Why were you interested in being a Lead Forward Community Grants intern?
As a former recipient of the Lead Forward Community Grant, I was ecstatic to find out that there was an internship opportunity with LSN to work on the LFCG. I applied for this position to learn more about a nonprofit organization’s functions. As a Lead Forward Community Grants Intern, I hope to help Lilly Scholars around Indiana apply for the LFCG and assist them with the grant process.

What did the scholarship allow you to do that you otherwise wouldn’t have done?
The Lilly Scholarship allowed me to gain a level of financial freedom that only a few undergraduate students have access to. The scholarship has also enabled me to connect with other scholars around the state of Indiana who are passionate and excited to learn and give back to the Hoosier state.

What are you most proud of?
I am thankful for all the experiences I have had in my life so far. If I had to pick something to be proud of, it would be my interactions with community members and the events I have done within my communities. V.A.P.E Club and A Kid Again Adventures are two of my favorite community projects because of their impact on the community.

If you could do anything to help your community, what would it be?
If I could do something to help my community, it would be to provide help and support to people without housing. My goal is to help people from underserved backgrounds and provide medical support to them. Here in Bloomington, I want to work with people experiencing homelessness by providing them with access to resources that can help them get access to jobs and, eventually, a place to live.

What’s one community organization you’re proud to be a part of?

I am grateful to be a part of A Kid Again. As President of the Indiana University chapter of A Kid Again, I interact with some of the kindest, most energetic children I have ever met. I am thankful for the interactions I have had with the children and their parents and the joy that A Kid Again can bring to amazing families.

First posted 1/23/2024