Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless

Spring 2014 Hosp 4099

By: Angela Fletcher

Introduction

• My name is Angela Fletcher and I did my internship at the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. I am originally from The Bronx and I have my Associates Degree from Johnson & Wales in Baking & Pastry.

• I am currently a Senior and I am graduating in May with my Bachelors Degree in Food Service Management with a concentration in Event Management.

• I chose this internship because I felt I would gain a lot of experience and broaden my skills while learning more about events. This was my first internship in the Event Management field.

That’s Me!

Introduction continued

• I was an intern here at the Coalition along with 5 other JWU students. All of us in different fields, Criminal Justice, Marketing, Communications, SEE and Advertising. I felt with all of our vast differences, we complimented each other well.

• Some of the events I helped facilitate were the Coalitions Annual Luncheon, a weekly event at the State House called “Project Homeless Connect”, helped create flyers, stickers and sent PSA’s for two Vigils, and made decorations and helped coordinate The Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty Annual Poverty Conference.

• My supervisor was Karen Jefferys ( Associate Director), and she was an amazing mentor and someone I really enjoyed working with. Along with DeeDee who gave myself and fellow interns great tips on how to interview and build my resume. Karen was great at giving out work plans and keeping up to date with me and my fellow interns, she made me feel very welcome and a part of the team.

Organization Overview• Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless Mission Statement: The Rhode

Island Coalition for the Homeless is organized to promote and preserve the dignity and quality of life for men, women, and children by pursuing comprehensive and cooperative solutions to the problems of housing and homelessness. This is accomplished through advocacy, education, collaboration, technical assistance, and selected direct services to homeless individuals and families, coalition members, elected officials, and the community-at-large.

• Founded: Since its founding in 1988, the Coalition has represented its members and those who are homeless with regard to policy and advocacy issues on the local, the state and federal level.

• Vision: The Coalition envisions a State of Rhode Island to let any man, woman, or child be homeless.

• My Role: My role at the Coalition was to help with all events being held by both the Coalition for the Homeless as well as the Annual Conference for the Coalition to Reduce Poverty through Faith.

Personal Goals

• I wanted to discover more about events & the process.

• Discover more about being a leader & what it takes.

• How to facilitate my own meeting/ Facilitate my own meeting.

• To learn to chair my own meeting.

• Learn more about marketing and what it takes to get more people to come to events!

Project Review: RICH Annual LUncheon

• Create decorations & centerpieces for 20+ tables.

• Direct all guests to seats.

• Help in handing out name tags.

• Make calls to remind people that the event is coming up & to ask if they will be attending.

• The theme of the event was the future in which RICH closed there doors after ending chronic homelessness. It was held at the Crowne Plaza on March 24th.

• After facilitating the calls, we created the decorations and centerpieces working with tissue boxes, stickers and markers to create centerpieces.

• Once at the event we helped direct guests to their proper tables, and be recognized as big help to pulling off such a beautiful event and having so many quests attend.

• Although there was an issue with printing name tags the night before, we were able to pull off a wonderful lunch and create energy to keep fighting for the homeless.

RICH Annual Luncheon 2014

the sign I helped make

table center pieces

Program Book

Project Overview:Project homeless connect

• Organize and plan the food and providers.

• Set-up Bell Area of State House with tables, chairs and food.

• Create flyers and signs for weekly event.

• Serve food/drink to the constituents.

• Give handouts to any Representatives in the State House that day.

• Hold meetings every Friday to discuss the next Project Homeless Connect held on Wednesday.

Project Homeless Connect

Project Overview: RI Interfaith coalition conference to Reduce Poverty

• Sit in on Steering Committee Meetings.

• Create table decorations.

• Help direct participants to seating and workshops.

• Create signs for all workshop tables.

• Send multiple Constant Contacts and PSA’s for the event.

• Meet with Keynote Speaker: Sister Simone Campbell, Author and Founder of “Nuns on the Bus”.

Professional Skills

• Communication:

• I learned to really open up to and to get to know my fellow interns and colleagues.

• I learned that it’s okay to take a day off to get your head together and communicate about what could be going on in your personal life.

• I also realized to keep in contact with my supervisor and make sure she knows specifically what is and isn’t working for me.

Personal skills

• Teamwork:

• I learned to sometimes cut back on trying to take the lead, knowing that others can do tasks just as well as myself,and really listen to my co-workers and their ideas.

• Working with my fellow interns showed me that despite our different career paths we can still produce awesome work.

• I learned to put my trust in others in the work they can produce.

personal skills

• Creativity:

• I broadened my skills as far as putting different colors together and textures.

• I learned how to be budget friendly while still creating great centerpieces.

• I created PSA’s, Constant Contacts and Media Advisories. ( Something I had never done before)

Personal Reflection

• I took 3 courses within the event’s field: Weddings & Ceremonies, Event Management & Event Protocol.

• I believe that all three of these courses helped me have a basic, well-rounded understanding of many kinds of events. I think this helped me go into this internship with the knowledge that I understand and know how much goes into planning an event, along with understanding the different steps.

• At my internship site we had a weekly event called Project Homeless Connect, this was held at the State House. I realized after out first time going that taking a Protocol class was helpful because I needed to know how to address Senators and Representatives that were walking amongst the building. This also helped my skills when advocating to them about how important homelessness is in this state.

• I found that my internship only reinforced what I learned in the classroom and gave me a more personal experience. I loved worked at the Coalition and I hope to come back to them and help with any events!