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| Danielle Robinette Class of 2015 |
With a full-time staff of only two women, La Casita Center serves hundreds of people each month in dozens of ways ranging from provisions of food and clothing to legal advocacy. With such a large mission, the small staff, 3 if we are to include myself at this point, are reliant upon the flexibility and willingness to help of every person that walks through the door.
During my time at La Casita Center, I expected to get some valuable language practice along with the opportunity to learn more about the non-profit sector and volunteerism. However, the list of things I have learned goes far beyond that. In the course of three months I learned: how to restring a weed-eater, how to remove and install plastic mats on stairs, how to strip paint, how to corral and occupy nine children under the age of 10 simultaneously, how to navigate the JCPS lunch number system, how to (or how not to) leave a useful voicemail message, how to delegate tasks, among other things.
Each day I spend at my internship is a growing experience. I learn about the resources available to the people of the Louisville community. I learn how to better serve others and myself. I have acquired any number of life skills that I never would have learned in a traditional office gig. I have become a Jill of All Trades.
However, the most valuable thing I learned at La Casita Center comes from the organization’s mission statement. “Somos un círculo” which means “we are a circle.” At La Casita the message is meant to bring each person that comes to the Center into a network and community of support. In this message and through La Casita I have found a family here in Old Louisville that is kind and supportive and willing to drop anything to help me in any way that they can.
“Somos un círculo.”
www.lacasitacenter.org
Danielle Robinette is a senior McConnell Scholar studying political science and spanish. She is from Fort Thomas, Ky.