• During the last 100 hours of my internship at Healthy Chesapeake with ForKids, my responsibilities shifted due to the Thanksgiving holiday schedule. Birdsong Café was closed from November 26 through November 30, which meant many families would not be able to stop by for meals during that period. Because of this, the staff prepared meals in advance for the residents to help them get through the long weekend. I assisted in preparing, packaging, and organizing these meals so families would still have access to nutritious food even while the café was closed.
  • This was a new experience for me because we had to think ahead and plan meals that were easy to store, easy to reheat, and still healthy. I helped pack items such as turkey sandwiches, fruit cups, vegetable sides, and small desserts. We also prepared larger containers of food for families with more children. I learned how important it is to plan for gaps in services, especially during holidays when families may be more vulnerable. One example was when a mother of three expressed relief that she did not have to worry about meals for the long weekend, telling us that the prepared food “took a huge load off her shoulders.” Hearing something like this helped me understand how impactful even small contributions can be.
  • In addition to meal preparation, I spent time creating new educational pamphlets for the Food Is Medicine program. Two topics I worked on were Nutrition in Pregnancy and Diabetes/Hypertension in Pregnancy. For the first pamphlet, I researched the importance of prenatal vitamins, iron-rich foods, hydration, and foods that support fetal development. I learned how to present the information in a clear and supportive way, especially for expecting mothers who may not be familiar with nutrition guidelines.
  • For the second pamphlet, I created materials about managing diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy. I included simple explanations about blood sugar, blood pressure, warning signs of complications, and meal suggestions that were affordable and easy to prepare. I also added a small sample meal plan to help families visualize what a healthy day of eating could look like. There was a time when I met with a resident who had recently been diagnosed with gestational hypertension. She mentioned that the pamphlet helped her understand what foods to avoid and what she could safely eat. This made me realize how educational materials can directly support someone’s health journey.
  • These activities helped strengthen my creativity, research ability, and communication skills. I also learned how to tailor educational materials to the needs of the community. Preparing meals for a holiday closure showed me the importance of planning and anticipating needs before they arise. Overall, this final period of my internship taught me the flexibility of community health work and the importance of continuous support for families, even when regular services are paused.