This Is Not The End, But The Beginning

Working at Future for Kids has been a privilege and an honor. I went into this experience not fully sure how things were going to work. I had never worked for a nonprofit company or in a position that wasn’t sales, so I was a bit apprehensive as far as if I was going to be good enough for the company. I think one thing I am thankful for is the fact that I wasn’t fully sure what to expect, why you ask? Well I feel that because, I didn’t have any preconceived notions about Future for Kids, every time something happened I was in awe, I was excited and ready for anything. I feel that diving headfirst into the experience was something that gave me so much more, everything was an adventure. You know that saying, that ignorance is bliss? Well it only starts out as ignorance, but turns into a journey, when you having everything before you and all you know is that you are moving forward to a higher goal, everything can be an amazing and wonderful, you just have to look at it the right way. If you go into things like internships or even careers with all you weapons, strength, and knowledge in place, even if you fail it is still a learning experience that taught you a lesson you can use for years to come. I feel that as I am reaching the end of my time at Future for Kids I have found my groove here. I feel comfortable in the things I am doing and in the experience I have gained. Future for Kids didn’t just teach me about a business they taught me about community. When working in such a small company you have to have allies in every corner ready to help you when you need. Personal interactions are a huge part of being in the nonprofit community. Everyone is involved no matter how small the job, everyone stays in contact at all times, ready and prepared for changes and growth in the company. To me Future for Kids isn’t just a nonprofit company it is a family, a family that is there for each other and for the kids that we are striving for. Even working with the kids at our sites is a learning experience; it teaches you about compassion and shows you to have faith in what you do because it does matter. Those kids are the most amazing individuals, from day one they grabbed my heart and didn’t let go. I feel that the children we serve at our sites are the mortar that holds this company together, without them, what would we fight for. This has been such a rewarding experience, because in my heart and in my experience I know that the work I have done for the company has and will continue to be important. My work helped make a difference in these kids’ lives, and that is the most rewarding experience. My reason for being able to get up at 6:30am and come into work is because, it matters when I am there, it matters to the company, and it matters to the kids. We are a family that thrives off each other and helps propel each other forward. This experience has become such an important part of my life that I plan to continue to help with the company whenever I can, working with them on projects I have started during my time here. That way I can see the finished product and experience the feeling and the realization that I created something that is going to make a difference to a community. As my internship comes to an end so does our summer program for the kids, it pulls at my heart as I realize how much I am going to miss them. I am going to miss being a part of their lives and watching them as they build their confidence and hope. The one thing that makes it all ok is the realization that I was a part of a great experience for this sort time, that made an impact and a difference in the children’s live. I am not sure if nonprofit is the direction that I am heading, but I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned and the experience I have gained. This have been an amazing adventure that I will remember forever, I have faith that this experience will be an integral part of my future. Future for Kids has helped me grow and change giving me knowledge and strength in my abilities. I feel that this time at Future for Kids, more to the point the time at my internship site and knowledge I gain from being an intern period is something I think all college students should do and be a part of.

“A Spoon Full Of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down.” “Just Whistle While You Work.”

Improvement is something that everyone and everything needs it is the facts of life, no one is perfect, no matter what they say. But, everyone is unique, companies, people, and governments and sometimes the flaws work for them and don’t need to be changed. So here is how I would like to go about talking about improvements I think might help Future for Kids move smoother. One of the best things I learned from theater was how to give positive critiques, the best way to approach them is by stating the strengths first before stating things that might need improvement. Also we had to make sure our dialogue wasn’t self defeating, meaning when someone is giving you strengths and positive feedback and the but, or however is stated it takes away and nullifies all the good things you have said. So the best thing is to say and do is simple state now here are some areas I would like to see you work on. Now with that said and explained I am going to start by stating the things at Future for kids that are strengths and make them stand out from other nonprofit companies. Future for Kids may be a small company, but what they lack in size they make up for in passion. This company isn’t about the company it is about the kids we are working for, everyday there isn’t one decision that is made that isn’t concerned or question on how it will either positively or negatively affect the children. The Founder and the Executive Director put their hearts into every piece of work they do. Next, they are go getters nothing puts them down, they might get frustrated but, they never give up they are always striving to make the company better and more innovative. I called the Executive Director an energizer bunny and she got very worried thinking that was a bad thing. We had a good laugh and I explained to her that is was something amazing and something that made the company stand out; she is always one step ahead, ready for whatever comes at her and the company. For a company that consists of two to three people the feel and process of it is that of a bigger company. To me the way they come at things is a perfect way to handle a company. Now, on to a couple of things that I feel might help the company run a bit smooth and more efficient. First, I would like to state that these are minor things that I have noticed, but I feel they can be stronger; the bigger one I would like to talk about is communication within the office. Both the Founder and the Executive Director are strong communicators they are always in touch with board members and donors. With there only being two people it is hard sometimes to keep track of all the things each one of them takes care of. I think that maybe there should be once weekly meeting to give a low down of past, present, and future happenings of the company. This I feel would be beneficial because, sometime they get their wires crossed and think, he is doing that and she is doing this, when in fact he is doing this and she is doing that. See what I am getting at? They understand what is going on, but sometimes they get confused on the who and how. They in no means are major problem just some cross wiring that I feel with tighter communication can be handled and fixed with no problem. The next is one that plays along with the last, for me is organization. Again with such a small company things can get mixed up, I feel that a better filing and data control will help with that. Like with the last suggestion I feel that the weekly meetings can help greatly with this endeavor as well, it is a way to keep track of everything. You know that old saying, “a place for everything and everything in its place,” that is just a little hard to do at the office sometimes, partially sometimes because of communication. There are assumptions made sometimes between those in the office, things like people should just know that this is this or that is there, but it isn’t always that obvious. Now so both things are easily workable and one can help change the other. Meaning with tighter communication skills, being more organized will fall into place and with stronger organization, there can be better communication. So they are not problems or failures they are just areas that need some fine tuning, which as I said no one is perfect and everyone has ways they need to grow and change. Things are simple depending on how you look at it. You can make things seem horrible and impossible or you can see them as an opportunity for growth. It’s like saying the glass is half empty or half full, it is all in how you choose to look at it and approach it. So if you are going to do something go for gold, I have fallen in love with a quote that fit that idea and mind set, “There are many To-morrows, my Love, my Love, -There is only one To-day,” by Joaquin Miller. Life is what you make of it you just have realize that it’s not perfect and everything is subject to change, so go with the flow, everyone has something they have to work on.

Talking with Mrs. Madonna Bistany Executive Director at Future for Kids.

After I was able to shadow Mrs. Madonna Bistany Executive Director for Future for Kids and had a chance to discuss the day to day workings of her job, she was gracious enough to sit down with me again and talk about the why, who, what, and where of her life and job with future for kids. One of the major things that she told that I would like to share with everyone before jumping into the interview is, she adamantly declared that to be successful in not only life, but in your career you have to “Love what you do! Be passionate about it every moment,” to me that was something that was very moving and quit refreshing. When I think about my life and my future and the lives of others I always think that you have to have joy and passion in your life or what is the point of being here? As I grew up I watched my dad just go through the motions of his job there was no spirit in it. He went day to day doing a job he didn’t enjoy, than came home feeling so physically and mentally exhausted that he couldn’t even move some days. Why if we spend all the time we do learning about something, do we spend the rest of our lives miserable? It can’t be how life is, I want to go to work and feel inspired, and in the case of Mrs. Bistany that is exactly how she feels every day. Now after my little ramble let’s move on to the interview.

Rachel:
What types of challenges do you face?

Mrs. Bistany:
Keeping things fresh in the nonprofit area is the biggest struggle. To keep your company growing and thriving you always have to be thinking about bigger and better things that can draw in donors and volunteers. Also you have to keep everyone from the board members to the community engaged and focused on the plan that is best for the company. Also you always have to expect problems you can prepare for them, but sometimes you just have to face them as they come.

Rachel:
How you deal with deadlines?

Mrs. Bistany:
I am always trying to be down before the deadlines. I don’t like to have the last minute worries and rush. My motto is always better to be done early than late. The ability to be done early let you have more time for last minute problems that may arise. Also you have chance to make changes without feeling stressed or over whelmed.

Rachel:
What about your position do you like most?

Mrs. Bistany:
My favorite thing about this job and company is you have the ability to have it be what you make of it. The more work and passion you put into it the better and stronger it becomes. To me this job is so personally fulfilling and rewarding, you walk away knowing that you have helped make a difference in the children’s lives. You have put forth all your power and strength to create a well oiled machine that has the ability to change lives. And getting a chance to see the kids and how much they enjoy our programs is heartwarming and breathe taking.

Rachel:
What do you think you can do to help make things work smoother in the company?

Mrs. Bistany:
The ability to grow the company to appoint where we will have a full time staff is going to be an essential part of providing a greater opportunity to have smooth functioning company. It is hard to have to change interns and volunteers every semester, having to train and retrain people can be hard and be draining. To have interns is a blessing, but the ability to have a person constantly help and growing in their knowledge of the company is a very wonderful asset for a company.

Rachel:
What are your feelings about working with others?

Mrs. Bistany:
Team work is huge and integral part of nonprofit work being connect to everyone and the community is the way we can find support to help our company thrive. This is my favorite part of the job getting a chance to work with everyone and be a part of every aspect of the company. I love getting to work with our interns and show them how the world of nonprofit works, the ability to know that you have given them knowledge and passion for the nonprofit community is a wonderful and inspiring part of my job.

Rachel:
Do you find you enjoy working on group projects?

Mrs. Bistany:
The best work in my opinion is the work that comes from a team project. I love working on group projects you have so many ideas and available resources. The big part of being an executive director is have the final say in most if not all of the projects. So you have to work with everyone keeping up to date on the projects and making sure you understand the best way to achieve the goals of the company are.

Rachel:
What would you consider your ideal work environment?

Mrs. Bistany:
My ideal work environment is very much the environment we are in now. Having a small office with people enjoy what they do and are passionate about creating the best company we can, create good energy and that helps drive the company as a whole. I loved the individualities that comes together to create a larger being willing to go the extra mile for the company and the children is a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Rachel:
Is there anyone in a similar position that you look up to and respect?

Mrs. Bistany:
A lot of my friends are Executive Directors from other charities. We have an amazing opportunity to pull ideas and resources together to help one another grow and become more knowledgeable on growing events in the community. The ability to watch other people in your field is the greatest learning experience you can compare similarities and differences gauging which works best for you and your company. To surround yourself with people in your field that you have respect for helps you grow and reinforce your ideals.

Shadowing My Mentor. Life in an Executive Director's Shoes

I was grateful that I was able to shadow my supervisor Future for Kids Executive Director Mrs. Madonna Bistany. One thing I notice about the office is that everyone is always going and going just like the Energizer Bunny. Being a small company that consists mainly of the Founder Rod Smith and the Executive Director Madonna, with two part-time employees, and finally the ever faithful Interns ;) there is always something to be done and everyone has to step up and take charge especially Mrs. Bistany and Mr. Smith. So that being said it was mildly difficult to follow Mrs. Bistany through all of her daily duties. So I watched an observed but, I also took the time to engage her and ask her questions. So first, here is the day that I got to see, Mrs. Bistany arrived at the office at 8:45am hands full and already on a business call. After a very impressive juggling act, which consisted of trying to talk on the phone, open the door, and balancing her laptop, purse and coffee, I tried asking if she needed help but, she was all set and the door was open. First thing in the office she was finishing the first business call, logging on to her business files and email, responding to the most important emails, and then heading straight into another important call. Mrs. Bistany was going a mile a minute making sure that everything was in place before her upcoming meetings that day. Thankfully I had a chance to sit down and talk to her before the first meeting of the day. Realizing that there was more than meets the eye with Mr. Bistany and her job as Executive Director, I wanted to dig deeper and see what happens at the meetings and to my astonishment what work she continues to do at home. Mrs. Bistany was kind enough to give me the low down of a day in the life of an Executive Director. She informed me that her day starts even before she reaches the office, Mrs. Bistany straight after waking up in the morning logs into her emails checking for important updates, concerns, and question that need to be address directly. Then Mrs. Bistany double checks her calendar for the day making sure everything is set for the day and makes any last minutes changes that have come up. Still before even reaching the office she has to run important errands for the company. Mrs. Bistany continues to tell me that what I witnessed that morning was and is the regular occurrence for her, having to run around and juggling for the day’s events. She told me that the most important thing she needs to accomplish everyday is keeping in constant contact with everyone. She and Mr. Smith have daily meeting so as to keep track of the present and upcoming events, problems, and needs of the company and those involved with it. Mrs. Bistany has to keep in constant contact with Board Members currently on staff as well as those looking to become Board Members, she states that she is employed by the Board Members but, she is also has the final say in all decisions made by them about the company and its funding. Laughing Mrs. Bistany states that every day she has to be on her toes ready for anything and everything thrown her way, she states that the ability to multi-task is a very important skill that all Executive Directors need in their bag of tricks that helps keep the company growing and thriving. After having the chance to talk with Mrs. Bistany, she was right back in Energizer Bunny mode, she had another phone call and a last minute program meeting, before having to head off to her largest meeting of the day with a person possibly interested in making a donation to the company. Mrs. Bistany is always moving always going, ready for the next big project to be thrown her way. Long after I have left for the day you will still find Mrs. Bistany working hard and doing everything she can for the company she loves very deeply. Watching her made me realize that she isn’t just doing her job because it is required but, because she enjoys every moment. Even when times are hard she realizes that there is the bigger purpose that is designated for the children our company aims to serves and that is the greatest fulfillment to her. Her job isn’t just a duty it is an act that she does from not only her mind but, her heart as well.

Showcase Portfolio

Hello all I hope that everyone can take a minute and check out my online Portfolio.

Here is the Website to access the Portfolio:

http://racheldepietroportfolio.weebly.com/

Sincerely,
Rachel DePietro

Where the Future Lies

The future, the future is a scary thing to think about when all you have been thinking about is getting done with school and walking away with your Bachelors. I feel that all I have ever known is school; I have experienced life through the pages of texts books. Please don’t misconstrue what I am saying I love to learn, if I could I would have a degree in Art, Music, Writing, Theater, ASL, Culinary Arts, and the list goes on. I love to learn, I love to feel like a Jack of All Trades. But, I have worked so hard on school worrying about grades and GPAs, that I feel that my passions have gone from, a passion to a forced expedition. I stopped writing for me and did it so I would get the best grade. The future for me has always been the next step in school and now that the end is in sight I feel like life is in slow motion and I am stuck in quick sand. I can’t go back, but I don’t know how to go forward. It sounds silly I know, but I have always been a little dramatic (which works because my AA is in theater). I think before I decide my future I want to experience everything that I saw others experience in the books I read. I want to know I can live the true life I want. No Regrets is the one thing I promised my Grandfather before he passed and that is a promise I plan to keep.

I went to work for Future for Kids because it was something out of my element. I am the creative free thinker who would love to be up all night and sleep all day. I swore I would never work in an office with cubicles, but when I got to Future for Kids I realized that it wasn’t about the office. No it was about the work we are doing for the kids, and I can gladly be up during the day in an office building know that I am doing something that changes lives. Today I got to meet some of those kids and I feel like after one day they have my heart. To see kids having fun, smiles showing in their eyes, it was the most gratifying experience to realize that I am a part of putting that smile in their hearts. It sounds funny, but the greatest thing I hope to accomplish is to spread true smiles and joy. I grew up the odd one out my whole life, all I ever wanted was to feel like I mattered, and when I was with those kids today I felt like finally I was doing something that truly mattered.

When people ask me what I want to do with my future I pause, not because I don’t fully know what I want to do, but because I see so many things I wish I could do I just don’t know how to get there yet. I tell people when they ask me that question two things, I tell them what I would want if life was a perfect world and what I hope to do with the life I have in front of me. My perfect world is a big idea that maybe I will never achieve, but when I stop dreaming is the day I will turn my world upside down just to find away to dream again. Dreams give you goals, goals give you hope, and hope fuels the passion in your soul. Everyone has a dream and it’s never too big as long as it’s what you want. Learn from your past, enjoy the present, and have faith in the future. Never regret where you have been it’s what made you who you are and that is the greatest thing in the world.

I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know that I am enjoying the here and now. I am glad I chose to work at Future for Kids I think this will be a great experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Always remember there are no mistakes only lessons to be learned.

Lessons Learned

Of course in school we learn theories upon theories, in communication I learn about Social Exchange Theory, Social Penetration Theory, Communication Accommodation Theory, and so on. Each time you learned a new theory it sometimes would feel like your world was shifted up on end, everything you thought you knew you didn’t and you saw things that you never noticed before some good some bad. With the Communication Accommodation Theory you learn that as much as we think we are studying what a speaker is talking about he or she is actually studying us and then from what they notice about their audience changes how and what they deliver in their speech. Some of the things you begin to notice are amazing and give you a whole new view point about life that you never thought possible. Other times it can make reality and life seem harsh, you begin to notice that people are not who they seem and you start to wonder if anyone really is. Then you turn inward and look at yourself and question everything about you that you have ever known, questioning whether you are truly the person you want to be or not. In all reality it’s a trip, exciting, dangerous, and the most earth moving experience that no matter what, you can’t find a reason to regret the steps you took to get there and the understanding that came along with it.

Ok so I am getting a little intense here, what I am trying to say is sometimes it’s not about what the Theories are, it’s about the lessons we learn from them. And do you want to know something funny, I don’t think it was until this exact moment that I even understood that. Every time someone tried to get me to explain a concept or an idea I learned from school and my focuses, I always thought they had to be something like Social Penetration Theory. Something that was scholastic and importantly earth shattering. But, you know what is doesn’t, I think from my focuses the 4 greatest things I learned are so simple, but you have to look passed what all those Doctoral Textbooks tell you and learn from what you experience with the knowledge they gave you.

From communication I can say that I learned the ability to see from everyone’s point of view, so essentially Team Work. Also I learned that the ability to communicate and communicate well will be your greatest weapon. In Creative Writing I gain the ability to Pay Attention to Details, no matter how small or unimportant they seem, there is something that can be accomplished from the smallest thread of an idea. It also gave me the ability to Think On My Feet, life is always moving, it isn’t going to stop just because you need 5 minutes to get your head on straight. You have to have confidence in yourself and in your abilities to think and be one step ahead of the game.

At Future for Kids I am now ending my third week, so far every day I use all of those concepts on multiple occasions. We always have to be one step ahead, being a nonprofit company we have to be on our game to get attention and keep the company funded and keep the mission alive. When you do a project you may be the one figuring out what needs to be done and how, but you always have to work with others and have them look over your work. Even our Executive Director has use review her work that she is doing such as grants and so on. You can’t be a lone wolf in a company no matter how much you think you should be. Everything we do has to draw attention to those who are willing to help this company and its cause, you have to be creative and think about what is personal and eye catching. The biggest thing is communication, in a company comprised of two head people, three interns and two other part time staff. You a have to know how to communicate, because the Founder and the Executive Director aren’t always going to be there. You will be holding down the fort, talking to investors and board members, companies giving us grants and so on. The ability to think on your feet, communicate well, pay attention to everything going on around you, and remembering that there is no I in team are the greatest assets I could have ever hoped for. I am grateful for the experience that have given me the tools to drive head first into every situation thrown my way. This is what learning is all about, in ten years it’s not going to matter what your grade was in you COM300 class. What is going to matter is the lesson you took from it.

Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary in the Nonprofit World

Multidisciplinary vs. Interdisciplinary which fits the nonprofit world more? Interdisciplinary of course is the ability to take the teachings from multiple subjects and combining them to create a greater understanding from a multi dimensional outlook. Multidisciplinary is the idea that you can have multiple fields of study, but one doesn’t connect with the other they are their own separate pieces that don’t change or grow from the knowledge of another field. In this day and age it would seem too presumptuous to say that there is a true multidisciplinary field. When studying at university maybe, but outside of school and even in school the bases of understanding is learning what different ways of looking at things can teach you. To be a nurse let’s say you have to be able to use math, science, even communicational skill to be a successful nurse. To be a grade school teacher you have to know math, science, art, writing, reading, and so on. Every field helps to move and expand others in one form or another. Life whether how simple, small, or even insignificant as some might think, works in an interdisciplinary fashion, don’t we tell children when they don’t understand something or someone to either walk a mile in that persons shoes or look at things from a different light. To be and live is to be interdisciplinary.

At Future for Kids it seems at first that have one goal one purpose and that is all they want to strive for. As you look deep into their inner workings and the details of the company you see that they are working from multiple angles to create the best outcome for their most sought after goal. Future for Kids is a nonprofit charity for Children, but they also are about sports and teaching the children about healthy life styles. They don’t just raise money they become a part of children’s lives, they hold charity events yes, but they also have camps for the kids once weekly after school programs, and so on. So far I have been working on the camps and the charity events. I have been in charge of setting up media coverage for the events. Getting the food and beverages together for the event and taking care of the registration for the events. When you work in a small, but passionate team you take on the roles of all different types of people. You are the media coordinator, you are the assistant, you are the head buyer, and so on. Each inter will have specific duties based on what their educational background is, such as I am communication and creative writing, so I have been in charge of the newsletters and getting the word out there about upcoming events and projects. As well as being in charge of the media coverage and the promotion of a charity haunted house that we are having in the fall. You being your own unique view point to the company and they want multiple viewpoints showing them what is working for the company and what needs a little spicing up. From day one they tell you that there is basic nonprofit company ideas that they want you to learn, but after that they want you to develop your talents in the best way to help the company, so they can be a well rounded and diverse system.

Insight Into My Life

Ciao Everyone! It is nice to meet you all, My name is Rachel Marie-Elizabeth DePietro, but you can all just call me Rachel. This is the first real time I have blogged. I tried to use one of those livejournals when I was in high school, but that is about it. So I hope that I can get into the swing of this.

Now let’s see, I am 22 years old, I just turned 22 on June 5th it was a wonderful birthday that I got to send with my friends and family. I am in my 5th year of school, so I hues that makes me a Super Senior. Though, this summer is my last semester of school, yep that’s right I graduate in August. I am excited . . . and in all truth I am scared as all get out. As the time of graduation draws near I am approached with the question of “What are you going to do when you are done?” If I were to answer truthfully after I recover from that “Dear in the Headlights” moment, I reply to them that I really don t know what I want to do and in all honesty what 20 year person does, am I right? One thing I do know is I am on the right path to finding what I want to do thanks to the BIS program. Thanks to this field of study I have faith that my dreams and passion can be combined with real work experience and bless me with a job I will love.

It is so great that we are all BIS students, one reason being you don’t get that confused puppy look that most get when you say you are a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies major. So since we can side step the explanation of what a BIS major is I am just going to jump into what my focuses are. They are Creative Writing and Communication. The reason I chose Creative Writing and Communication comes from the fact that at one point I had four Majors, those being Creative Writing, Theater, Communications, and Studio Art. I started by getting my AA Degree in Theater and Creative Writing. Thanks to GCC I fell in love with writing it became so much more to me than I had ever imagined it being. So I went off to UofA in the hopes of getting my Bachelor’s Degree in Theater and Creative Writing. So, something happened along the way and I ending up dropping Theater keeping Creative Writing and then adding Studio Art. It seems like a crazy jump yeah? Well to me it was so perfect. I took a communication class at GCC I loved it I want to learn more, but it wasn’t as important as writing was to me. Thus I was only going to have it as a minor, but after taking one more class in Commutations I was hooked and want to dive head first into the study of communication. Once I finally made it to ASU I knew what I want to do and that is how I got studying Creative Writing and Communications.

How these two focuses Creative Writing and Communication descried my personality is a hard and easy question at the same time. First let’s start with Communications, for what I have been told I was always a vocal child, even when I was a baby, I started talking when I was 6 months old. Though if you know me in person you would say just like my family does, that being, I started talking early and apparently those first 6 months is the only time my parents got any peace and quiet, because from then on I never stopped talking (seriously I even sleep talk, crazy right). Also I have always wondered about words, where they come from who decided that an orange was an orange? I think that was also a leeway into writing, because no matter what if it is fiction or truth there is a story to be told about everything. I loved to read I have to read every day or my poor little brain gets anxious. I think I love thinking up stories as much as I love reading them. I can’t even get tattoos without them having a story behind them.

Onto my Applied Studies, I am very thankful to be working at a Non-Profit Organization called Future for Kids. We are an after school program for at risk children. Our home base is in Scottsdale, but our after school programs are all around the valley. I am hoping to come away for this experience with the ability to understand board room procedures and writing grant proposals. Those are the surface facts that I hope to understand, but deeper I want to know how team work and hope help propel a nonprofit company. Also I think that what drew me to this place was the ability to make a difference in a child’s life, I want so much to inspire kids the way my teachers inspired. I am blessed with chance to be able to teach the kids the art of storytelling, I was so excited when I found that out I thought of all the teachers from my past and remember what they showed me to be an art, a passion, and beauty.

So far I have been able to contribute to Future for Kids by being a coordinator for one charity event and on sports event for the children. I have been in control of media coverage for a Charity Haunted House that is holding a preview night in June, but will be in full swing in the fall. Then on June 12th we are hold a free sports camp for kids ages 8 to 14. I have been in control of receiving and contacting kids who are going to be attending the camp. It has been amazing realizing how many kids are so excited to attend and be a part of this exciting experience. Also many of the sports affiliate associated with camp are from ASU, we even are having a visit from Sparky. Lastly I am in charge of the companies Newsletter and Website. I am so excited to be able to have this chance to work with my writing skills and use it to help our company gain more notice and more supporters.

In all truth the most fighten thought is that I don’t know what I fuuly want to do when I am done with school. I am not sure if I want to stay in nonprofit, but I do know that I want to write. I want to write everything I see and experience. Life is something beautiful and every moment is something that is worth living and seeing. So the ability to share experience with the world is very important to me and the ability to communication those stories is just as important.

I am excited, scared and, looking forward to what the future holds. We may not always know what the future holds, but as long as you learn from the past, enjoy the present, and hope for the future then you will have the strength to face anything that life has to throw at you. I am so excited that we have been offered the chance to look at life through and interdisciplinary aspect. It gives us a whole new way to experience life. I want to say good luck to everyone at their applied studies site and I hope everyone enjoys what it has to teach them.