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We would like to extend a sincere thanks to our summer interns. Learn about their experiences below.
Ki Ki, Human Services –
“As a Human Services intern at KOM, my primary responsibility was to assist clients during walk-in days, where we offer support without requiring prior appointments. On these days, I interacted directly with clients, providing interpretation services, addressing their immediate needs with staff, and helping them access the appropriate resources. I was also involved in conducting outreach activities within the community. This included participating in events like fairs to raise awareness about the various services and programs KOM offers.
My outreach efforts focused on informing community members about the resources available to them and how they can benefit. I distributed informational materials and answered any questions people had about our services. Through these interactions, I aim to build relationships and foster trust within the community. My goal is to ensure that everyone is aware of the support available and understands how to access it. Overall, my internship enabled me to contribute to the community by engaging directly with clients and promoting valuable resources.”
Chri Moo, Community Health –
“During the course of my internship, I worked on updating educational curricula for substance use prevention and diabetes awareness. I had the opportunity to co-present this information with Thara Ner Mu and Naw Hsa Hser. This experience significantly boosted my confidence in presenting and speaking to diverse audiences. Additionally, I assisted youth case managers with their summer youth CD program, which improved my ability to interact and communicate effectively with young people. It was a valuable experience learning from the case managers and understanding their approach to working with youth.
I am glad I chose to intern at KOM because my supervisor, Thara Ner Mu, provided me with numerous opportunities to work on various projects and with different people. His support for my ideas was invaluable, and he played a significant role in helping me feel more comfortable working within my Karen community and in boosting my confidence across diverse projects and interactions.”
Sarah Peterson, Communications –
Sarah Peterson chose KOM as she is passionate about aiding displaced individuals and families and building on the strengths inherent in refugee and immigrant communities. During her internship, she acquired experience in creating newsletters, managing social media, and promoting events and organizations. More importantly, she gained a greater understanding of the complex experiences of refugees and immigrants and God’s love for all people. This internship helped hone Sarah’s communication skills to prepare her for a career in refugee resettlement.
Paw Ta Mu La, Community Liaison and Interpreter –
Paw Ta Mu La chose to intern at KOM because her goals are to help Karen people and get to know more about the Organization. During her internship, she helped create a workshop for seniors, helped translate for Karen people who are non-English speaking, helped clients with reading and explained their mail to them. Paw Ta Mu assisted clients with making phone calls and filling out paper forms. She also applied to benefits for clients while providing them with access to resources and anything else they might need.
Challenges Paw Ta Mu encountered included making a phone call where the waiting line was especially long, then getting transferred to another line and having to speak with a rude receptionist. Paw Ta Mu overcame these challenges and realized that they also get plenty of calls and have impertinent customers at times. This kind of situation is common with both parties. This internship influenced Paw Ta Mu’s future by providing her with valuable experience, confidence and the ability to help people long-term.
Pa Mu Paw, Youth Program Intern –
“As an intern for the youth summer programs, it brings me inner peace to see how happy and enthusiastic the youth are. The youth love and put their time into helping one another grow and learn new things together. I see them learning new things every week and being willing to learn more. I am proud to see and experience this internship, it helps me want to do better and show what I can offer to the youth. I don’t have a big role here, I help with transportation and looking after the youth. I still have a lot to learn. As I was once a youth, now looking back this shows me a different point of view on how I want to better myself.
Pa Mu Paw is pictured above in the first photo with our youth staff at summer programming.
I am sad about how fast this internship has passed. I have so much more to learn and to better myself to be a good person and an inspiration for the youth. The youth have been amazing towards me and so kind. I cannot be more grateful for this opportunity as it has given me a different perspective on life. I have been looking forward to this day where I could get closer to my community again. This has been such a fun and new experience.”
