2017 CIIP Program Book 2017 CIIP Program Book | Page 45

Community Partner: Strong City Baltimore – Healthy Neighborhood
Intern: Daniela Perez-Roldan
Site Supervisor: KC Kelleher
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.
"This summer has been a whirlwind! When people say that non-profit workers wear a lot
of hats, they are not kidding. I split my past seven weeks working between two
communities: Remington and Ednor-Gardens Lakeside. My tasks varied greatly; at
Remington, I was helping to maintain a community garden and green space known as the
Sisson Street Lot, and at Ednor-Gardens Lakeside, I was tasked with planning many large
events including their 90th Anniversary Birthday Celebration and the Waverly Village
Fair. I never knew what to expect! One day, I would be sunburned and literally be
covered in dirt from all the shoveling, digging, and planting we were doing at the lot, but
the next I would be in an air conditioned office sending out email after email and
coordinating events. Through this experience, I have learned a lot about myself and the
nonprofit world.
In terms of the nonprofit world, I have learned how dynamic it is. Our office includes all
kinds of people ranging from volunteers to people with very technical experience in one
particular subject to others with typical corporate jobs. There is room for everyone's skill
sets. Most importantly, relationships with your coworkers matter. My favorite part about
being a part of Strong City is all of the people I met and how welcoming they were.
Having gone through some tough personal experiences this summer, my working
community was extremely supportive and understanding. There are not a lot of
organizations where your coworkers actively engaged with each other.
Finally, when I think back on my seven weeks here at Strong City, I think about how I was
a part of something bigger than my echo chamber. I was professionally and personally
invested in my work this summer because I felt what I was doing, although small, was
making an impact in the world of others. I think we should all be informed enough to
want to engage in that kind of experience. Being a part of the community you live in is
everyone's responsibility, do not be ignorant to the lives of those living around you and
their needs." -Daniela
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Worked to build and strengthen neighborhoods
through Strong City's Healthy Neighborhoods
initiative
Assisted in the development and beautification
of the Sisson Street Lot, a community
greenspace and urban garden, in Remington
Directed the planning and execution of several
neighborhood events in Ednor Gardens-
Lakeside and Remington
Coordinated fundraising and donor
communication for the Waverly Village Fair,
managed outreach, and served as the primary
point of contact for all involved organizations
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