I was dreading my last week with Covenant House. I had a great time interning with them and I did not want it to end! As people say, all good things must come to an end. So here are a few of my final thoughts…
Throughout the summer I was given a variety of tasks to work on – financial statements, credit card reports, database reports, researching human trafficking, etc. Completing all the tasks I was given allowed me to better understand how the corporate side of a non-profit operates. My supervisors gave me a task and always started off by explaining the purpose. I was able to understand how my work would assist the organization and how all the different departments played a part in allowing the office and Covenant House to run.
By creating online database reports I learned how to use their current software – Efforts to Outcome. I also put together excel spread sheets – several for a telemarketing project and several for my work with Faith Community (their one year service program). I never felt too comfortable using technology and computers other than Microsoft Word. My confidence in using other programs has increased tremendously! I not only became more comfortable with using Excel, but ETO made me realize I have the skills and ability to figure out other software programs.
My last goal was to learn about a new population and let me tell you I learned a lot about homeless youth. However, I also learned about another new population – human trafficking victims. For Covenant House’s ACT campaign another intern and I created a report on human trafficking. Through this report I learned who is considered a victim of trafficking (legal definitions), services that are offered to them, current government efforts to combat trafficking, and a history of this issue. I have a lot more to learn but it opened my eyes to the issue of human trafficking and all the people the system exploits.
The type of work done by Covenant House staff is the type of work I hope to continue after I graduate. I still need to figure out more specifics, for example what role I would like to have, the population I would like to work with, etc. But I really enjoyed working with a large non-profit and I would like to continue working in the non-profit world professionally. If I have time this coming year I would also like to volunteer at the Covenant House in New Orleans. I’m curious to see what it is like and how it differs from the New York shelter.
While I want to see more of Covenant House I am also curious to see what a career in social work would look like when working for the government and learn more about direct care careers. I would also like to learn more about policies and programs. A lot of the kids at CH have gone through the foster care system and I am also interested to learn more about it.
Throughout my time with Covenant House I found myself paying a lot of attention to the different positions individuals had and connecting that with gender. Covenant House was the first place where I saw first-hand powerful successful women in the workplace. Some of these women were nurses and lawyers (and had other careers) before coming to Covenant House. They currently work with technology, development, legal advocacy and more. It was powerful being able to hear their experiences, work alongside them, and see the results of their efforts. I never really had role models before, but these women gave me motivation that I could be that successful in the workforce one day. When I think of where I hope future Hallie will be, I think now think of them.
My biggest piece of advice is be ready and willing to take on any project or task that is given to you. No matter how small or trivial that task may be find something to take away from it. One task I had was to call donors and invite them to take a tour of Covenant House New York. Talking on the phone terrifies me! I was nervous and scared I would stumble over my words. By the end of making phone calls I had gained confidence and practice. I understand that making those phone calls keeps a connection between Covenant House and its donors which keeps beds in the buildings, food in the dining room, and medical services in the health center. It wasn’t a glamorous task, but it forced me to practice a skill I always avoided.
I learned a lot during my time with Covenant House but there are two things about problem solving that really stand out to me. The first is that when one is working with a vulnerable population you can’t make decisions for the person, nor can you force them to make certain decisions. At Covenant House youth sometimes leave several times before succeeding in the program. The youth may return to drug abuse, to their pimps, or to other influences that could harm their well-being. At the very beginning of the summer I learned that the youth can leave when they want. I found myself thinking, why does no one stop them? It was hard but also important to understand that it’s part of the process.
Something else that is important to not just know but truly understand and accept is that there are many issues in society and they are huge. One person, one organization cannot solve any single social issue or help an entire population of people. Covenant House New York has around 300 beds and Covenant House has shelters in 21 cities. There are so many more children not receiving assistance and sleeping on the streets. I think that can be said about many nonprofit organizations – their services assist a great number of people, but there are still many more people out there in need. When I would think about the population at large and all the kids not receiving Covenant House services I forgot about the 300 kids in New York, the 75 kids in Michigan, and the 112 kids in New Orleans that are served every night. Thinking about the big issue is not bad, but it’s important to focus on the power and resources that you have and putting those to use.