One does not often imagine getting asked to participate in a CASA internship on the back of a yacht while wearing a prom dress. In fact, I would venture to guess that that might be a rather singular experience. The communications intern at the time was about to graduate and was looking for someone to take over. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into at the time, but I was more than happy to have a place in an organization that seemed so important.
It has been over two and a half years since I began in my internship. Two and a half years of CASA have become an invaluable part of my life. Two and a half years of getting to know the staff and being there to celebrate with them. Two and a half years of being a small part of something so important—something that does so much good.
When I tell people what I do for CASA, they’re usually a bit confused since I study chemistry in school. They don’t seem to understand why I’ve committed so much time to an activity as different from science as you can get. In reality, I started here because I love what CASA stands for. I kept growing in my role and putting in the effort because I love being a small part of the mission. It’s precisely because devoting part of myself to an organization like CASA is so different from the rest of my commitments that I love it as much as I do.
Growing up, I watched my family serve so many communities in so many ways. My grandfather helped to establish a children’s hospital in Haiti. My dad went to do cleanup after Hurricane Katrina. My aunt, an elementary school teacher, traveled to Rwanda every year to teach children. My grandmother, my uncle, and my mom built houses all over the Southwest. I was raised to serve. I was raised to love. I was raised to find a way to help. I may not be able to establish hospitals or build houses, but CASA is where I’ve thrived.
As I write this, knowing my time in Santa Cruz is coming to an end, I think about the fact that both my grandparents would be so proud of all the hard work I’ve put into CASA. They were the ones who always pushed me to go on philanthropic trips and plan service projects, and I can’t help but think that my version of honoring their legacies is to continue that. I’ll always be grateful to CASA for gifting me the opportunity to make that come true.
I guess the last thing I have to say is “thank you.” Thank you to the staff who trained me from literally no experience. To the support system I’ve had the last few years. To the previous intern, Gabby, for thinking of me when she was asked to find a successor. Magi for letting me make mistakes and grow from them. Memaw and Poppy for teaching me that I can always do more to help, even if it feels small. And mostly, thank you, CASA, for letting me be a little piece of your life-changing, difference-making legacy.
