Backyard Reflections
On several evenings this past summer, I found myself surrounded by other 乐播传媒ies in the backyard of the Harward Center on Wood Street. We would load our plates with food from a local restaurant, gather around picnic tables, and share our summer work experiences with each other. After setting out the meal, Harward Center staff would jumpstart the conversation with a reflection activity such as Rose, Thorn, Bud: Rose 鈥� 鈥淲hat鈥檚 something positive or beautiful that happened at your work site recently?鈥� Thorn 鈥� 鈥淲hat鈥檚 been frustrating or challenging?鈥� Bud 鈥� 鈥淲hat are you looking forward to?鈥�
We were each spending the summer working with diverse off-campus organizations in the Lewiston area, from the Sun Journal newspaper 鈥� where I worked 鈥� to St. Mary鈥檚 Nutrition Center. Most of us received funding through the college鈥檚 Purposeful Work internship program, with a few of us working with the Harward Center to find other sources of support. The backyard suppers were a great way to meet new 乐播传媒 friends, enjoy the local cuisine, and reflect on our work experiences. In addition to Harward Center staff, Beverly Vari of the Center for Purposeful Work usually joined the fun. I asked for her take on the summer opportunities in Lewiston/Auburn.
鈥溊植ゴ� students are very community-minded and social justice-oriented,鈥� Vari noted. Their work this summer within the L-A area was very intentional and eye-opening for them. From farming with nonprofits dedicated to our local food justice systems, to participating in community initiatives that support our youth and education system, to working on government initiatives, their participation runs the gamut of community-engaged experiential learning.鈥� The Center for Purposeful Work鈥檚 model is 鈥渆xploration, reflection, and test.鈥� As Vari said, 鈥渢hese summer internships offered the opportunity for interns to intentionally experience all three as they pursue meaningful and purposeful work.鈥�
In addition to Vari, I spoke with three summer interns who had the opportunity to collaborate with local organizations, actively supporting the wider L/A community.
Quinn Kieselowsky 鈥�23 worked at St. Mary鈥檚 Nutrition Center in Lewiston, near Kennedy Park. Among all of his roles at the Nutrition Center, the part he loved most about his job was the people.
鈥淏eing at a nutrition center that serves the community, I felt beforehand that most people would be patient, flexible, and enthusiastic, and over the course of my time working this summer, everyone has passed my expectations,鈥� Kieselowsky said. 鈥淏eing in the L/A community was exactly what I was looking for during summer planning through the 乐播传媒 Purposeful Work Center.鈥�
His summer work allowed him to show some of the gratitude that he has had for the past two years living in Lewiston. He also liked how his work allowed him to interact with an 鈥渋ncredibly passionate staff.鈥�
The work helped him think about what he may want to do in the future, too.
鈥淏eing an athlete and a major nutrition enthusiast, I have become more and more interested in food systems around the United States,鈥� Kieselowsky said. 鈥淚’m looking into food deserts, and specifically into areas where local food is nearly nonexistent. Whatever happens, I want to make sure every child, every parent, and every individual each has access to an abundance of food.鈥�
鈥淏eing at the Nutrition Center has capitalized these interests of mine and I’m looking forward to continuing this area of work as long as I can,鈥� he said.
Meanwhile, Jane Holmes 鈥�22 interned at the Safe Voices domestic violence shelter in Androscoggin County. The shelter is a 17-bed facility that shelters female-identifying survivors and their children.
Her jobs included childcare, advocacy for residents and helpline callers, restocking supplies, organizing donations, crafting welcoming packets, attending caseworker meetings, formatting documents, and a number of other varied tasks.
鈥淭hrough this work, I have gained invaluable skills and expanded my understanding of the complexities of gender-based violence, power and control, and the impact of intersecting identities,鈥� Holmes said. 鈥淚 have loved this work, especially the kindness of my coworkers and all that they have taught me as well as the interpersonal connections I have formed with many of the residents through hearing their stories and learning how to support them through shockingly awful crises.鈥�
Through working at the shelter, her passion for social justice and human rights law has only grown. She has worked hard and learned how to think on her feet.
鈥淢y plan moving forward in my life has shifted as I have discovered a strong passion for domestic violence work that will certainly shape my career plan after college,鈥� Holmes said.
Cameron Brown 鈥�22 worked for Healthy Homeworks, a Lewiston-centered nonprofit run by Amy Smith, a local landlord and community leader. The goal is to create a healthier, safer, and more affordable Lewiston.
鈥淢y favorite part of my job this summer was being a real community member in the area,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淎s much as we [generally] don’t like to think about it, 乐播传媒 can be a very insulated bubble… I think every 乐播传媒 student could benefit by doing work in town, whether that’s nonprofit, government, or private business.鈥�
His work has given him a 鈥渃ompletely new鈥� understanding of Lewiston鈥檚 lived environment, how communities and neighbors interact and work together, and how city policy is experienced by the residents who live there.
鈥淟istening to how institutions, the job market, the police have made their lives the way they are has gotten me thinking that more damage is being done by the way we run our cities rather than the way people in our city behave,鈥� Brown said.
His internship helped him see that he wants to be part of the mission that Healthy Homeworks started: creating a safer, healthier, and more affordable place to live. He hopes to stay in Maine, perhaps in Lewiston or Waterville.
All three students learned new skills from their internships and jobs. Vari is 鈥渧ery proud鈥� of all the students who worked in the L/A community this summer. 鈥淲e want to continually encourage opportunities to network, collaborate, and truly embrace all that L/A has to offer,鈥� she said.
– Sacha Feldberg ’24