This is a bittersweet moment, marking the end of my journey as a summer fellow. It’s hard to believe that ten weeks have already passed. I vividly remember the first week when all of us fellows were navigating through a sea of confusion (lol), having jumped at the opportunity without fully grasping what was ahead. But looking back, I’m certain none of us regrets that decision. It was a thoughtful one, at least for me; I had to deeply consider whether I wanted to dedicate my summer to this program.

Coming in, I had a different mindset. I thought that after taking my Pediatric nursing class, working with kids would be a breeze. And while it wasn’t necessarily difficult, it required authenticity; something that took me a few weeks to truly embrace. Did I enjoy my time with the kids? Absolutely. Hearing their reflections on kindness melted my heart, and I found joy in their growth.

Throughout this fellowship, I learned so much, not only from the children but also from the incredible staff members who taught me about the in and out of non-profits, shared their individual stories, and helped me discover more about myself. As this experience comes to a close, I want to say a huge thank you to the people influenced me in one way or the other, from Erin Scott who opened our eyes to social justice work from a systems perspective, to Doug Kridler who inspired us to dream big, to Nick Jones and Elizabeth Martinez that provided us with invaluable insights into leadership and navigating life’s complexities, to Toshia Safford, the eloquent President and CEO at the Center for Healthy Families, who discussed advocacy and the importance of fostering effective collaboration. And lastly, to Sonya Thesing who shared her expertise on the intricacies of fundraising. The wisdom these remarkable individuals imparted is something I wouldn’t have gained had I not embarked on this fellowship. I mean, one of my takeaways from all these discussions is if your dream don’t scare you, that means it isn’t big enough.

A special thanks goes to our amazing mentor, Dr. Lomax, who not only guided us to finish strong but also showed us the realities of the world and how to remain true to ourselves. He has an incredible ability to recognize each of our strengths and consistently reassured us of our value throughout the fellowship. Thank you for all you did this summer.

As I conclude this blog, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the entire Columbus Foundation, the Seeds of Caring team, and everyone who supported me throughout this journey. Your impact on my life is immeasurable, and I am deeply grateful.

And on that note, this is my final blog till God knows when.

Thank you for sticking with me until the very end.

Kanyin