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Written by Clark Vilardebo
When I was thinking of potential internship opportunities for my last semester of college, Habitat for Humanity wasn’t even remotely on my radar.
As a mass communication major with a focus in journalism, I had my eyes set on joining a newsroom or broadcast station.
However, after taking a formative trip to Mexico this past summer with Oakland Avenue Presbytery church, I realized that maybe Habitat is exactly what I’m looking for.
Giving back to the community is incredibly important to me, especially people who may not have the luxuries or privileges that I do, and after my trip to Mexico I felt even more emboldened to help in the community. It just so happened that an opportunity would come in the form of an internship.
What really drew me to Habitat was I felt comfortable writing for them because I know they actually put in the work, they don’t just say “we’re here to help and learn” and then do the bare minimum.
I have been in these homes and seen the work they do. I have been in the office while they’re planning community events. I have volunteered in the Restore.
It’s not just the fact they put in the effort – there is so much that goes on behind the scenes. While building and repairing homes may be what most people think of when they hear about Habitat for Humanity, it is so much more than that.
I would never know that advocating for government support is a major part of what happens behind the scenes if I never took this internship. I would never know the numerous programs that Habitat offers. I would never know
that disaster relief is now a major aspect of Habitat for Humanity York County’s work.
I also never would have realized the problems they run into behind the scenes with federal, state and county funding.
That’s when I realized that I can still put my journalistic skills to use by informing the public about those situations. It’s important that the people know that this is a massive, multi-coordinated effort that often has to deal with bad actors, constantly changing schedules, and/or traveling around the state.
With that, it’s also important that the public sees and hears from those who work at Habitat, and realize that these are actual people working chaotic schedules to make our community better.
During my time here, I’ve written about the new board members, Habitat programs, community outreach, and advocacy and development. I also did a video on the Restore – another key aspect of Habitat I did not know about before taking on this internship.
This internship has not just helped me as a writer and a mass communication major, but it’s also made me more aware of what goes on behind the scenes at organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
I want to thank my supervisor Summersby Okey, the Director of Advocacy and Development at HFHYC, for giving me this opportunity and being such a supportive and understanding supervisor.
I also want to thank HFHYC as a whole for welcoming me and allowing me to write about them.
Support non-profit organizations like Habitat!
