Community Partner : Office of Councilmember Zeke Cohen Intern : Melanie Pillaca-Gutierrez Site Supervisor : Joshua Thompson
What is the Office of Councilmember Zeke Cohen ?
The Office of Baltimore City Councilmember Zeke Cohen works to lift up and work hand-inhand with the community we serve . We are committed to executing a world-class constituent service operation for all residents of the First District . Our team continuously strives for excellence . We care about being responsive to the needs of our constituents .
This past summer working at the Office of Councilmember Cohen , I gained a deeper understanding of local government , community , and Baltimore . Compared to my previous experiences , interning at a City Council office allowed me to witness the impact of my work in tangible ways . One of my main goals for the summer was to learn about local government in Baltimore , and I can say I not only achieved this goal but also surpassed it . The experiences I had as an intern for Councilmember Cohen and his team , from attending city council hearings to speaking with constituents over the phone about their different concerns , showed me the day-to-day of local government and what is possible when passionate people strive to elevate and resolve community concerns every day . Our elected officials are in positions to effectively represent us , whether it ’ s from city council or the White House , and it requires skills like compassion , proactiveness , and a devotion to the community you are serving . The Office of Councilmember Cohen does not lack these qualities and applies them in every email , Zoom meeting , and piece of legislation that passes through the office .
The most important lesson I learned by working here is that communities thrive when the support they receive is based on their specific needs . A good City Council office will not only listen to its constituents but also work alongside them to address problems at their root . I have been able to hear from and work with non-profits specializing in community development and individuals who care a lot about their community , and the outcomes of their efforts are consistently tangible progress . Going into this summer , I was unsure of what to expect . Given my doubts at the beginning of being able to both leave an impression and gain important skills , I can safely say this internship exceeded my expectations . I ’ m ending this summer inspired by the people who do this work every day and excited to continue supporting the work of the office and the thriving communities of Baltimore ’ s District 1 .
Attended variety of City Council hearings and community meetings relevant to progressing the work of the office Resolved 30 + constituent requests by elevating their concerns to appropriate city agency or connecting them to resources Assisted in obtaining updates from city and community stakeholders for Neighborhood Revitalization Plan work group monthly meetings Collaborated with community leaders to organize large scale resource fair in Southeast Baltimore neighborhoods
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