When i was sixteen, i became and intern for what is currently known as the Inclusion Center. I immediately fell into a tight- knit group of interns from different schools all along the Wasatch Front. These other interns became my backbone when i was arguing with principals about 'appropriate content,' my soul when i attended Anytown retreats, and my air when i was the only one up at night still working on a project.
As an intern group, 14 youth shared the woes of activism and teenage strife together. We attended plays, planned campaigns, held sleep-overs, and regularly ditched class to volunteer, together. It was not uncommon for us to argue with our staff that they should leave us in the office after everyone had gone home so that we could remain together in conversation. When that failed, we usually retreated to a coffee shop or diner where we could continue our conversations and our journey together.
Six years later, i am in charge of coordinating the internship at the Inclusion Center. Tonight i witnessed my interns behave as family, not just colleagues. It was a simple trip to Baskin Robbins, but they did it on their own, with their own time and love. It struck a chord so deep in my heart that i knew it was time to create a place for the interns to discuss projects, campaigns, retreats, issues, and life.
This blog is for the interns of today-- brought to you by the internship of yesterday.
No comments:
Post a Comment