Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

I’ve said it a million times, but I truly cannot believe that this is going to be my final blog post. I don’t want to steal my presentations thunder, so I am just going to talk briefly about my last full day here. People have been very kind in approaching me and thanking me for the work I did in such a short time.  There are two other employees celebrating their final full day with Big Brothers Big Sisters today as well, so we went out to a big group lunch. Once everyone arrived and was seated, my supervisor took it upon herself to stand and say a few words about what my time here meant to her. While it can be awkward hearing people say positive things about you in a group setting, I felt truly valued by this organization and her specifically. I know this summer was productive in helping shape my ideas and aspirations for the future, and I have my supervisor to thank for that. She also presented me with a small gift bag full of BBBS products (and a bottle of wine). This is her busiest time of year, so it truly shows how big her heart is that she went out of her way to put this gift together for me.

Overall, I could not have had a better experience this summer, and I can’t imagine spending the past 10 weeks anywhere else. I am looking forward to hearing back about my future with BBBS and progressing in this field.

As my final hours come up at the MAC, I find myself reflecting not only on my time here but on the past century as well. My project this week was to compile the history of our building via old images, newspaper articles, and a big stack of old files that I scanned into our computer system. With the McConnell Arts Center’s 10 Year Anniversary coming up, my supervisor thought it would be a great idea to shine a spotlight on the story of how our building came to be. 

As a tried and true nerd, I found this project to be extremely interesting. I was able to use the skills I picked up in my music history class to do some research both online and in the Worthington Library. I have a lot of fun sorting through old documents and connecting the dots to build a more complete timeline.  

My favorite tidbit that I learned through this process was the story of a “kidnapping” back in 2006. While fundraising for construction costs to renovate the building, the Worthington Arts Council sold “Art People,” four–foot plywood figures that community members could “adopt” and decorate for display. Apparently, several of these “Art People” were all gathered on the Village Green and one was stolen! There was an unofficial APB put out in the local newspaper to ask the kidnappers to bring the Art People back so that the community could continue to enjoy it. The name of the sky-themed Art People? “Art Takes Flight.”  

Between this project, the bench reupholstery, and the kids I got to work with this summer, I feel confident that I’ve left a positive mark on this organization. My time at the MAC has been fulfilling (and a heck of a lot of fun, too!). The people here have inspired me and taught me so much about arts advocacy and administration. After the chaos and business of this summer, I feel truly prepared for whatever this upcoming school year and my future have in store.

Big thanks to the rest of the staff, who surprised me with a signed card and a box of cookies this afternoon for my last day, and an equally big thanks to the Columbus Foundation, for sponsoring this opportunity.  

As many of my colleagues and friends in the cohort have expressed, I can’t believe it has already been ten weeks. I have learned so much, including how to use a CRM, how to write a grant, and how to cultivate a relationship with a constituent, from introduction to stewardship. I have met so many amazing people, from my colleagues at RMHC, to our volunteers, to our families, to our guest speakers at The Columbus Foundation, to the other fellows in the cohort. And yet, of course, there’s still so much to do!

I’m continuing to help plan a garden for the House. Having met with leadership in each department to define the garden’s purpose, activities, and hazards, I am now moving into designing the garden itself. OSU Franklin Extension has graciously provided me with soil testing kits, and I am creating a blueprint of the vegetable beds, and will then draft a materials budget, activities sheet, and timeline. This work feels like a direct,
holistic utilization of skills I learned at OSU’s business college, and I’m excited to see those skills transfer into a project and cause that I am passionate about.

Additionally, I still want to see the House begin to compost. We’re on hold until Innovative Organics creates a quote and plans a time to audit the House’s food waste production, but I hope the House continues to move forward in adopting a composting program

Earlier today, I received an email stating that one of the small grant applications I wrote during my first week of the fellowship had been accepted, it’s funny how things come full circle. I think of how when I started, if someone asked me “we just got this grant, could you make a stewardship plan?”, I wouldn’t know where to start. Now, the challenge is to make sure I leave clear instructions for someone to implement next week.

It really feels like just yesterday I was standing in my kitchen when I got the email telling me I earned a spot in this Fellowship program. Yet here I find myself, writing my last post on my last full day of work. The personal and professional growth that has happened in these last 10 weeks will stay with me for a lifetime, and I feel so blessed that I got to be part of this amazing program

I had my last outreach visit today, and the kids seemed cuter and more eager than ever, which makes it that much harder to say goodbye to doing this almost every day! I wish I could always hear about how many teeth the kids have lost, them bragging about brushing their teeth twice a day, or randomly telling me that their older brother’s name is Kevin (I really love the random outbursts!). The kids I got to work with this summer have made my heart feel so full and made my days just a little more bright. I absolutely plan on coming back as a volunteer in the Fall, because I really cannot imagine going too long without playing with a giant toothbrush!

The staff at KidSMILES have really went above and beyond to make sure I got as much out of this experience as much as I could; I got to see a little bit of almost everything, and I cannot wait to apply what I have learned to my future career. As sad as it is to say goodbye, I know I am one step closer to reaching my career goals because of this program. I am looking forward to hearing about everyone’s experiences and talking about my own tomorrow! To my very small amount of readers, thanks for following me these past 10 weeks.

As my 10 weeks at this organization are coming to a close, I feel very thankful I was able to spend my summer here. On my last day today, the development team I was a part of all ate lunch together outside on a picnic table. We talked and laughed while we ate, and I know I am really going to miss all of the amazing people I have met through this fellowship.

This week has mostly been about out-processing and reporting on my projects internally to my team and organization. I also had to move out of my apartment this week, moved all of my belongings into my friends house temporarily, and move again this Sunday, yay!

I have been preparing for the final presentation at The Columbus Foundation tomorrow, and I can’t wait to hear about everyone else’s experiences as well. Some of my favorite thing I got to do this summer are feeding baby birds in the Wildlife Hospital, meet an albino baby bunny, be on the set of Good Day Columbus and photograph releases of wild animals back to their homes.

Even though today is the last day in the office, I know I will continue to build the friendships I have made this summer. This fellowship has affirmed my dream of working in the nonprofit sector advocating for and helping animals in need. This fellowship is definitely going to help me get there soon. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you to The Columbus Foundation and Ohio Wildlife Center.

As one of my peers wrote in their blog, I am left wondering where the time has gone this summer. It seems like the summer began and ended before I could truly process my project in its entirety. Have you ever reached the end of a project and wondered if what you did will ever matter? That’s where I am. It’s not because I think my project didn’t matter – I think that creating a course of action for collecting and using stories in nonprofit work is extremely valuable. I think that it’s the fact that I’m leaving with so much work left to be done.

I think this feeling, though, can be described in many ways. For me, it’s the ever so frustrating sense that a social issue you’re working with may never be resolved. In my case, and I would argue almost all nonprofit cases, this issue is poverty. While it’s frustrating to personally grapple with the fact that I may only make a small dent in the path towards resolving poverty over the course of my entire lifetime, this opportunity still allowed me to remain hopeful. Though my project was tiny in the grand scheme of things, it’s important to remember that small wins are still wins. I loved every second of spending time with children at camp, no matter how challenging it could be. The smallest positive change in a child could be what causes a ripple effect to change their entire life for the better. What I’ve learned throughout this summer is that nonprofit work can sometimes be about just fighting for those changes. The work I did this summer may not solve poverty for everyone, but it may help at least one person achieve a better life in some way. It is important for those looking to work in this setting to not devalue small scale changes.

My project could help make some of those small changes, and I’m leaving with that knowledge. I’m also leaving with a deeper respect with those who dedicate their lives to nonprofit work. I think nonprofits aren’t given the credit they deserve for their resourcefulness, grit, and unmatched passion. I’ve been challenged to think more about what makes a leader and have come to believe that our society sometimes overlooks the greatest leaders of all – those that exist in the nonprofit sector.

I already miss all the campers so much, and life is far less fun without them. I also thought I would stop taking naps after work because being in an office shouldn’t be as tiring as working with kids. I can confirm that I am still napping; the real world is hard, y’all.

Thank you to SON Ministries for trusting in me and thank you to The Columbus Foundation for the opportunity to immerse myself in nonprofit work.

Where has the time gone? When I use to say this in the beginning it was with that familiar feeling of just filling in space with words that could be relatable. Time never stops is something we all can agree on. Now when I think about this question it is filled with the absence of children that brought so much to every day. The days are now missing their tiny arms hugging me in an embrace, their witty sometimes catty responses, and their demand to make every activity ‘fun’. I miss them. For a while the first day back it felt like something was wrong. I have not spoken nearly as much as I did before and my eyes are not scanning the room looking for the kids. When I was bombarded with this powerfully expressive presence that demanded my attention, although stressful, I was having fun. Now I am reminded of the beginning of my fellowship that consisted of research for future programs, sitting at a desk, and typing on my computer. My schedule is back to the typical 9 to 5 every weekday whilst during summer camp I left at 4 and was off Fridays. The lackluster effect after camp is starting to rear its ugly head. 

However, I love my office mates. At Lower Lights we share an office space with the church’s pastors and other co-workers that maintain other programs. Our office space is a container of jokes, happiness, and sarcasm that brings a smile to my face. In the beginning, I would walk up the stairs to the office space, but not anymore. I never noticed how I was running up the stairs to the offices until someone pointed it out. Running up every morning with a smile saying “GOOD MORNING”! I am sad that the kids are gone, but I am still happy with the people I get to work alongside. Their hearts are on their sleeves and their smiles are engraved in my heart.

This journey although coming to an end is transforming into friendships that will last well past my fellowship and I am forever thankful.

See you next time!

Ladan

As we are getting close to the end of the summer, the projects I am working on are shifting. Instead of working on long, more in-depth projects, I am now taking on small ones that correlate to different aspects of Best Buddies.

This shift has allowed me to see different sides of Best Buddies-as I am able to get an inside look into their grant process, evaluation tools and some of their different evaluation methods. These new perspectives have allowed me to learn so much more about the inner process of Best Buddies and how it relates to different parts of the community. Especially through working on their grant processes, I am able to see fuller picture of their funding process and how their various programs are supported.

From this I also get a deeper look at why and how decisions are made-which has also allowed me to see the differences in decision-making and leadership strategies of my two supervisors. It is so interesting how individuals with different leadership styles can come together to make such a successful work team. Is demonstrated the importance of effective communication and a commitment to respecting each individual role.

All in all, the shifting in responsibility that I have been giving has allowed me to reflect on what I have accomplished at Best Buddies within the last two months and what I would like to accomplish within my last week.

Today was the last day of the CND Summer Day Camp and I don’t know how to feel about it right now. On one hand, I am exhausted from working with the kids every day, constantly on my toes and running around to keep up. On the other hand, I am sad to see them go and don’t want the summer to end (but who does?).

We spent our last day at Zoombezi Bay as a whole camp. It was my first time going since it was called Wyandote Lake (call me old, its okay) and it was a blast! I helped with a group of 8-10 year-olds today and we got to do almost everything there was to do. The children were excited that I was gonna get in and have fun with them. We got to do the lazy river, wave pool, Baboon Lagoon, and we even had time to go down one slide (the lines were endless).

Some other teachers were not as excited as I was to be playing in the water with the kids. Some were complaining of the water being too cold or the sun being too hot, but I was there to make sure those kids were able to have the time of their lives before the summer ends. Some of the children who come to our camp would never have the opportunity to go to a water park like this if it weren’t for CND and their funders. It absolutely warms my heart that CND is able to treat these kids to something extra special because they all deserve to have fun.

By the end of the day, I was walking out of the zoo with about 4 kids clinging to my arms because they didn’t want to leave me. Just about all of them asked me if I would be here next year, which makes me happy. Even if I am not working at CND full-time next spring, I will at least still apply to help with their Summer Day Camp. Until then, I still have one week of work left before my contract is up. Hopefully after that, I will start working on recruiting kids for our after-school programs and getting to know people we work with at schools around Columbus. I am walking away with such a warm, good feeling about my work here at camp, which has me extra excited for what’s in store helping kids in the near future.

I can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye to my summer as a Fellow for the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. What an absolute blast it’s been working with the incredible staff here, and I’m so grateful for all the things I’ve learned and done in just nine short weeks! I’ll go into further thank-yous and reflections later on, but first I want share about all the fun we had this week!

Saturday and Sunday were busy days manning the front desk, and Monday we hosted our first conservation program of the summer involving trash pick-up down by the Scioto River and chopping out teasel, an invasive species in our grasslands. It was quite hot on Monday, and I was worried the kids were going to be bored and tired, but I was really impressed with the energy they brought and the teamwork they showed–in just one hour, eighteen kids picked up over six hundred pieces of trash and chopped down over a thousand heads of teasel! So that experience left me with a hopeful feeling because the kids were able to work together and make a difference! I also ran a few errands to get ready for Wednesday’s fundraiser and got to stop by a snow cone stand, which was perfect for such a hot day!

Tuesday featured a program on habitat exploration, which is one of my favorite programs because it involves sit spots! I always enjoy reflecting in nature with the kids. We also had a staff meeting Tuesday afternoon to talk about the GIAC’s participation in hosting a Big Table, so that was exciting to share what I had learned from the Columbus Foundation. Then, after the meeting, the staff treated me to Jeni’s and gave me the sweetest card! It was great to enjoy some Brambleberry Crisp and Gooey Butter Cake (the BEST flavors) while chatting with everyone about non-work things.

We had another bird study program on Wednesday, and I have always loved playing the Migration Game with the kids, but today I also got to help teach the program to prepare me for leading the whole program on Friday. I felt surprisingly comfortable teaching and engaging with the kids, and they always impress me with what they already know about birds and conservation. The fundraiser at Kingmakers was a blast–we played some fun board games and ate some yummy snacks, and we had a great turnout! I also got to help out with the raffle tickets, but this is also where I had to say goodbye to a few staff members who wouldn’t be there on Friday.

I had my day off on Thursday to move out of my apartment and show my cousin around, and I took her here to the GIAC because our swallowtail butterfly finally hatched, and we wanted to watch her fly off into the world! (: Even on my days off, I just can’t seem to stay away! And today, I led the whole bird program with an absolutely FANTASTIC group of kids. They were so smart and so kind to each other, and it was a great way to end my last day here. I’m really going to miss sharing and learning with kids to get them excited about nature.

I’ve still got to submit my time, finish my presentation, pack up my desk, and close up the building before it’s goodbye, but it’s not goodbye for good! I’ll be staying on working manager and facility attendant shifts a couple times a month, and I’ll try to help with programs and education, too if I can! So while the next few weeks will be busy with moving back into my dorm room, RA training, and the start of a new semester, I’m excited that I’ll still get to work with the staff here and get to be a part of the GIAC!

So as I wrap my rambling up, I’d like to thank the staff here at the GIAC–Dawn Hammer Tabata (our Executive Director), Michael Goldman (our Conservation Manager), Kristina Rawson (our Operations Manager), Chrissie Wilson (our Educator), Allison Clark (our Education Manager and my supervisor), and Stephanie Weykamp (our Outreach Educator and my deskmate). I can’t thank you all enough for the warmth, kindness, and encouragement you have shown me from my very first day. Thank you for valuing me, being patient and understanding with me, and sharing your knowledge and insights with me, and I will miss working with such a dedicated and wonderful group of people. I’d also like to thank the volunteers and the other folks at and affiliated with the GIAC who keep us going every day and have been really fun to get to know and learn from. Also, thank you to the other Fellows for sharing your experiences and being a fun and inspiring group of people I’ve gotten to know this summer! And of course, a BIG thank-you to everyone at the Columbus Foundation who selected me for this opportunity and have brought us Fellows together during outings and learning sessions–I have learned and grown so much this summer, thanks to you and the connections I’ve gotten the chance to make.

And finally, thanks to everyone who has supported and cheered me on this summer–my family, my friends who helped me move in and out, my roommates, ice cream, and anyone who’s kept up with my summer here on this blog! I hope you all have a fantastic rest of your summers and a wonderful weekend! (:

With love and gratitude,

McKenzie (: