friends and family hear about my position I usually get two main reactions. The first is confusion over what sustainability in a hospital means and the second is confusion over how my position relates to my degree in botany. The botany question requires a shorter answer (working on projects surrounding food is just studying the use of plants by people), but sustainability is a bit more complex to explain.

Sustainability in business used to mean that your company was going to profitable enough to be around for the next 100 years. Today sustainability in business means following a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit to ensure that your company, the community the company serves, and resources the company uses will be around for the next 100 years. Sustainability in a hospital means looking at all aspects of operations, which far exceed just doctors and nurses caring for patients, and seeing ways in which the hospital can support the community, reduce its environmental impact, and save money at the same time.

A project I worked on that illustrates sustainability in action is a food donation project at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. If the hospital cafeteria has leftover entrees and side dishes after a meal service, the traditional choice has been to throw it in the garbage, but the sustainable choice is donating this food to a local organization. I worked with UH’s food service provider, Sodexo, to match them with a local organization that could accept the premade food. Donating the food helps to strengthen the community as it provides a valuable resource to those who are under a strong financial strain to provide for their families. By diverting the food from the trash it reduces the environmental impact of the hospital by keeping the food out of a landfill. This practice saves money by lessening the volume of trash generated by the kitchen which leads to savings through less frequent trash pick ups.

At such a large institution as UH the little sustainability measures really do add up. For example, by powering off your computer at night you can save approximately $90 per computer per year. Lets say that 5,000 of UH’s approximately 15,690 employees have computers they can power down by the end of the year UH could have saved $450,000, enough to pay the salary of seven registered nurses. Sustainable choices don’t just mean saving the environment, they save jobs.

Making these sustainable choices second nature to employees requires a culture shift within the organization. With over 15,000 employees spread out between 150 locations this shift takes time, but it is something that the dedicated staff in the sustainability office and other employees of UH are committed to making a reality.

Come check out our efforts at our table at Ingenuity Fest September 16-18th.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Nick is a graduate student from Case Western Reserve University

Placement: Business Volunteers Unlimited

As over 250 young professionals departed Edgewater Park for BVU’s Summer of Service event, BVU’s mission of “linking businesses and nonprofits to foster excellence in the nonprofit sector” was running through my mind.

Interns and young professionals from 26 different organizations (including the Cleveland Foundation) volunteered at 17 nonprofits in Greater Cleveland for the afternoon. On a typical weekday, these young professionals would be diligently working at Medical Mutual of Ohio, Eaton Corporation, Hyland Software, or some other local organization. However, on this afternoon they joined together to volunteer over 900 hours and make an estimated impact of $20,000 in the community.

As the Cleveland Foundation intern placed at BVU, I was responsible for coordinating many of the details of the day. This is a daunting logistical task, but fortunately many dedicated people from other organizations stepped forward to make the day a success. Ultimately, despite the 95 degree weather, it turned out to be an amazing day that definitely benefitted the nonprofits involved, but I believe also benefitted each volunteer.

My other main task during my summer internship is reaching out to local nonprofits to show how BVU can support their work in the community. BVU is able to link nonprofits to business professionals to serve on their boards or volunteer their business skills with projects at the nonprofits. The online Volunteer Center at BVU connects volunteers in the general public to volunteer opportunities at local nonprofits.

My meetings with local nonprofit leaders this summer have revealed the deep passion that exists in Cleveland to help those in need. It has also shown me the important role organizations like BVU and the Cleveland Foundation play in connecting these nonprofits to resources within the community. Everyone wants to continuously improve our community and these organizations bring people together to make a significant impact in Cleveland.

To learn more about BVU visit: www.businessvolunteers.org

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Colleen is a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University.

Placement: International Women’s Air & Space Museum

Everyone knows who Amelia Earhart was.  Her disappearance is perhaps more widely known than her participation in the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, but here at the International Women’s Air & Space Museum it is her life and her contributions to women in aviation for which she is celebrated.  Luckily for me, she is also the reason I get to spend my summer digging through the museum’s files and photographic collection of early female pilots.  I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program and placed in my first choice organization.  My main project here is to gather, organize, digitize, and catalog the museum’s vast collection of Amelia Earhart photos.  These photos run the gamut from widely distributed press photos to small, personal snapshots from before she became a famous aviatrix.  Along with the typical information recorded when cataloging the images, I have been able to use my sleuthing skills to try to contextualize them.  This involves comparing the many pictures to each other by drawing on my visual memory, consulting the overflowing Amelia files consisting of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and more, and even doing some good old fashioned Google searches for visual comparisons of her companions.  I have been extremely fortunate to have as much freedom and use of the museum’s resources as I need to successfully complete the project, and I have found my work very satisfying.

In addition to this project, I have taken on some extra tasks as the museum transitions between Executive Directors.  Our annual wine tasting fundraiser, Corks in the Concourse, will happen on September 2nd, the Friday before the Air Show, so I have been helping to get ready for one of the busiest weekends at our home in Burke Lakefront Airport.  I have written letters to local and national organizations asking for donations for our silent auction, used my existing contacts to book a music program, and I designed the invitations using software with which I had no previous experience.  The other people in the office have been very welcoming and encouraging, including me in their own projects and allowing me to bring my own strengths and personality to add to the museum and its programming.

It is easy to feel inspired in a museum celebrating the history of women in aviation and space, but this internship has gone above and beyond my expectations.  I feel that I have thrived in this environment, and I have truly embraced the freedom and creativity given to me on my various projects.  My main objective in this internship was to make a difference, however small, on a nonprofit organization, and I feel that I have left my fingerprint and accomplished my goal.  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer holds and how this internship will shape my path after it ends in August!

Check out IWASM by visiting:

www.iwasm.org

Facebook

Twiter

Or come visit!  We are free!  Located in Burke Lakefront Airport in downtown Cleveland.

If you are interested in joining us for Corks in the Concourse, give us a call at (216) 623-1111.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Andrew is a graduate student at Cleveland State University.

Host Site: Cleveland Housing Court.

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth” - Sherlock Holmes

I have had an amazing opportunity this summer to intern with Cleveland Housing Court and Judge Raymond L. Pianka. Cleveland Housing Court is a Cleveland municipal court that handles and resolves issues facing property owners, tenants, and neighbors.

My responsibilities this summer have been to assist in court research involving housing that has been cited by the city and how that housing affects neighbors and the community.  At the end of the 11-week internship, I hope to provide the court with research regarding these properties and the neighborhood based on feedback I have received through a short answer survey.  I also have the responsibility of gathering information and establishing interviews with residents of land contract vendor owned property.

Lastly, I am working on a project to help neighbors of the Stockyard area to help redevelop a vacant piece of land on 44^th and Storer.  This parcel has some historic influence as being one of the first gas stations in Cleveland.  Learning about all aspects of what housing court does allows me to get a good prospective of the impact it makes within our community, under the guidance and leadership of Judge Raymond L. Pianka. I thoroughly enjoy my work here even though at times I find this internship to be overwhelming.

I appreciate the experience and education I am receiving during my time here at Cleveland Housing Court.  Lastly, I am extremely proud to make a difference and have an impact on the community this summer.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Eric is a recent graduate at Cleveland State University.

Host Site: Ohio City Incorporated

I can vividly remember just like it was yesterday when Ciba Jones from the Cleveland Foundation called me and said, ” Jeff of Ohio City wants to offer you the position. Do you accept?”

I jumped up and down in excitement and said, “Oh my God, yes…of course!” I could not believe it. I knew the competition for the Cleveland Foundation summer internship program was intense and to hear that I got it was such a grand accomplishment that I still to this day cannot get over.

Ohio City Incorporated is a community development corporation whose mission is to develop, preserve, and promote a diverse, historic, urban community as a desirable place to live, work, study and play. As an intern at Ohio City Inc., I am responsible for facilitating the Ohio City Dialogue Initiative, which is an effort to improve the relationships between the nonprofits and the residents of the Ohio City neighborhood. Through the process, I have learned a lot about the 90 nonprofits in Ohio City, the good and the bad. However, the most important lesson I learned is the importance of collaborating. My goal at the end of the summer is to increase the number of nonprofits involved in the dialogue in hopes to maximize efficiency through collaboration, and to create an avenue that will provide understanding and acceptance of this sector both internally and externally.

I really enjoy working with the dialogue and overall I must say that I enjoy working for such a beautiful and vibrant neighborhood. Driving into Ohio City for work every day and seeing all the beautiful architecture and new local shops gives me a sense of reassurance that Cleveland is reaching new heights. I would love to see more neighborhoods like Ohio City in the city of Cleveland.

Interning for a community development corporation has greatly expanded my knowledge on what it takes to revitalize a neighborhood. I have come to the consensus that it takes a lot but it is all feasible. At the end of the summer, I can proudly say I made a difference in Cleveland because I worked for a prominent CDC like Ohio City Inc.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences.

Placement: The Gathering Place
School: Cleveland State University, School Counseling Graduate Program

The mission of The Gathering Place is to support, educate and empower individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided free of charge. They have two locations: Beachwood and Westlake. Since I started here, I have been working on marketing and outreach initiatives and have had the opportunity to meet with every staff member to talk with them about their role in the organization and how they have an impact. This internship gives me the “behind the scenes” look into various nonprofit organizations within the Cleveland region.

I am studying to be a school counselor and will be graduating next May. As a future school counselor, it’s important for me to be familiar with organizations that are out in the community that not only provide counseling services, but to also recognize any and all opportunities to form a positive and beneficial relationship between students, families, faculty, staff, and other outside organizations.

One of the programs that I have had the pleasure being a part of is Parachutes, a bi-weekly group for children who need ongoing support related to the illness of a loved adult family member.

My heart was racing when I heard the children coming down the hall to meet in the “big room.” As soon as they walked through the door and flung their little bodies on the comfy purple couch, a sense of joy came over me and I couldn’t hold back the laughter and smile. Suddenly, it hit me. At this moment in time, they are happy little children. If they aren’t scared, then I shouldn’t be either.
I was so impressed with the facilitator’s ability to adapt to the constantly changing needs of each child. The children were split between two groups and each group did a different activity. Before I knew it, itwas snack time which meant that the group was coming to an end. From the moment of actually seeing the children until the moment that I was walking out to my car, I felt so comfortable with the entire process and excited that not only did I experience this one time, but that I am going to be doing similar activities as a career.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences.

Placement: Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
School: Cleveland State University

The mission of Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) is to promote shalom (peace, well-being) and justice (right relationships) through a Christian ministry of service and advocacy with those who are oppressed, forgotten and hurting.  LMM serves clients in the area of advocacy, adult support, community re-entry, housing and shelter, maximum accessible housing, and support to at-risk teens.

My assignment for the summer is to create an emergency disaster plan and emergency succession plan.  This assignment has taught me that regardless of the situation, organization, or program, it is important to have a plan.  While researching different workplace plans, I read a blog series entitled “Hell and High Water,” by Jane O. Hansen of the Atlantic Journal Institution. The story focused on Hurricane Katrina and specifically Charity Hospital and its protocol during hurricane weather conditions.  Many workers to some extent were prepared and knowledgeable of procedures during hurricane weather but many were not prepared for the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina.  As a result many hospital employees were uncertain and several lives were lost because of the deficiency in proper planning.  This blog series informed me that having a plan in place is critical to an organization and everyone must be knowledgeable of that plan.

I have had the pleasure of interviewing directors from each service area, and as I work on this project it has become apparent that there may be a situation in which LMM will need to be fully prepared to handle.

I enjoy building interpersonal relationships, and these relationships have informed me that people desire to have input with issues that affect them directly, and they are more willing to participate in the planning process.  I am ecstatic to be a part of this process.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences.

Placement: Broadway School of Music - Cleveland Neighborhood Arts project
School: Cleveland Institute of Art

As an intern with Cleveland Neighborhood Arts this summer, I am responsible for producing written pieces on the benefits of arts involvement to Cleveland residents. Two of my biggest loves are Cleveland and the arts, so I am very pleased to take on this task.

In order to really see first-hand how the organizations impact their students, Cleveland Neighborhood Arts kindly allowed me to assist Augusto Bordelois in teaching visual arts to children at Foluké Cultural Arts Center’s summer camp. As an artist, I know how important it is for children to get excited about art early on in life. Starting so young, I was able to work diligently to build and improve my skill.

The exposure I had to art as a young child led me to where I am today. Having encouraging teachers is what influenced me continue to pursue art as a career.

I have never taught before, but I know that the teachers that had the greatest impact on me were the ones who were interested in my progress. I recently received a Facebook message from my middle school art teacher whom I had lost contact with, checking in on me to make sure I was still making art. My fourth grade teacher told me she still has drawings of mine saved. I still visit and keep in touch with my high school art teachers, and my professors at the Cleveland Institute of Art have become some of my greatest role models.

What I realized from these relationships is that the influence is reciprocated. Teaching at Foluké has helped me understand the student/teacher relationship from the other side. Augusto told me that the key is to make them have fun. I remember from being a kid that the best classrooms felt like structured play. Seeing young minds get excited about creating something was very rewarding. Exposing young minds to creative thinking is crucial to our community’s future. After only two weeks, the children have had such an impact on me.

I have had the opportunity to sit down and speak with multiple people whose lives have been changed by CNA’s organizations. I have met an 86-year-old piano student who swears she will never be old, a 26-year-old dancer who has transitioned from living out of his car as a child to a professional dancing career, a nine-year-old aspiring surgeon, a 12-year-old future architect, and many other inspiring individuals. Every person I have spoken with has had a unique story to share. Many even thought of their organizations as a second family.

This excitement and involvement not only makes great artists, but helps to create admirable and involved citizens. I am very much looking forward to hearing more stories and encouraging a new generation of creators.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences.

Placement: Enterprise Community Partners

School: Kenyon College

For over thirty years as a forerunner in the Housing First Initiative, Enterprise Community Partners has raised and invested over $11 billion toward building communities all across America, and has built and restored more than 280,000 homes to date (14,000 of which are in Ohio).

Along with providing residents affordable and sustainable housing and mental health, recovery, and employment services, they offer numerous financial and supportive services to an array of clients. With the mission to excel in community development and assist citizens from all walks of life, Enterprise strives to help make life easier-especially during the country’s economic hardships-one step at a time.

June 7, 2011 was my first day at Enterprise. As my father drove me to work, I became a tad nervous about what to expect in terms of my duties for the summer, and also pondered the infamous first-day-on-the-job question: “Will they like me?” I took comfort in looking back at my final interview with Enterprise, remembered just how welcoming and laidback the staff was (including my interviewer who would later serve as my supervisor), and kept in mind that being myself has never failed me.

I was dropped off, got buzzed into the building by the administrative assistant Angelina, and went up to the third floor…only to face an unlit hallway as the elevator doors quietly opened. I chuckled and immediately text-messaged my friend, “Dude, this place is so sketchy!” Little did I know that the entire building was Green Building Certified (LEED), thus had motion sensitive lights, wall systems that maximize daylight, a recycling program, and a state-of-the-art geothermal HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system!

The lights suddenly flickered on as I walked down the corridor, and after opening the door to Enterprise, I was welcomed by my supervisor and Enterprise’s Program Director Beth Graham and met the majority of the staff a second time after being interviewed several months back. I got settled into my work station in Beth’s office and began to learn even more about the organization, which (in no time) led me to arrive at the conclusion that Enterprise truly is an under-acknowledged powerhouse in the national effort to end homelessness.

Put in simplest terms, I am tremendously honored to be working for such a powerful and innovative establishment, and am also humbled to have the immense opportunity of being surrounded by a diverse wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience. It’s a pleasure to share that the remainder of the week turned out to be just as enriching and exciting as the first day and I will gladly take you through this interning adventure with me in weekly blog updates!

Connect with Enterprise via the following:
Website: http://www.enterprisecommunity.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EnterpriseCommunityPartners
Twitter: http://twitter.com/EnterpriseNow
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EnterpriseCommunity