By: D’Havian Scott
Hello everyone, and welcome back to another blog. For the past couple of weeks, I have had the fantastic opportunity to interview staff, leaders, and partners at the Yes Network and share their experience of partnering with Yes Network to make an impact in the lives of community members. This week, however, I have decided to bring myself to the interview seat and reflect on my time here working at The Yes Network, and all that I’ve learned and will be taking away.
My name is D’Havian Scott, and I am a rising senior at the College of Saint Benedict/ Saint John’s University. There, I study Sociology with a concentration in anthropology and a minor in psychology. Last semester I applied and was chosen as a Summer Leadership Fellow, Fleischhacker Center for Ethical Leadership in Action, through my college’s Experience and Professional Development Department. As a fellow, my school funded my internship to serve at a non-profit organization and impact the world for the common good. COVID-19 has devastated our world and has shifted life as we know it. I am so grateful that I was still able to keep my internship in the midst of it, even though it had to be now remote.
During my role as a remote intern at Yes Network, I was managing the weekly blogs, writing grant reports, connecting with community partners, and different staff members to learn about their experience working at or with the Yes Network. These past weeks have been really exciting and inspiring. I enjoyed connecting with Vistas, Art leaders, staff, and even the executive director, Jerry Sparby. Being able to experience The Yes Network and what they do for families and children through their eyes has been one of the most significant parts of this experience. It amazed me to see that despite being in the middle of a pandemic, workers adapted and adjusted protocols to ensure that even if they had to do it from a distance, the families were still being served and cared for. It showed that the heart of this program is service and building and strengthening the community.
One thing I will most definitely take away from this experience is the power of connecting and getting involved. From all the stories about serving food and connecting with the children through the Arts program, I realized how important it is to reach out and lend a hand to someone who needs it, even if they never ask. If you see a need and can meet it, you should do it! Kindness and joy spread like wildfire, and you only need to do your part and do what you can to make a difference. If I had to leave you all with one thing, I would echo what many have said: “Get Involved” and donate and support whatever capacity you can. Donate your time, support volunteers, and do your part. The Yes Network is a fantastic organization to get involved with!
