Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW) located in downtown Portland is a non-profit organization that focuses on building more just, productive, and resilient communities in the Pacific Northwest. MCNW strives to help people build better lives for themselves while improving the surrounding communities they live in. This organization does so much for the community and really improves the quality of life for countless individuals and families.
My internship at MCNW includes updating the organization’s Annual Report. In order to do so, I’ve been gathering statistical data of the outcomes and outputs of the different programs the organization offered from the last fiscal year. In addition, I have been contacting and interviewing current clients about their businesses and their relationship with MCNW. Once all the stories and statistics are gathered, I will then compile it all together in order to create a new Annual Report. Moreover, MCNW recently launched a new website where my clients success stories and new articles for the Annual Report are published as testimonials for the public’s enjoyment.
My second ongoing project has to do with the Unitarian General Assembly Convention this summer in Portland. As a part of their convention, the Unitarian Church chooses a project/charity to focus on. Fortunately, they chose the MCNW’s Reentry Transition Center (RTC). The RTC helps incarcerated individuals transition from prison back to their communities. RTC provides the newly released with employment opportunities, housing, counseling, and other resources. Over the course of a year, RTC serves over 1000 clients and truly makes a difference in these individuals lives all while reducing recidivism. With the partnership between the RTC and the Unitarian Church, the RTC must man a booth, host a dinner, and plan a discussion panel. My job in this major project is to provide assistance wherever help is needed in the preparation for the convention.
I really do love this experience and this internship. I am genuinely excited to go to work everyday. I’ve learned that life in the non-profit sector is definitely a lot of work but it is meaningful work, where you feel a sense of accomplishment after completing the assigned tasks. As an Intern, I get to attend meetings and partake in business formalities that most people don’t have the chance to experience. This whole experience has helped me learn how to lead and work in different situations and environments, it has taught me how to become more adaptable and open to new things. I have also been able to adapt my strengths into my work here. I believe this will help me in the future when leading in different environments and organizations such as non-profit, for-profit, faith-based, and just your regular corporation because every type of company is different and has a distinctive work atmosphere. With only two weeks left of my internship, I’m already gearing up for those sad goodbyes as I just want to continue to grow and learn at Mercy Corps Northwest.
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Anna Stucki, Senior
Global Business: Operation and Technology Management & Spanish Minor