My experience with the Annie Ruth Foundation Summer Internship Program was both enriching and informative, as I aspire to be a community developer. During my internship, I had the opportunity to work at two distinct sites: Revitalize Arlington and Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation. Revitalize Arlington is a social services-based organization dedicated to serving the Arlington community, while the Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation focuses on revitalizing the Northern Urban Core area by creating quality affordable housing, leading economic development initiatives, and developing human resource programs. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at each site, gaining valuable insights and experiences that have further fueled my interest in community development.
Throughout my internship, I was engaged in a variety of projects and tasks that broadened my skill set and understanding of community work. I managed social media pages, followed up with community members about their inquiries, created various digital media pieces, and wrote a mock grant. Additionally, I reviewed project scopes, developed action plans, and organized project folders, which helped me grasp the complexities of project/program management. A highlight of my internship was completing a learning tour of various Jacksonville non-profits, where I spoke with their leaders about their missions and community impact. This tour provided me with a wealth of knowledge about the community development initiatives occurring around the city and allowed me to develop connections with key leaders in the field. Through these experiences, I honed my skills in grant narrative writing, project management, social/digital media creation, and networking.
Overall, the Annie Ruth Foundation Summer Internship Program was invaluable in providing me with practical experience and a network of professionals who can support my future career in community development. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and the support I received from the Foundation. This experience has not only solidified my commitment to community development but also equipped me with the tools and connections necessary to make a meaningful impact in the future.