Community Partner: Thread Intern: Andrew Johnson Site Supervisor: Christina Marsh
What is Thread? Thread uses a“ family‐style” approach to foster the transformation of both underperforming high school students and university‐based Volunteers into self‐motivated, resourceful, and socially aware leaders committed to a higher purpose of their own.
My time at Thread has been both challenging and rewarding. I came into the summer with some clear goals in mind; to develop as a professional communicator and public speaker, to establish personal connections with the students in our program, and to help make their summer experiences as enriching and enjoyable as possible. I think my communication skills have certainly improved a great deal, as I am now a more confident and effective speaker in both meetings and on the phone. I also feel more comfortable leading meetings and mediating disputes as a result of my time at Thread. However, I considered these aims to be tertiary to my other two goals for the summer. On these fronts I think there were some vital successes but also some unfortunate oversights. A few of my students were terminated from their jobs during the first two weeks of their employment, either due to attendance or behavioral issues. It was especially disheartening in the instances where a kid was fired unjustifiably and I felt that they deserved another opportunity. Many of my students began to open up to me over the course of the summer, and this in turn allowed me to gain insights into their interests and candidly discuss their summer experiences. In too many of these instances I felt like I could not make a true difference or eradicate the issues or concerns that they presented to me. I found students placed at office sites who wanted to work outside with kids and students placed at summer camps who desired and expressed interest in office work. I was filled with joy as I heard a student tell me how their volunteer family takes them out for meals once a week, and I was equally disheartened when one girl revealed to me that none of her volunteers had been present in more than six months. Many of the students in our program face immensely difficult personal circumstances and are forced into the perils and challenges of adulthood at a very early age. While I tried to instill positive lessons and attitudes into the kids I worked with this summer, I am certain that they have shaped me more than I could ever possibly influence them. I am inspired by their incredible resolve in the face of so much adversity, in their ability to compartmentalize their grief and thrive in instances where I would have surely seized up and been rendered useless. I was witness to many personal triumphs this summer, only a small fraction of which I had any part in shaping. However, I can truly say that I did my best to support my students as they faced these challenges, and for that I have no regrets. ‐ Andrew
Tasks:
● Acted as a liaison between st worksites across Baltimore C their Thread volunteer famili
● Designed orientation materia outlined expectations, respo deadlines for the program.
● Conducted site visits in order paperwork to students and t the students at their worksite were satisfied with their sum
● Helped plan and run professi seminars on sexual health an aided in the development of students were able to reflect experiences.