First Hand Blog – 6/22/16

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I am sad to say that this is the last blog I will be writing for HAND. I wanted to take this time to tell you a bit about my overall experience.

 

Working as an intern for HAND has given me a wealth of opportunities and experiences that I am so thankful for. Through HAND I was able to explore a lot of my interests; from writing these blogs, to taking photographs, to creating film and social media content, I was able to expand my skills in all different kinds of fields. I learned how to be a better employee and how to form great relationships with the people I work for. I feel very lucky to have gotten to work with such amazing, passionate people who really went out of their way to teach me about what they do and make me feel apart of it. Through helping with fundraisers, attending conferences, and being involved in staff meetings, I have really gotten an inside look at how a nonprofit and HAND specifically works. I have leaned so much from the people I work with and, again, I am so thankful.

 

I am also grateful for the chance to meet Hamilton County residents and learn more about the community I have grown up in. Before coming to HAND, I did not know about the issues our neighbors face or, on the other hand, the everyday positive occurrences. There are so many people here who need that extra help. I was not aware of that need or how to help them. HAND has taught me so much about how to aid those people and combat the issues they face. I have been given a deeper appreciation for how our cities work. Meeting residents has been a blessing in itself. Hearing people’s stories was really eye opening. There are people right next store who are trying to overcome many obstacles due to various financial disabilities, but HAND is doing a great job in helping them through that journey. Also, the positive stories are just as eye opening. All of the neighborhood projects and clean ups, stories of residents working together to help one another and their community were moving to me. I hope that going forward, I will get the chance to meet more of my neighbors and community members, to hear their stories and expand my viewpoint of the world around me.

 

Lastly, I would just like to say one final thank you for all the support and love given to me through this internship. I hope that HAND will continue to expand and do the wonderful things they do. I hope that more and more residents will get involved to combat the issues Hamilton County is facing. I also hope that more and more neighbors will reach out to one another. Getting to know the people in your community is such a powerful tool in the world we live today. Not only does it help organize people to advocate for community issues, but it also gives people another friend, another kind face to help out when you’re in need of flour or sugar. Thank you to those of you who reader these blogs; your support is greatly appreciated as well. Finally, thank you again to the wonderful employees at HAND, for your time, teachings, and support. Thank you.