Journal Entries Week 1 14 Fall 2013 Internship Claymont Community Center Week 1 Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, September

er 8, 2013 8:59:15 PM EDT Since the commencement of my Fall 2013 Internship with Claymont Community Center, I have found that the duties associated with my job title are more in depth than those typically given to an intern. After familiarizing myself with the office staff, building layout, and various programs offered at the community center, I was given the tasks that I would be working on for the next few months. Those tasks included major projects such as coordinating logistics for an Aquatics program for the Senior Citizen Program, conducting surveys for the Food Closet, and helping to find funding for the Diabetes Self-Management Program, all under the direction of the Program Director Ms. Jeanne Corman. Between reaching out to the community in search of local funding and working closely with the community center's administration staff, I have found that it is imperative to keep accurate detailed notes of all contacts made, as well as to devise a weekly schedule in order to keep up with the ongoings of my full time job and the requirements of my internship. These tasks require that not only am I efficient in completing my duties, but that I apply all that I have learned in the previous Administration of Human Services coursework. The goal of the Claymont Community Center is to assist in helping families in the Claymont area of Delaware meet their immediate needs, as an Intern over the next several months I plan to do my part in that mission. Week 2 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Monday, September 16, 2013 8:04:57 PM EDT During the second week of my internship with Claymont Community Center, I experienced taking direction from more than one authority source in the human service field. My current Internship position reports to the Program Director, Jeanne Corman, and due to multiple upcoming absences, Greg Munson, Program Developer. I have come to realize that when receiving direction from more that more source it is best to address both sources with issues such as details, logistics, and due dates. If there are any discrepancies, I find that its best to address both parties so that everyone is on the same page. This week I administered a survey at the Food Closet. I was able to interact with several of the clients, and as with anyone in need you want to offer as much help as possible. I will take the data from the surveys and calculate general responses. These findings will be later used by the Program Director when requesting future grant monies for the Food Closet and other Programs. Other tasks that I continue to work on include gathering information for the Diabetes Self-Management Program, and the Senior Citizen Aquatics Program, and conceptualizing and/ or brainstorming ideas for the Claymont Community Center display board.

Week 3 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Monday, September 23, 2013 4:30:43 PM EDT This week while completing my internship duties, I was a little more comfortable after becoming acclimated with many of the Program and Program Managers at the Claymont Community Center. I continue to work on the Display Board as that is a major project for the current Project Director, Greg Munson. In completing the Display Board task, I have learned to actively use the Microsoft Publisher program as I have not had to use this program previously. I do find that I am running into the issue of trying to convey someone else's ideas. Initially my thought process is that if you know exactly how you wish the Board to be conceptualized then it is mostly likely better that that person complete that task instead of turning down every idea that someone else presents. However, I continue to work on this activity until it is agreed that is is going in the right direction. Collaborating with others has an interesting dynamic in that it provides more than one perspective. When working in an administrative position one must understand that you have to deal with all obstacles, both good and bad. Week 5 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, October 6, 2013 7:27:35 PM EDT This week the internship experience has bought about a sense of responsibility to the organization in which I have chosen to dedicate my time, service, and efforts to. I must admit that upon the first day of my internship at the Claymont Community Center I was a bit apprehensive. I did not think I could make it through an entire 15 weeks, let alone devote the amount of time needed to complete all the tasks discussed on the first day. With that being said, almost 5 weeks, I find myself allocating more time to completing my obligations at the community center because my rationale has lead me to the conclusion that once those tasks and my 120 hours have been completed that that will be my only mark left with this organization. As such I found it important to communicate regularly and effectively with my Site Supervisor, and to ensure that all tasks are completed on time. All in all I have come to see the importance of taking the internship as serious as I take my full time job. Finding and happy/ medium or a balance with all of my obligations however has proven to be a task in itself. Week 6 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, October 20, 2013 8:22:09 PM EDT Week 6 of the internship process bought about issues with scheduling between both my full time job and the hours needed to satisfy the specified quota. Instead of spending an easy 2 days a week 4 hours a day, I had to drive to the community center 4 times. While this did not present a major issue, it did bring to light that no matter how much I assume to know my

schedule, that I will have to continue make adjustments to ensure that I complete the tasks assigned to me by my supervising organization and to complete my regular job duties. I have also adjusted to the supervision style of one of my site supervisors who proves to be a perfectionist. While is generally difficult to work closely with a perfectionist, when working under the guidance of one it proves easier to just do things their way. This does necessarily mean that one should lose their voice or not state their opinion but more so find a common goal and understanding that both parties can stick to, before perusing said project. Week 7 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, October 20, 2013 6:18:49 PM EDT The week has bought the end of several projects and completion of a few tasks and at least one of my goals. Following the collection of the survey from the Food Closet Program, I was challenged to take all of the data and summarize it in to a document to be used by admin staff for the purposes of securing future funding. In addition to that particular task I was able to complete a goal of my learning contract. This particular goal consisted of strategically developing a display board to be used by the Agency when making appearances in the community. This task required me to meet and build relationships with other Program Managers in an effort to make sure that the information used for the display was both accurate and detailed. This task also required me to learn new Microsoft programming that I would not otherwise use. I was apprehensive at first as well as resistant, but following the direction of my supervising team allowed for successful completion of the Project. Finally this week bought about the necessity and understanding of taking care of oneself. After making a few mistakes at my regular job, I realized that I had/have to prioritize things in my life. This is not only important for myself but for those around me as well. Week 8 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, October 27, 2013 10:56:54 PM EDT Week 8 of the internship experience bought about certain levels of stress that I have yet to experience. I was forced to choose between completing impending, somewhat urgent tasks at work to or to go my internship. This week I felt it more than necessary to put my full time job first and cut my internship hours in half to only 4 hours. This not only elevated some of the stressors bought about from not feeling as though I have been fulfilling my actual job duties, but it also helped me realize that though I had two very important responsibilities, ensuring that my bills were paid was paramount. Though first it was almost daunting to have to explain to my site supervisors that my scheduling difficulties, the open and honest communication help me to realize that I was in fact doing the right thing. The extra time I spent at work this week not only help me catch up on my caseload and field work but it cut down on the vacation hours that I have been using to complete my internship. To date I have completed 64 hours and have 56 more hours to complete. Because I have recently completed a big project, I have been completing a lot more busy work as well as doing some grant work.

Week 9 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, November 3, 2013 9:13:21 PM EST Week 9 of my internship has bought about a brief standstill in productive work. Many of the tasks I was asked to complete at the initial orientation have been completed. Tasks including but not limited to, the event marketing display board, the Food Closet survey, and finding and researching grants were completed during the first 8 weeks of the internship. I have turned to spending more time on respective school work, needed to satisfactorily complete this course and ultimately this program. I have come to realize that much like this internship, all things come to an end. This week I have learn that approximately three administrative level employees have made plans to leave the community center. It is kind of difficult to see someone who is so passionate at one particular agency or one particular program, be "ok" with moving on to other ventures. The passion in this business has to be for the people, because programs and organizations come and go for several reasons, but the people, the client will always be there and in need of services. It will remain our, my job as an Human Service agent to ensure that those services are available no matter the means of delivery. Week 10 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, November 10, 2013 4:51:39 PM EST Now that this internship experience is more than half way complete, I find myself spending more time completing the assignments associated with this course and ensuring that I am getting done the hours necessary to complete this course. The initial weeks of this experience I spent learning concepts and taking in knowledge I wouldn't otherwise have access to. To date I have 38.75 remaining and about 4-5 weeks to complete those hours. Completing other assignments such as the cultural immersion paper and working on my weebly website take up the remaining free time I do have. I keep reminding myself of the importance of completing all necessary requirements because my end goal is to obtain my Master's Degree. To date the only standing between myself and walking across the stage in January is completing my internship. I will move onward and forward and remind myself that there is only approximately five more weeks left before this class is complete. I have a few more major tasks that I look to complete prior to leaving the Claymont Community Center. These tasks include completing a small grant from the Diabetes Self Management Program, continued participation in the Yuletide Event Committee and to see the final completed Marketing Display Board.

Week 11 - The Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, November 17, 2013 5:08:54 PM EST This week I realized that as concerned as I was about completing my 120 internship hours that I had in fact started with the Claymont Community Center a week before class started. With that being said, I am able to complete my remaining 28.5 hrs over the span of the next three (3) weeks. The assignments that I look to complete in the next 3 weeks include finishing up a small grant for the Office Depot Foundation, researching and drafting policies relating to child sexual abuse, and helping out with Annual Yuletide event. I am most looking forward to completing this class so that I may return to a regular schedule at my full time job though I fully understand and appreciate the opportunity to create and add to the Claymont Community Center's overall production. It is also important that I spend ample time developing my e-portfolio website. I continue to apply the concepts and knowledge that I have learned both from class and within the text.

Week 12 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, November 24, 2013 9:13:44 PM EST Now that there is only two weeks left until my internship with Claymont Community Center concludes, I like to ensure that I spend my remaining hours doing meaningful work. This week I worked on creating a policy and procedure addition to the drafting employee manual. This policy focused on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention for the agency. This included researching internet resources and reaching out to outside agencies to find out if there are existing policies in place that can be mocked. This week I plan to perform at least four hours of service and continue to work on the Cultural Immersion paper. I do have a few tasks that have been outlined in my learning contract, that I would like to complete with my remaining 17.5 hours. Week 13 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Sunday, December 1, 2013 10:11:21 PM EST This week I have spent approximately 6 hours assisting in the Annual Appeal. This consisted of tediously addressing and stuffing envelopes that would be sent out to past and potential monetary donors. This week we also prepared for the annual Yuletide event which will take place on Friday December 6, 2013. My tasks in regards to this event have been to write a letter requesting donations to local businesses in the community. I then followed up with each business personally to encourage and build positive relationships on behalf of the community center. Interestingly enough, during the Yuletide Event Committee meeting on Monday, I did

witness what I can best describe as a verbal disagreement. What I ave come to realize is that when working in the human services profession, often professionals are comfortable expressing how they feel without fear of any sort of adverse reaction. I do believe that while this is healthy as professionals, it is always in important to have boundaries within the workplace. To date, I have 15 more hours to complete within the next two weeks. Week 14 - Claymont Community Center Posted by Jasmine Ervin at Saturday, December 7, 2013 7:08:18 PM EST As I end my internship this week I engaged in meeting with both of my site supervisors and it was then that I realized how much I benefited from my time at the Claymont Community Center. At the beginning of my journey I made it, I knew that me not being a "people person" was a hurdle that I would have to overcome, not only during my internship but also in my daily life. One of my accomplishments during the past few months at the Claymont Community Center was community outreach. With several of the goals outlined by my Site Supervisor upon my arrival, several of the tasks required that I reach out to the community in an effort to build relationship that could lead to other means of support. One on my final tasks was coordinating the food for the Annual Yuletide Event. I knew that this was my chance to take an initiative. I drafted a letter that I initially wanted to fax, email or even use snail mail to contact local restaurants for a donation. I hoped that reading the letter would be enough to move these businesses to donate. Then after speaking to my site supervisor it was apparent that spending money on stamps wasn't really an option. So I took it upon myself to go to each pizzeria in the local area and drop the letter off. In the end we received 29 donated pizzas. It was the amount of pizzas that I found impressive but more so my own determination to overcome certain obstacles in an effort to better myself both personally and professionally. I have completed all of my internship hours and will be spending the next few days compiling all of my work to present to my fellow class members.