Hi All!!!
I can’t believe it’s been four weeks already since I started my internship at Centro Presente. Time has gone by so fast!!! In these four weeks, however, I have learned so much and participated in so many activities that I feel I have exceeded my expectation for this internship. During these four weeks, we have been working in many different events. One of these events was to inform people about the deferred action that President Obama gave to the Dreamers. The rest of the events have been more concentrated to inform people about the Secure Communities Program implemented in Massachusetts since May 15, 2012.
Two weeks ago, we went to the State House to present the statewide commission to monitor the implementation of Secure Communities. At this event, we had people from many different organizations in Massachusetts who support the creation of this commission. We had the presence of Somerville Representative Denise Provost, who told the stories of so many children who are being separated from their families because of secure communities and how there is need to stop the implementation of this program in our state. This past Friday, we went to Waltham where we talked to people about the effects of this program and how people can protect from it.
My days at Centro Presente have been different every day, something that I really enjoy. Some days I spend time doing translations and planning events including creating the fliers, contacting people to reserve the place, and calling allies and members to invite them to the events. Other days, I spend time organizing the events that we have for the week. Occasionally, I am in charge of the reception where I answer the phone and help the people who have appointments for the day.
Something that I feel very proud of is the time I have been teaching English to adults in Centro Presente. Teaching is something that I thought I would never be able to do, however, when I was asked by the organizer of classes at Centro Presente to teach, I did not hesitate to say yes. This experience has taught me how hard a teacher’s job is since they have to spend so much time outside of teaching time to prepare classes. I think teachers deserve more value than what society gives them.
Reflecting on the goals that I set for this summer, I feel that I have been able to accomplish them thus far. Working with people and listening to their stories, I have been able to give them a different perspective. I think that because I have taken Psychology and Sociology courses, I am more able to listen to people and to find way to assist them in the best way that I find suitable. Another goal that I have been able to accomplish is to acquire more work experience. Being a full-time intern at Centro Presente has been a way for me to learn what it is like to be in a work setting; experience that I did not have before so I am very thankful to the WOW committee for this opportunity.
I. Moreno, ’13
I was at that presentation at the MA State House recently, too! One of the attorneys on staff at my internship (National Immigration Project) brought me there, and I thought it was a great way for me to see how immigration issues are affecting the daily lives of individuals. My internship does not bring me in close contact with the people that the organizations helps, so it was great to see a different perspective from an organizations that takes an active role in the community. I would love to talk sometime about our internships since we are both in Boston and our organizations deal with many of the same issues, but in different ways!
Good luck with the rest of your time at Centro Presente.
Jonna Cottrell
ooh yeah definitely, we should talk so we can share the different ideas about our experiences at these organizations and how it gives us different perspectives in the same issues. Good Luck to you too!!!
Ivonne Moreno