A Day in the Life of an Alpha Intern

Let me share with you what I love about Alpha Women’s Center.

When you come to Alpha, you are surrounded by strong women who choose to care.  Alpha advocates for life – physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  They affectionately nurture the women, men, and children that walk through their doors.  By providing a listening ear, caring heart and a loving embrace to those who visit the Center, Alpha strives to positively impact the lives they touch everyday. 

My Master’s Degree required an internship experience that I was responsible for securing.  As I investigated the Grand Rapids area, I soon gravitated towards this Alpha Women’s Center.  Walking through the front doors, I was pleasantly surprised by their warm welcome and truly loving hearts.  Did I know then that I was agreeing to more than an internship – that I was really agreeing to a life changing experience . . . no.

Internships are experiences that are intended to be designed to gain practical experience, to contribute to the organization, and to grow professionally.  These things I expected and these things honestly happened.  I was prepared for that.  What I wasn’t prepared for was how I would come to love the organization and how much the organization would love me in return. 

My internship was showered with opportunities to apply what I was learning in the classroom to the nonprofit sector.  Fostering my professional development, the women at Alpha challenged me to reach beyond my self imposed boundaries.  Continually supporting me and believing in my capabilities I was able to support organizational efforts that I did not imagine being able to do upon my arrival such as assisting in fund development, mentoring women visiting the Center, and contributing to strategic planning sessions.  The true beauty of my experience was how the women at Alpha encouraged me to believe that I could do more and be more than what I originally thought was possible.

This is similar to how Alpha changes the lives of women needing their services.  They come with preconceived ideas of what they need from Alpha but they leave positively transformed in ways they never dreamed possible.  Alpha’s goal and mission is to positively impact the lives of those who seek their help by providing sustenance, positive perspective, and a bond that nourishes their lives.  Alpha diligently serves a real need in our community but can only continue to do so by having the support of volunteers and interns to help them on their journey to truly give voice to the voiceless.  I discovered that Alpha’s services are vitally linked to the support of volunteers and interns who choose to care.  They are not simply viewed as bodies that come and go in the building; instead they are embraced as indispensable members of an organization that is striving to be more and do more for those needing God’s love and compassion. 

Alpha’s need for willing and capable volunteers remains a constant in an ever changing environment.  The call for help is great and they need you . . . will you choose to care? 

Melissa Miller - Executive Intern Summer 2009