• During the first 100 hours of my internship at Healthy Chesapeake for ForKids, I have had a variety of experiences that allowed me to interact with the community, develop professional skills, and apply knowledge from my studies. One of my main responsibilities has been working at Birdsong Cafe, where I helped serve nutritious meals to children and families in the after-school program. I assisted with meal setup, served food, and ensured that families had a welcoming and organized dining experience. These interactions taught me how to communicate respectfully and effectively with children and adults from diverse backgrounds. I also learned the importance of teamwork and organization, as staff members coordinated to provide meals efficiently and maintain a positive environment.
  • Another major experience was participating in the 6th Annual Field Day. I helped prepare 200 meals for the event, including vegan sandwiches, turkey ciabatta, honey apple chicken pretzel sandwiches, and vegan salads. This event allowed me to see how large-scale food preparation is organized and executed. I gained experience managing tasks under time constraints and collaborating with staff to ensure all meals were ready and distributed smoothly. This event also reinforced the importance of nutrition education and community engagement in promoting healthy eating habits.
  • Additionally, I attended the Chesapeake Thrives Conference on September 30, which brought together local organizations, public health professionals, and community leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing health and wellness in Chesapeake. At the conference, I had the opportunity to network with representatives from other organizations, learn about community health initiatives, and gain insight into how partnerships can enhance public health programs. This experience helped me see the bigger picture of public health work and how collaboration and networking are essential skills for professionals in this field.

Overall, these experiences have given me a deeper understanding of public health in action and the daily operations of community-based programs. I have developed skills in communication, teamwork, event coordination, and educational material development. I also learned how to interact with community members in a professional and supportive manner.