Collective Efforts-It Can be Done.

As our internship comes to an end we decided to organize an massive voter celebration efforts to hopefully attract people to the polls. We had radio stations announcing the event; it was on facebook, in the newspapers. We had food, entertainment and lots of people power to staff the event. The only problem was the 118 degree weather that day. The celebrations were poorly attended and we’re not sure how many people came out to vote that day because of the even but we learned later on after the November elections that the Latino vote increased 500 percent, which efforts of other organizations such as LUCHA, Promise AZ and Team Awesome, si se pudo. In the end we had a lot of dedicated people come together and work towards positive changes for our community.

I'm now in a position where I can work and learn from policy makers as to how are community is impacted and what we can do for justice and equal representation.

Planning Next Steps

Planning next steps from an intense summer get out the vote campaign was a little exhausting for me. I loved working the long hours and had a strong support group of like-minded people. The topic at one of our last discussion prior to the last day of elections was next steps. Everyone got together and discussed whether or not what we had been working on all summer would continue onto the next elections and beyond. Many of us were starting school again full time for the fall and were happy to do what they could. For others, only half of the work had really been done.

 We still had the November elections and then so much more work to do, especially leading up to the 2012 elections. Personally, that internship gave me a taste of what has to be done and the tools needed to move forward in continuing to help empower or communities through voter engagement efforts.

Personal Blog 5

How important is it to live in the present? Cliche I know but lately, I have found myself trying a little to hard to not worry about the future when that is the only thing I can’t get out of my head. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ll be graduating soon and my MPA was always the goal. Now, I have to get used to the ideaof working 8-5 which is amazing, I just don’t feel like a grown up yet… I’m 25! I feel blessed and grateful for working in an environment that allows me to help other people. I feel like I’m accomplishing everything I went to school for… I like what I do in constituent services, maybe I just have to challenge myself a little more. I love our team and I am still connected with those who helped empower others to get out the vote.

Being that I don't have a plan, I'm trying to enjoy the fact that there is now plan. I'm learning guitar, I'm not part of an indigenous dance group that danec for with the Catholic church for social justice, and I'm on my own.  My community is important to me and even though my education has cost me insurmountable student debt, I feel ready to do what I feel called to do, help empower others realize their potnetial through policy and civic engagement. Yay Arizona!

Working in Groups

As we come to the end of the internship I reflected on previous courses taken in the program, particularly organizational behavior. It’s interesting looking at different roles that a group of people take on. How one participates or does not participate. It’s important not to make people feel uncomfortable but be very inclusive and ensure that everyone’s input is heard and that people feel comfortable with the goals that have been met and also brainstorm as to how we can improve.

I found myself looking back realizing the importance of working in groups and making sure that if people did not agree with something we understood why. Naturally, after spending so much time together I really felt the people doing the internship with me were part of my new family. We spent time together outside of work and building that trust was a way for me to help me help them realize their potential. We had quiet members of the group I was among them in the beginning but challenging myself to speak up was one of the best ways I felt I could grow. I realize not everyone is the same but if we can all challenge in ourselves to grow in someone ways it can be very helpful to the person and to the overall organization.

Career Post 2

In meeting and networking with people throughout my internship I was encouraged to apply to work for a job with the City of Phoenix taking on a role in working with constituent services. I interviewed other people who had done the same job and worked for the City and found that this potentially may be something I would be interested in; particularity in district where I was very familiar with people and their concerns. I learned a lot about issues canvassing and talking to voters.

Working in government for people and bui9lding a bridge, closing the gap and letting people know that government works has always been a dream of mine. I love being able to demonstrate to people the power of their voice and their role in making our communities a better place to live for all people.  My organizing experience, my volunteer experience and my internship led me to my dream job, which is where I am today.

Career Post 1

On March 28, 2012, I attended ASU's career fair and was pleased with turn out of organizations and students that attended the event. Fortunately I have a full time job waiting for me beginning in September that was closely related to my internship last summer. I still felt it would be important to go to the internship to see what is out there and to keep an eye out for colleagues and friends who are also looking for a job.

There were a lot of government agencies with worked in foreign affairs which rekindled my aspirations to work internationally. I did some research with the State Department, but quickly was reminded by why I am here, why Phoenix and why Arizona. This is where it is for me and where I feel like I can make the most impact.

I noted that the internship had recruiters and eager to hire people as there were eager and excited people applying! It seemed promising for those people interested.

Personal Blog 4

I try to read as much as possible when I am not in school. When I have that opportunity I like to read about love blah blah and faith. El Salvador’s Archbisobps Romero is the epitome of living your faith through social justice. This man never took sides and lived out his faith 24/7 in the most loving and humble way. These passages, his homilies, the readings, other people’s analysis of his work is so uplifting and gives me hope, it gives me strength. Voice of the Voiceless is a collection of his work and provides detailed examples of his work and how he actively lived his faith. Check it out!

Personal Blog 3

Through hard work and the blessing of community and opportunities to  serve.. I’ve been pretty happy with life and have been able to fulfill every major goal I have set for myself. My MPA was always the goal and now that I’ll be receiving in a few months I have a full time job lined up. I’m so lucky, I just don’t know how not to be in school or how things are going to work out. What are future goals? I guess that’s what my question is. The only thing I can think of is for other people to be able to achieve their own. I’m not trying to sound like Mother Teresa or anything I just feel really blessed and grateful for opportunities that not many people may have had. I’m not trying to save anyone.. really. People just sometimes forget about inistutionalized forms of oppression, a system in which people are left behind and profit means more that figuring out how to end poverty. I’m having a conversation with myself J I’m blessed and everyday I will challenge myself to work so that all people have the opportunities achieve whatever makes them happy.

Personal Blog 2

So I’m realizing more and more especially lately, that moving to Phoenix was such a bold move. I’ve studied abroad, traveled to different countries not knowing what to expect. I didn’t have a place to live in Brazil until the day I got there- it kind of just worked out. I’m a Cali native and I am utterly and irrevocably almost the way Bella loves Edward in love with where I am from. My family lost their home due to foreclosure and moved to Texas, where the cost of living was much cheaper. I decided to stay in California for a year and did Americorps. I knew I was going to graduate school and I had an idea I was going to go to ASU. It’s in between Cali and Texas, right? I came here and it’s been great ever since. I quickly made friends, found a community of movers and shakers who are passionate about social justice and I feel like I belong. I guess I see myself settling down here. I have a home here; I just need to visit California once in awhile.

Conflict

Disagreements with leadership isn’t something I’ve come across too often in my experiences whether it be in work, school or in organizations that I have been involved with. At a certain point during my internship I found that others vehemently opposed certain practices that were being done in terms of how the organization was running and where it was heading. I did not see it at the time, but later I did realize the need and importance for collective goals and decision making. I think the campaign just got so intense that people were not practicing self care, were maybe afraid to quit and walk out due to being burnt out or what. I wasn’t in a top leadership position but I assisted in leading discussion. I found out that my own peers could not come to me with problems because of the very reason I mentioned before, I didn’t realize there was an issue. I felt hurt and disappointed in myself that I wasn’t able to read my peers and that they couldn’t come to me for help or advice. They care engouh about me to talk about it eventually and I then advised to have a discussion about the next steps.

Personal Blog 1

Public service has always been my dream and I am currently blessed with a position that allows me to serve and work with people everyday through local government. It was my experiences before, during and after this internship that I did last summer that allowed for this opportunity to occur in my life. I find myself in verymany of the same situations I found myself during the internship in terms of conflict with others, working as a team and overcoming hardships. The end goal is always the same. The sense of purpose remains I just hope that everyday I’m working, no matter how hard it is, I am motivated to give it my all.