I chose Southtown to do my college internship because of an inspiring lecture given by Executive Director Marti Lee, in my Urban Politics course at UMKC. As she spoke about her involvement in parts of the city where I live, work and play, all I could think about was “how do I get involved?” At the end of the class I asked if Southtown offered internships and now here I am. I am a senior Urban Planning and Design student at the University of Missouri Kansas City and have previously interned with the City of Independence’s Community Development Department.
Southtown offers a great next step for me to see how the non-profit sector enacts change and handles its day to day operations. Much of my initial time at Southtown has been dedicated to the recently submitted Troost CID which is an exciting new step in the future of Troost Ave. I also participate in many meetings and events for Waldo, Brookside, and Southtown. I enjoy seeing the many dynamics of the citizens who make these CIDs and business associations a success.
Currently,I am collecting “goodies” from businesses in Southtown, Waldo, and Brookside for our “new neighbor bags.” Last but not least, I am helping to organize around the office, answering the occasional phone call, writing articles for the monthly newsletter, and assisting in any way possible.
My time here is proving to be quite a worthwhile experience and I hope to gain more contacts and a greater understanding of this “grassroots” type of organization. Many thanks to all the wonderful staff and members at Southtown, Waldo, and Brookside for letting me be a part of the team.