Making the Most of Your SC4K Experience

This article was written by Cat Moruzzi, who is a former SC4K Summer Intern, the current SC4K Program Support Specialist, and medical student at The Ohio State University. 

In the summer of 2021, I began my journey with Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) as an intern through Summer on the Cuyahoga. Little did I know that I would still be working with the organization four years later – first as Program Manager from 2022 to 2023, and now as Program Support Specialist while attending medical school at The Ohio State University. SC4K became more than a place I worked; it became part of who I am, and they can’t seem to get rid of me!   

That first summer as an intern, I learned more than how to pack back to school requests and help run a fundraising campaign. I learned that what may seem like a small act of kindness, such as sorting, counting, and stocking shoes, clothes, and school supplies or distributing those items, can ripple into lasting change in a child’s life, and that aspect of the organization is what keeps me coming back.  

To all current and future SC4K interns: this is more than a resume builder. It’s a chance to witness what empathy in action looks like. You’re not just helping distribute shoes, clothes, and school supplies, stocking shelves, helping families shop, and responding to the endless stream of emails; you’re an invaluable aspect of our summer and back to school programming, and you will truly make a difference in the lives of the families we serve. You will find mentors here, teammates who believe in you, and a community that truly cares. 

 To conclude, as someone who started in your shoes (pun intended), here are a few tips to help you make the most of your internship: 

• Be intuitive, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you’re asking the questions to the right person.
  Trust your instincts, but remember you are here to learn. Asking questions shows you care about doing things the right way. If you find yourself spending too much time on a task, ask the person who gave you that task to clarify their expectations. Set up a meeting to discuss, and ALWAYS prepare for any meeting you set up by making a list of the questions or topics you want to discuss.  

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
  Everyone at SC4K wants to see you succeed. Whether it’s solving a challenge or understanding a new task, you’re not alone. Ask your fellow interns, ask staff, ask volunteers, ask Board and Associate Board members. We don’t want you to get overwhelmed and are more than happy to help when needed. 

• Work with each other and SC4K staff to make SC4K better over the course of the summer.
  Collaboration is key. The most meaningful improvements at SC4K come from shared efforts. If you have thoughts about improvements in programming, development campaigns, or research, share them with us! We value your input.  

Whether you’re here for a summer or for 4 years like me, your contributions matter. SC4K touches the lives of of everyone that encounters the organization in ways that last far beyond the time spent together. Thank you for working for SC4K this summer! We look forward to seeing you grow.