Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

Hello, hello! My name is Anastasia Martinez, I am a senior at THE Ohio State University (you have to emphasize “the” to be a true buckeye) and am studying Public Affairs (Godspeed John Glenn) with a focus in Education Policy. I am a proud product of the East Side of Toledo, Ohio (#419er/ #MuddTown/ #GlassCity).  I have the honor of blogging about my experiences both with the Columbus Foundation Fellowship and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services.

I should give you an overview of ETSS before I go on and on about how great they are. ETSS is an independent nonprofit agency serving refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants in Central Ohio.They assist immigrant, refugee families, and low income individuals in Central Ohio improve the quality of their lives. They do this through their Adult programs, where they not only teach English and 21st century job skills, but place individuals in a job opportunity and assist them in sustaining the job. The youth program (where I will be focusing) was created to give children a safe, nurturing, educational space while parents are working. This is divided into the after-school program and the summer camps.

The past week has been incredible. I learned I will be working closely with the Youth Coordinator, Brittany Baker, because she is leaving in July to work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia (how cool is that?!). To make the transition smoother when she leaves, I will be slowly taking over responsibilities and tasks as the summer progresses. Right now I’m working on the Youth Summit, which is an end of the summer celebration between all 4 summer camps, with over 300 youth in attendance. This is the last day of the summer camp and is meant to be a fun day filled with speakers, workshops and cultural activities. The theme this year is “Youth Voices Matter: Living Across Cultures” and the main focus is self-identity and pride within yourself and sharing that with others.

The biggest aspect I love about interning at ETSS is everyone is doing a million things. It might sound hectic and overwhelming but I’d much rather be running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off than sitting at my desk doing nothing. Every task you do here is so greatly appreciated because everyone is so busy. This is the first place where I’ve received hugs for getting a bus schedule done on time and I have to say, I love it!

So, that’s all for now. Stay tuned for the next Episode of “Summer Camp 2016: ETSS Edition” and I’ll leave with a photo of last year’s Youth Summit. Look at those smiling faces. 🙂 

As someone who has always loved learning, it just feels right for me to be going to school every day (even in the summer). And although I am a student at The Ohio State University, I don’t mean that I’m spending my summer taking classes. Instead, I’ve started an exciting transition into learning about the Man Behind The Curtain–not the magical Wizard of Oz, but rather the extraordinary school staff members who keep things running smoothly. My name is Eleni Packis, and I am thrilled to be writing this after my first week as one of The Columbus Foundation’s Summer Fellows. This spring, I finished my sophomore year, and I am studying Policy Analysis and Economics.

My placement is at KIPP Columbus, a charter school dedicated to helping low-income students “Prove the Possible” (one of the school’s mantras; it means that with hard work and compassionate effort, KIPP believes that all students can succeed). After just one week, I’m already amazed. Just stepping inside of KIPP’s building fills one with a sense of wonder. The walls are covered with inspirational quotes from a diverse collection of individuals, from Winston Churchill to Maya Angelou.

But the most inspiring part of KIPP to me so far has been observing the caring people who work there. It was their students’ last week of school, which meant lots of different things: wrapping up some state testing, a fun spelling lesson with shaving cream for kindergarteners, and a “Promotion” ceremony for their class of 8th graders. Promotion? The word confused me as I heard it repeated around the office. “Don’t you mean graduation?” I inquired. Nope. Like most things at KIPP, the word choice of “Promotion” is highly deliberate. Instead of calling it a “graduation,” which implies their students are finished with something and can be done with it, KIPP chose the title of “Promotion” because, as they say, you graduate from high school or college with a degree that means something–but 8th grade is just another grade in school.

Once I’d finished helping check in families to the ceremony, I was able to duck in and watch most of it. KIPP Columbus’s Executive Director gave a speech where she detailed the statistics of how many students from backgrounds similar to KIPP Columbus’s students would graduate high school, and then how many of those students would attend and graduate college. The numbers were staggeringly low, but the most amazing part was how enthusiastic KIPP’s 8th grade students were at the prospect of finishing high school AND college. Witnessing the huge support they receive from KIPP–and just how impactful that can be–was my true inspiration this week.

If we muster the courage to think back to our high school days we’ll likely recall the feeling of excitement as our long-awaited summer break approaches. The nerves that accompany finals preparation, the pride of completing another year, and the edge-of-your-seat energy as you look forward to three months of sun and freedom–this was the environment that I stepped into on my first day of work as a Columbus Foundation Fellow placed with Cristo Rey Columbus High School (CRC).

While these feelings transcend most high schools and their student bodies, the end-of-the-year excitement for CRC students is exaggerated tenfold due to their extended school year. However, many would argue that the trade off is worth the few extra weeks. CRC boasts a unique Professional Work Study Program where every student dedicates a day out of each week to work at a local job site for the entire academic year. So, by the time CRC students graduate, not only do they have a Catholic, college-preparatory high school education under their belt, but they have been equipped with four years of professional work experience. This is something that truly sets them apart from their fellow college applicants. And here’s the real kicker–CRC serves the economically disadvantaged population in Columbus, striving to empower young men and women of all faiths to graduate from college when the option may not be afforded to them otherwise. How cool?

This was all information that I knew before I even stepped onto school grounds on my first day. Another thing to note–CRC has inhabited the Ohio School for the Deaf that moved to the North Side in 1953. They recently were nationally recognized for their renovation efforts as they maintained the beautiful historic elements of the building yet have completely restored the interior to best fit their needs as a growing, modern high school institution. I reiterate… HOW COOL.

Now, concerning my role at CRC as a their Fellow for the next ten weeks… CRC opened its doors to their first class at the start of the 2013-2014 school year. These students were put on the trajectory to graduate after the 2016-2017 school year, and that’s where I come in. I have been tasked with developing a two-year advancement strategy for how CRC will manage communications and fundraising related to their first graduation so that they may leverage this milestone to increase revenue and community exposure. Essentially, I have embraced my role as a research fellow (ish) with the opportunity to utilize all sorts of resources and channels of communication to truly formulate the best practices for CRC as they prepare for this celebration of the success of their students.

I cannot begin to articulate how excited I am to delve into my project here at Cristo Rey Columbus. The Columbus Foundation has offered me an opportunity of a lifetime and I am so blessed to have their support as well as the chance to journey alongside my fellow *Fellows* during our summer 2016 experiences. At the start of last week, I didn’t have a clue as to what I could expect, but I can tell you now that my few days at Cristo Rey Columbus have already been challenging, engaging, and absolutely energizing. I can’t wait to share my experience with you!

My name is Anna Hays and I am a recent graduate from the University of Dayton. I received my Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Political Science and earned a Nonprofit Community Leadership graduate certificate as well. The jury’s still out regarding what the rest of my professional life will entail, but hey, I have a plan. And who really has it all figured out anyways?

Week one with LifeCare Alliance left me overwhelmed and consumed, yet enlightened, opportunistic, and in awe all at the same time. From the first day, I was busy learning all that LifeCare Alliance has to offer. From the moment I walked in the door to the second I walked out in the evening, I was talking and getting to know different people within the organization. Understanding all of the programs and services that LifeCare offers I found was impossible in four days, but my supervisors did a wonderful job of allowing me to meet and get to know the directors of each program, such as Meals-on-Wheels, the Columbus Cancer Clinic, Visiting Nurses, Senior Dining Centers, Help-at-Home, and Senior PetCare, to therefore get a taste of all they are doing to assist the elderly and the medically challenged in our community. This past week I feel as if I was able to obtain an outstanding view of the ways in which LifeCare Alliance lives out and strives to reach its mission each and everyday.

A few highlights of my week include touring the kitchen where all the meals are prepared for Meals-on-Wheels (5,000 each day!) and sitting in a on leadership meeting led by one of the board members, assisting with a meal route, helping with the Somali meal coupon distribution, eating at Carrie’s Café, and getting to know many of the staff members who have been able to share their wisdom, knowledge, and passion with me. Throughout the course of the next nine weeks I will mainly be working with the Fan Campaign, the Animeals Program, and at Carrie’s Café to
observe, assess, and address any improvements that could be made within these programs. I will then be able to evaluate, research, and determine possible suggestions and implementations that could be made to make these programs even more successful.

A little background about myself- My name is Kathleen Quinn, and I am going to be a senior at the University of Dayton this fall. I am a Columbus native, and could not resist applying for the wonderful opportunity of living in Columbus this summer, and serving with the Columbus Foundation and LifeCare Alliance. My major is International Studies with a concentration in Global Migration and Economic Development, as well as obtaining a Certificate in Nonprofit and Community Leadership. I am excited to dig deeper into the nonprofit world, and to obtain a first hand look at how one is run and managed. Being paired with LifeCare Alliance is a blessing and truly a once in a lifetime experience because of the ability to gain insight on the wide array of programs LifeCare has to offer. With just four days under my belt at LifeCare Alliance, I already have a glimpse of how the above programs mentioned truly do not only feed mouths but also the soul. Within four days, those at LifeCare have already convinced me to join in on their mission to “nourish the human spirit.”

The first time I visited Southpoint Place, I was a case manager at a family homeless shelter helping my client pick up her keys to move into her new apartment with her children. Southpoint is a permanent supportive housing complex developed for parents and single adults receiving services for mental health and/or substance abuse. My client had worked hard on her application to Southpoint, and it was rewarding to see her transition there. Permanent supportive housing provides services such as on-site counseling, life skills training, and vocational services to help residents who are often facing complex challenges. As the community at Southpoint has developed, service providers have been able to identify different needs to be addressed. My task this summer is to develop and pilot summer programming for middle and high school aged kids living at the complex with their parents. I’ll also be working with the K-6 kids, and thinking through different ways to use the community center for the teens.  I’ll be doing this with the guidance of my excellent host site, Concord Counseling Services, the behavioral health agency that provides the on-site supportive services for Southpoint.

A little more about me: My name is Emily Hanlon, and I am a graduate student at the Ohio State College of Social Work, where I’m focusing on family therapy. Before graduate school I worked in the family homeless system in Columbus, and then for a couple years doing mediation and conflict resolution in Franklin County’s eviction court. My time in these positions influenced my inclination to see things from a family systems perspective. I think any program or intervention for youth has to take into consideration the influence and strengths of their family.

This week I have been getting to know the staff at Concord Counseling, as well as the staff and families down at Southpoint. I’m very excited to see where the summer takes me, and to follow journeys of the rest of my cohort!

Hello for the first time! My name is Kerigan McNamara and I am so fortunate to be the fellow at The Center for Balanced Living! This is the only free-standing nonprofit organization in Ohio that provides specialized eating disorder services (education, treatment and research). The Center is truly one-of-a-kind in its innovative nutrition philosophy, international recognition and involvement of the family in the recovery process. I think you can tell that I am so excited to be at this site for the next nine weeks!

I am from Toledo, Ohio and will be a senior at Otterbein University in the upcoming academic year. Otterbein has provided me with so many opportunities to pursue the nonprofit sector in my majors of Public Relations and Health Communication. After taking a Nonprofit Management course and having nonprofit experience through internships, student organizations and volunteering, I am confident that this is the field where I want my career to begin and grow.

At The Center, I will be doing two things: assisting in the reconstruction of the social media/blog strategy and creating a marketing plan for an app that The Center is in the works of creating. The app is projected to be completed in December so unfortunately, I will not be here for the big reveal. However, after meeting with the Director of Food and Nutrition, this is a truly necessary tool for both clients and their dieticians to track progression in a variety of categories. The potential that this app has for growth is incredible so I hope to lay a strong foundation in its marketing efforts.

I couldn’t have asked for more welcoming and passionate people to be surrounded with at The Center! They all make me feel like I have been a part of their team for years and I am inspired by their drive to help the clients. It will be a challenging summer but as Dr. Laura Hill told me, I hope I can help The Center take off and fly!

Hello everyone! My name is Katie Grammenidis and I am one of the summer fellows for the Columbus Foundation. For the next nine weeks (I can’t believe the first week is already almost finished) I will be working at the Ohio History Connection for their History to Go program. History to Go facilitates educational programs on-site and helps to provide a more complete educational experience. Why is this program significant? Well, I’m sure one could give many different reasons for why this fellowship is significant. However, for me, this fellowship makes an important contribution to society by impacting students. I will be facilitating History to Go programs to those students who normally would not have the chance to receive this educational experience. It’s so important for students, from all socioeconomic backgrounds, to receive a complete education and to be inspired by the learning process. I was fortunate enough to receive a good education, have access to museums, and differentiated learning opportunities. This fellowship allows more students to receive the same.

I guess this would be a good time to say a bit more about myself. I have just graduated from The Ohio State University and in the fall I will be attending law school. When I was in undergrad, I majored in both political science and history. I am one of those people who genuinely loves learning; I actually find school fun (okay, maybe, not the tests part). Even though I will be attending law school, I plan on continuing to pursue these academic interests. I hope that the passion I feel towards history and learning can be shared with others. How will I be sharing it with others? Through five different programs: Inventions and Innovators, Pioneer Life Experience, American Indian Experience, Ohio River Valley Tribes: Removal to Today, and Founding Documents.

This week, my first week, I spent a significant portion of my time learning about these programs and how to facilitate them. I also spent time at the Columbus Foundation, where I became acquainted with my fellow fellows. When I started this fellowship on the first day I was slightly unsure of exactly what I would be doing, but it seemed like all the fellows were in the same place. Now, though, I at least have learned the basics.

I can’t wait to see what the upcoming weeks will unveil and the personal and professional growth I will experience!

Hello! My name is Demi Levitch and I am the newest intern with Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations (OANO), where I will spend the summer working to develop and implement the latest Standards for Excellence program for Ohio’s nonprofit organizations. As a senior at The Ohio State University studying Public Affairs and Nonprofit Management, I was thrilled to hear of my acceptance to the Columbus Foundation Fellowship program, confident that my experience would provide me with immense growth as I furthered my goal of becoming a powerful and inspiring leader within Ohio’s nonprofit sector.

Although I’m only a few days into my time with OANO, I feel immensely proud of each report, blog, and proposal I write. Of course, my work is nowhere near perfect, but it is each imperfection that provides the opportunity for growth within the learning process. As I’ve collaborated with staff and board members, I’ve already begun to understand what is needed to work in a vibrant and passion-filled organization such as OANO and I leave the office smiling each day not only because of what I’ve accomplished, but also because I already feel as if I’m contributing to a world of difference, a world abundant with ethical and accountable nonprofits.

The need for OANO and other like-minded organizations is real. In a society saturated with a variety of nonprofits in every shape, size, and color, it is incredibly crucial that nonprofit organizations maintain broad public support to differentiate themselves within a competitive market. Public confidence in a nonprofit’s work influences every aspect of its success, from its ability to acquire volunteers, solicit charitable contributions, and more generally, accomplish its mission. As such, I feel incredibly lucky to serve an organization committed to raising the level of ethical and accountable practices in nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit for nonprofits— it doesn’t get much better than that!

I’m looking forward to another amazing summer and can’t wait to share what I learn next!

The crowdfunding campaign I helped laid the foundation for came to a close with a substantial amount raised for diabetes supplies. This campaign gave us an idea to start a peer to peer campaign for a Board member. I used the foundation of the campaign I did previously to create and implement a peer to peer campaign. From April 27th through April 29th, Pastor Jim is riding from Cincinnati to Cleveland to raise money for inhalers for the Charitable Pharmacy. This campaign did very well! I was very excited to see it succeed! Pastor Jim raised over 4,000 dollars for the Charitable Pharmacy. I was most excited to leave the Charitable Pharmacy with a lasting foundation to implement in future campaigns.

My last days at the Charitable Pharmacy were a couple weeks ago; however, I will never forget my time there. I learned so much and got to know so many wonderful people. Having the opportunity to share the stories of the patients as well as have casual conversations with them was an absolute honor. I worked closely with the pharmacists and had the opportunity to share their stories too. Understanding why they serve the Charitable Pharmacy and being able to share that with our donors was a wonderful experience. I had the opportunity to see all of the work that goes into development from a grassroots stand point and be engrossed in events that catered towards donors, patients, and church members. I was and still am very thankful to be a part of all of those communities.

My time at the Charitable Pharmacy is over, but something new and exciting awaits me! I have had the wonderful opportunity to be offered a position as the Stewardship Coordinator at the Mount Carmel Foundation. Everything I have learned at the Charitable Pharmacy will help me continue to grow and succeed in the field of development and fundraising and I am truly thankful for that.