2016 CIIP Program Booklet | Page 47

Community Partner : Strong City Baltimore Intern : Celine Shanosky Site Supervisor : Lottie Sneed
What is Strong City ? Established in 1969 , Strong City is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build and strengthen vibrant urban communities in Baltimore City . Our work centers on the pillars of vibrant urban living : safe streets , good and diverse quality housing stock , quality schools , and livability .
The Nate Tatum Community Center , a joint venture of Strong City Baltimore and Telesis Corporation , has been my home for the past seven weeks . I have had the pleasure of working with my compassionate and dedicated supervisor Ms . Lottie to plan her keynote events : the BMOG Cookout and the Annual Women ’ s Empowerment Conference . To prepare for these events I visited over fifteen businesses to solicit in‐kind donations , made hundreds of phone calls to secure turn out , created and distributed flyers , purchased materials , and coordinated day‐of logistics .
In addition to event planning , Ms . Lottie tasked me with creating youth programming . When school ended in June , I placed dozens of Barclay youth in free summer camps . Over the next few weeks I created “ Tuesday Kids Night ” and “ Tuesday Teen Night ”, drop‐in hours where youth could stop in for dinner , games , and other activities . For “ Tuesday Kids Night ”, I was able to organize a Smoothie Making Class held in conjunction with Baltimore Orchard Project and a Yoga Class donated by a local instructor . I was also able to coordinate a free trip to Camden Yards for 130 youth and 20 chaperones . I publicized these events through phone calls and flyering , and as the summer progressed I was given more opportunities to write and design publicity materials , including the Seasonal Barclay Newsletter .
Beyond these projects , I was also involved in the day‐to‐day functioning of the center . I provided employment services to drop‐ins by administering skills tests , creating resumes , and assisting in job searches . I was able to attend many fascinating meetings and events , including biweekly community building meetings , the center ’ s dedication , the End of School Cookout , Block Ambassador Trainings , Strong City Baltimore ’ s board meeting , and a conference between Congressmen Bill Henry , developers and affordable housing policy makers .
Throughout my internship I worked side by side with Ms . Lottie , a woman who inspired and challenged me every single day . Ms . Lottie tasked me with meaningful projects while encouraging me to interact with community members , making this internship so incredibly valuable to me . I have gained solid experience in community building , exposure to non‐profit management , and a further interest in advocating for affordable housing , employment and literacy in the community I have grown to care so deeply for . To my supervisor , the Barclay community , CIIP , and everyone that made this summer possible for me : thank you from the bottom of my heart . ‐ Celine
Tasks :
• Solicited in‐kind donations planning for BMOG Cookou Empowerment Conference
• Organized summer camp e youth programming such a Tuesday Teen Night .
• Created and distributed pu center events . Headed wri seasonal newsletter .
• Facilitated day‐to‐day cent providing employment ser members .