Community Fellows Blog Posts

While I have only worked at the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) for a few short weeks, I have begun to scratch the surface of what it means to make a positive impact through my work. As the organization’s Learning and Member Engagement intern, there’s certainly a lot of responsibilities given to me. Updating the website, calendar, and looking at spreadsheets may not seem like glamorous work, but it’s imperative to keep the organization running smoothly.

Most nonprofits serve a specific purpose - for example: immigration rights, healthcare, and pro bono work - but SVCN is a nonprofit for other nonprofits. Our job is to make sure that other organizations can prosper and have the proper tools to succeed. COVID-19 has simultaneously made our jobs more interesting and difficult. There is a real sense of urgency every single day, and there is always more work to be done. At the moment, we are working to get PPE to different facilities. They, in turn, use the PPE to serve their constituents - often people who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

It’s a daunting and scary thought; the mere idea that so many people depend on you for help. However, the high stakes have led to rewarding work. I’ve witnessed firsthand how organizations collaborate towards a common goal. Whether it’s finding volunteers, or buying and distributing PPE, nonprofits work diligently and quickly to make sure that people are safe and secure during these trying times. A lot of us are able to maintain an optimistic attitude because we know that if we are able to make a positive impact on someone else’s life - no matter how small that impact may be - we have done our job correctly.

There’s a lot that I’ve learned from this program, and it really boils down to adaptability and understanding. For example, I know that this internship would have looked completely different just one year ago. When working through a crisis, there’s a lot of moving parts and unforeseen variables that can make matters painstakingly difficult. However, being able to work at SVCN has provided me with the opportunity to learn first-hand how to be a problem solver in high stakes situations. This program has opened my eyes in a variety of ways, but has left me grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in a constantly changing environment.