This summer I was given the opportunity to intern for Hope Women’s Centers. Prior to the internship I wasn’t really sure what kind of tasks I would be performing, but I was ignorantly confident that I knew what kind of non-profit Hope Women’s Centers was and what they desire to accomplish. Oh boy, was I off! Now, don’t get me wrong, my perception of Hope wasn’t necessarily completely incorrect. It was, however, pretty minuscule in comparison to what Hope actually accomplishes. Through my internship over the past two and half months I have learned just a few of the many complicated and difficult tasks that go into running a successful non-profit.
By watching fellow employees, I have observed what Hope Women’s Centers is really all about.
Hope Women’s Centers always puts the client first
I was first confronted with this very important fundamental value when I was given the opportunity to sit in on a pregnancy test appointment. The woman was pregnant with her third child and was just about to graduate from college. Although she was adamant about having the baby, anyone could see that she was worried about what lay ahead of her. It was at this moment that the client advocate put the guided questionnaire sheet down and spoke with the young woman about her major, her hopes, her aspirations and her other children.
Hope Women’s Centers values professionalism
As many of you have seen, this summer we have had the great opportunity to upgrade and redo our websites. The amount of excruciatingly tedious work that goes into a project like this is awe inspiring. Our Director of Marketing exemplified Christ in the way she handled the many bumps in the difficult process of such an endeavor. The product speaks for itself. Both of our websites (donors & volunteers and patients) are user friendly, full of useful information and aesthetically pleasing.
Hope Women’s Centers listens to the needs of its clients
Over the past few weeks my fellow employees and I received multiple calls from mothers each week in need of car seats. Hope does not typically offer our clients material goods due to space issues within our medical centers. The following week at staff meeting the President and CEO proposed a tentative solution to the staff of how to provide women with the car seats they needed. Through further discussion and bouncing off of ideas the staff collectively found an efficient solution to the evident need.
Hope Women’s Centers is a family
As an outsider myself, just two and half months ago, I especially love this value of Hope. From the very first staff meeting I attended the employees welcomed me with open arms. They asked about my aspirations, the knowledge I hoped to gain from the internship, my family and everything in between. When I visited the centers the staff patiently and effectively showed me the different day-to-day operations. This family feel also plays out in how Hope treats its clients. Every new woman that walks through Hope’s doors is welcomed with a handshake and most of the time leaves with a hug.
So, why am I telling you all of this? Through this short explanation of Hope Women’s Centers, I hope to persuade you to give or volunteer and become part of the Hope family and the values we stand for. I guarantee it will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced.
– Victoria, 2016 Hope Women’s Centers Intern
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