Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

As the second-week winds down, my theme was assumptions. During our fellowship meeting, many fellows mentioned how they expected to do specific assignments but ended up doing completely different things or running a program instead of being support. As Pride is celebrated this week, assumptions are often made about a person’s personal life. Lastly, spending time with the organization’s clients really got personal, and assumptions about their lives burst.

Sitting at the table at Milo-Grogan for the weekly arts and crafts meeting, we started talking about our personal lives and family. Family relations are hard and often hard to talk about. The assumption that everyone is connected and supportive is so far from the truth and if that were a nonprofit like At Home By High would not be needed. Getting them to open up took work. Still, when the trust was established, they were more open to discussing traumatizing events and distant or non-existing relationships with immediate family. Some distant relationships stemmed from family disputes that resulted in the termination of relationships. There was a lot of pain and trauma when talking about certain relationships or memories. The bright side is that they bond over similar life experiences and become each other’s chosen family. They support each other, check on each other, and fuss and fight with each other. The assumption that getting older includes family support, and a leisurely and active life is so far from the truth. Many of the aging population are socially isolated due to mobility issues, limited incomes, and lack of family connections for many different reasons.

As we celebrate pride, Juneteenth and continue on our journeys with our fellowships, we learn that assumptions about people, organizations, or family can hurt your growth and relationships. So be open listen, change, or new opportunities. Your life and relationship often flourish when you are not limiting your experiences and relationships.

This week at CXC I was able to meet more of the people behind the organization, and get a better understanding of the effort and logistics required to organize such a large yearly event. I had a number of usual tasks, such as researching clubs and special interests groups to reach out to, or contacting local events calendars, but it’s certainly more interesting to write about the Zoom meetings I attended where committees discussed the various volunteer, marketing, and hospitality needs to address before CXC in September-October. I was also able to meet many of the other people who make up CXC, including other staff and committee members. 

The three meetings I attended this week were dedicated to matters under the purview of the volunteer committee, the marketing committee, and the hospitality committee. The volunteer committee discussed matters concerning volunteer needs and coordination, as well as volunteer recruitment and retention. The marketing committee discussed opportunities to collaborate with local media and interest groups, various marketing strategies, as well as promotional opportunities to encourage greater interest in CXC. The hospitality committee discussed matters concerning the transportation of guests across the city and the amenities provided to guests and festival attendees. 

I learned a lot observing these meetings and how the people in them would interact in a professional environment, problem solve, and discuss new ideas and solutions. While I’ve focused a lot of my efforts on getting the word out about what CXC is, and why people should attend, there is an extreme amount of effort that goes into organizing and planning a massive, multi-day festival such as this one. There are so many problems or needs that I would have never thought of that these people dedicate their valuable time and talents towards solving and filling. It’s both humbling and reaffirming to be reminded that I am a small part of such a large and ongoing celebration of the arts.

This week was such fun and absolutely flew by! Our theme was Fairy Tales and the projects were incredibly fun and creative. With the help of the teen volunteers and guidance from the artists/teachers, the campers completed diverse projects including fairy doors, good luck charms, and their very own wearable fairy wings!

On Monday, the campers began with the creation of magical fairy doors. They made little doors out of popsicle sticks, and then shaped stones out of polymer clay, which were then glued to the doors. Their individuality showed in the added details, such as moss, paint, or vines. The creating of wearable fairy wings was a more elaborate endeavor, involving sketching out how their wings would look and then creating templates for the wire boning of their wings. Teen volunteers stepped in to shape rubber coated wire to serve as the structure of the wings and cut plastic sheeting in to the desired shapes. The campers then used a great variety of materials to decorate their wings like puffy paint, Sharpies, and beads.

My personal favorite craft this week was done on Wednesday. The campers used polymer clay to create little lucky charms that would be placed on keychains. The item that each of the campers chose to sculpt for their good luck token really illustrated their individual personalities. Some older campers chose to sculpt items that were traditional good luck charms, such as four-leaf clovers, while the younger kids sculpted miniature versions of their favorite things, like food or imaginary creatures like dragons! I was able to participate in this project and made a few little wormlike creatures that were reminiscent of the worm-on-a-string toys that I used to play with as a kid. The campers, in turn, started to make their own little wormlike clay creations, and it was really fun to teach them how to make them and see how their versions turned out.

A tradition of the Young Masters Camp is the Friday art show, when invited family and friends come and look at the entire week’s worth of hard work. During the previous Young Masters session, I did not quite know what to expect, so I felt a bit overwhelmed by the whole process. This time around, I reorganized a few parts of the set-up process to make it a bit easier for myself and the other facilitators. The campers broke up into two groups of twelve and took a bit of time to set up all their work in front of them. I absolutely love seeing all the campers get so excited to show off their work and tell their visitors the inspiration behind their art. 

Now that I’m closing the book on week 3 of the fellowship, I feel that I’m able to contribute to our campers in a more concrete way and I feel more confident in myself in my role.

Every day at the end of WAV’s summer programming, the kids and coaches all rate our day on a scale of one to ten and talk about our highs and lows. Today, as I write this blog post I am coming off of a day that was a ten for me, so I am very excited to write about it.

We had fewer kids attend the program today, so that would be my low, but the group we had was amazing. My first high was the field trip we took to the Main Columbus Library. We did a scavenger hunt, and I got to go around with the younger kids to find books, play with Legos, and look at the different displays. There were a lot of other camps there today and it was very cool seeing such an important space for the community being utilized. 

My second high was when we filmed a mini music video. Our middle schoolers have been working on an original song, and today they got to teach it to the younger students. All of them performed the song along with the choreography they created today, and their performance was full of energy and very impressive. Since I normally only work with the younger students I had not heard their full song yet, and I loved seeing how proud they were of the product they are creating and how much fun they had teaching it. 

I wanted to write about these moments because no matter where I work I know there are going to be highs and lows, but celebrating the highs and recognizing the growth of the kids in WAV’s program reinforces the reasons I wanted to participate in this fellowship to begin with. I have a direct impact working with these students every day, and I am going to miss them when the program ends in June. However, I am also excited to see the other projects I am doing with WAV this summer begin to develop, and I am ready for the new experience that will come with them.

Another week of absorbing new knowledge and being a part of new experiences at Primary One Health. This week I spent more time getting acclimated to the office and learning the ropes. I got to sit in on a lot of meetings regarding marketing, the ribbon cutting from last week, and other upcoming events. I have now been brought up to speed on how to run the social media accounts for PrimaryOne Health. I am excited to get to learn the ins and outs of how to run the social media, and I am ready to get started on this new project. I will be collaborating with the SBHC BH to create new media to promote the SBHC and the services that it will be providing. I think that it is a great skill to develop, and one that is very important for modern day communication. I like that I will have the creative reigns to create something that will encapsulate the importance of spreading the word of the SBHC to the community of Groveport Madison. I was also able to be a part of a policy and procedures developing meeting which was a very cool experience and very centric to what I am studying in my master’s coursework. It was really great getting to collaborate with my supervisor and the Behavioral Health Clinician at Grove Port Madison’s SBHC. I also got to go back to the SBHC to put up new marketing signage and participated in a planning meeting for the Stuff the Backpack event that will be occurring later in the summer. It is so cool to be working with NBC 4 and Urban One radio personnel. Seeing these connections between community partners is so refreshing, and I love getting to be so actively apart of it. I am excited to continue working with Marketing and Communication projects, attend some community outreach events, and continue to learn from all my wonderful colleagues.

Week 3 of my fellowship at Central Community House has been a great start to a new journey, filled with moments of growth and self-discovery. As I write my Columbus Foundation weekly journal, I can’t help but reflect on the expectations I had coming into this experience and how they have been met beyond my imagination. 

When I initially joined this nonprofit organization, I had high hopes and a clear vision of the impact I wanted to make. I expected to contribute to the community, learn from experienced professionals, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of working in the non-profit sector. 

To my advantage, Central Community House has surpassed these expectations in every aspect. From day one, the team welcomed me with open arms, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone’s contributions are valued. The support and guidance I have received has been great, allowing me to step out of my comfort zone. 

One of the most heart ranching aspects of being at Central Community House is witnessing the difference we make in people’s lives. Through our programs and initiatives, we are empowering individuals and families, providing them with opportunities to thrive. It is incredibly fulfilling to see firsthand how our collective efforts are positively impacting the community we serve. 

This week I was able to attend our TAP (Technology Access Program) that is taught to our Seniors. The experience was great to sit before elders who are very wise but admit that they need help navigating technology. I seen some excel in the process and some who became frustrated with the class. Regardless of what stage someone was at, I seen a community running to help the one person who was frustrated and struggling. Here at Central no one gets left behind! 

I was also able to attend my first Transits Arts open mic performance. When I say the room was filled with support and love, I’m not being dramatic. We kicked the night off by doing water dances in support of acknowledging the water crisis our world is facing. Which led to the performances of some amazing and strong Youth. The youth of Transit Arts showcased their talents in the most beautiful ways, such as rapping, singing, poetry, instruments, and dancing. It was the best concert a person could ever ask for. The cheers for each performer were out the roof, you would see the growth of confidence throughout each and every performance.  

Central Community House has not only met those expectations but has also surpassed them in ways I couldn’t have foreseen. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this organization and contribute to its mission. I am eager to continue embracing new challenges and opportunities for growth. I aim to further develop my skills, expand my network, and make an even more significant impact on the lives of those we serve.  

Week 3 has been a growing experience, confirming the alignment between my expectations and the reality of working at Central Community House. The dedication, passion, and impact of this organization and its people have truly exceeded my initial hopes. I look forward to the remaining weeks of my fellowship, embracing the journey ahead and continuing to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Invertebrate, soft bodied, parasitic, hermaphroditic, microscopic . . . you might be wondering where I’m going with this, or how it has anything to do with children or trauma or resilience. I’m describing a platyhelminth, or, as you might have heard of them, a flatworm. Here’s a picture of one. I love flatworms, and I probably know more about them now than the average science teacher or even a worm enthusiast. Well, I don’t know about the worm enthusiasts. In fact, I don’t even know a worm enthusiast. Anyway, you’ll probably need some context to understand why flatworms have become my favorite up-and-coming muse.

As I was searching for a craft for the kids to do the first week of July, I had a lot of things to consider. It had to be easy enough for a 3 year old but also engaging enough for a 12 year old, it had to cultivate a somewhat fascinating discussion, and it had to take up at least a half hour. Tough crowd. But then I stumbled upon something perfect: a sock worm. It met 2 of my 3 criteria— it would be easy and engaging for all ages, and it would take at least a half hour. But it still left me wondering how making a stuffed worm out of a sock could possibly spark an interesting conversation. 

My second love, coming right behind flatworms, is the Internet. After a few minutes of Google searching, I came across an article that discussed the flatworm’s incredible ability to regenerate itself. In summary, humans and flatworms both have regeneration abilities. And, though ours are mostly limited to healing cuts and scrapes, flat worms actually retain pluripotent stem cells throughout adulthood that would allow, for example, a flatworm cut down the middle to completely regenerate the other half of its body, eventually forming two worms. It was almost, shall I say, empo-worm-ing.

Not only was cell regeneration just plain interesting, but I also knew exactly how I could make a discussion out of it. If flatworms could regenerate their cells when they got hurt, we could certainly do the same thing. In fact, we sort of do, physically. When we have an open wound, like a cut, our bodies employ tactics that heal it: blood cells clot to stop the bleeding and form a scab, white blood cells fight infection, and collagen forms the foundation for new tissue to grow. But, this isn’t the most pressing issue that the kids at SVFS face (although I did include it in the presentation, I’m a true physiology fanatic at heart). It’s trauma: abuse, neglect, an incarcerated parent, substance abuse or mental illness in the household, the list could continue on. And, when a child experiences these events, it can cause a myriad of problems, including dysregulated stress hormones, increased risk for anxiety, depression and PTSD, physical neurological damage and adverse brain development, and increased risk of cognitive impairment and a lower IQ. 

I can’t fix it all, even though I wish I could. One thing I can do though, is teach kids how we can “regenerate,” so to speak, or regulate, our emotions when we’re feeling hurt, just like our friend the flatworm. Research shows that practices like conscious breathing, yoga, and meditation help regulate both the autonomic and central nervous systems and sometimes help decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger. When we do the right things, our bodies take care of the rest. And, while the issues the kids face are much too complex to be solved by yoga and deep breathing, they are practices they’ll be able to take into adulthood as a tool for emotional regulation. 

So yeah, flatworms are cool, but our bodies are even cooler. Let me leave you with this quote written in the book The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk: “Beneath the surface of the protective parts of trauma survivors there exists an undamaged essence, a Self that is confident, curious, and calm, a Self that has been sheltered from destruction by the various protectors that have emerged in their efforts to ensure survival. Once those protectors trust that it is safe to separate, the Self will spontaneously emerge, and the parts can be enlisted in the healing process.”

As I clicked my seatbelt into place and switched on the GPS, one of the case managers at Jewish Family Services piped up from behind me.

“You know,” She said. “We may all come from different departments and do different work, but we really are one team.”

The GPS chirped, telling me to turn right and exit the parking lot, as I thought about what she said. She, another case manager, my supervisor, and I were in my car headed off site. A local nonprofit was distributing produce vouchers for seniors and JFS registered over 100 clients to receive them. A team of JFS staff was at that nonprofit trying to collect everything and unexpectedly ran into some logistical issues. We were on our way to be of whatever help was necessary.

I think what she said absolutely rings true. Here we were, the Resource Development Director, two Case Managers, and the Communications and Marketing Intern, putting aside the other work happening that day and driving down the highway to help the senior program managers get fresh food coupons to their clients. After battling traffic and the rain, the endeavor was a success: all vouchers made it back to JFS and into the hands of those that needed them.

The rest of the week continued to be a testimony to that thought. Today I had a meeting with the Business Development Consultant, the Service Navigator, the Communications and Marketing Manager, the Special Projects Manager, the Social Work Intern, and my supervisor to discuss newsletters. Part of my plan involves writing them and I wanted to learn more about the ones people were creating already – did anyone have some tips and tricks? Are there ways to streamline the creation process to optimize effectiveness? Everyone was more than happy to talk with me and share their insights. I appreciated them taking the time to help me along and was reminded again – different departments, one team.

Shortly after that I had another meeting with the Communications and Marketing Manager, the Special Projects Manager, and my supervisor. I presented my research on best practices for social media engagement and shared my recommendations. I went through the social media audit I conducted last week and discussed my thoughts on the findings. Together, we started to discuss goals for each site, metrics for success, and strategies for getting to where we want to be. Everyone absorbed the information and was enthusiastic about going forward. Just like the previous meeting, I was so thankful for everyone taking the time to meet with me and to hear what I had to say. While these managers work together often, they still individual projects to attend to. I couldn’t help but think it again – different departments, one team.

If week one was the 100-meter dash, week two was a 10k trail run. The pace was far more relaxed and steady, but a lot more happened! This week, I felt secure and confident in my role as the summer reading coordinator. My volunteers and I had the process down to a science and we have all learned to work together as a team to make sure the kids get the most out of their time reading. I am beginning to memorize the names of all 61 kids who have attended so far, and a few of them have become good pals of mine! Mohamed is only in it for the prizes, but Reem loves to read Dr. Seuss specifically. Watch out for Massylia, she’ll sneak away with five prizes if you turn your head for one minute! It is so fun seeing them begin to feel comfortable and be themselves around the adults and their peers.

This week, I have started taking on more complex roles within the organization. I have attended two webinars hosted by our donor management software company to learn how to keep our data healthy and clean and develop a plan for building and maintaining recurring donors. I will begin working on a donor welcome series and ways to acquire and maintain a recurring donor community. I am also in charge of organizing a summer literacy camp in partnership with LifeSmart Education. This camp will serve kids K-2 the first week and 3-5 the second week, helping them develop and maintain literacy skills. I am looking forward to taking responsibility for this program and getting the full experience of planning a program, troubleshooting, marketing, and everything else that will be involved! This week, I was also able to apply for a fundraising “grant” of sorts and got to learn a little bit about how to concisely convey the mission, impact, and need of the organization in 300 words or less. I will be working on more grant applications beginning next week and I am looking forward to getting more experience with that kind of research and writing and being able to link organizations to appropriate funding sources in the future.

This week, I also started working on building our 2022 Annual Report. This process is different than my experience with the state, especially since the RIC is a smaller, newer nonprofit. When I interned at the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee, I helped with their biennial report and it was a massive undertaking. We had to condense the findings of hundreds of individual institutional reports, records of inmate grievances, and check everything against Ohio Revised Codes and Ohio Administrative Codes that are relevant to the committee and its purpose. Working on the RIC’s Annual Report is very different but many of the skills I learned at the CIIC definitely transfer. While the RIC is a newer nonprofit, it has grown exponentially in the last few years and has received more recognition. This means that data and financial reporting is becoming increasingly important. While we are trying to acquire more data and build structures for keeping it organized and healthy for 2023 and beyond, we are also sifting through older data to find what we need for the 2022 Annual Report. However, it is still interesting to see how we can convey the community-based nature of the RIC and acknowledge that some of the value created by the organization is not necessarily directly measurable. I am enjoying being a part of this process and learning how both qualitative and quantitative data are crucial for nonprofit reporting.

I look forward to each day and am enjoying getting to know my office mates and all of the neighbors – everyone is so kind and welcoming and it is special to see such a wonderful community grow in Columbus!

To begin my blog post, I’ll resume where I left off last week. Last Saturday I traveled to Athens, Ohio to assist with tabling activities as well as to learn and observe the role Equitas occupies at pride events. The parade was small but very fun, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the large turnout of attendees. I took mostly a backseat in observing how Equitas operates at these events – watching how employees and volunteers doled out critical prevention and educational information to those interested.

I found it interesting observing the other tables and organizations present at this pride. They were all local and small, with a significant portion of them being faith and spirituality based. Contrast this with the pride festival in Columbus and the contrast is immediately apparent. Corporations and larger local businesses filled the streets during the parade and lined the festival grounds with their information booths.

The rest of the week was again mostly helping out where I can in terms of pride preparation. I am beginning to understand the scale at which Equitas operates at the state-wide pride festivities. Packing dozens of pride bags each filled with dozens of Equitas branded goodies put into perspective how helpful an additional set of hands can be in terms of preparation. Organizing lines of communication and ensuring people are able to get the information that they need at first seemed mundane and simple, but I now know that it is work that is never quite finished and is essential in terms of executing goals.

I’ve been getting more comfortable with the idea of working from home, now that I have a better lay of the land and idea of what my responsibilities look like. However, it does present another interesting contrast, this time between the real-world work that Equitas does (particularly at events) and the large amount of work that can be done behind a computer screen out of the office.