The Inside Scoop: Interning With Village Reach
First Ever Intern (It’s Pretty Cool to Say That)
Being Village Reach’s first-ever intern was an experience like no other. I didn’t just fill a role—I helped shape the future of the internship program. From day one, I was entrusted with real projects that directly supported Village Reach’s mission. One of the most exciting tasks I was given was planning and executing Think and Give Trivia Night to raise money for the U.S. Dreamer Search. The role of "first intern" wasn’t just about learning; it was about being a pioneer, contributor, and creator all at once. It was a responsibility I carried with pride.
Learning From the Best
Through my internship at Village Reach, I learned essential skills about professionalism, time management, and nonprofit organizational operations because of Chase, Katlyn, and Alyssa.
Katlyn helped me understand the heartbeat of Village Reach—our mission and day-to-day operations—and taught me how to use ClickUp, the project management software the team uses to stay organized and on track.
Alyssa taught me the ropes of social media and content creation, brand management, newsletter curation, and how to communicate effectively with different stakeholders.
Chase guided me through nonprofit fundraising, business partnership strategies, and the importance of thoughtful communication with Dreamers.
Through their mentorship, I developed professionally while gaining essential skills that will support my future career roles. Beyond that, I’ve experienced personal growth, becoming more confident in my ideas, more comfortable asking questions, and more resilient when facing challenges. Being surrounded by such supportive and knowledgeable mentors pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t expected, helping me become not just a better intern, but a more self-assured and capable person overall.
What the Internship Includes
If you're curious about what this internship actually looks like, here’s a quick overview of what I did during my 12-week internship:
Primary Focus:
Fundraising Project
Weekly Content Deliverables
Secondary Focus:
Social Media
Donor Relations
Team Support
Weekly Responsibilities:
Sync & Spark Team Meeting
Dreamer Meeting
Take Notes + Create Team Tasks in ClickUp
1 Social Media Post/Week (reviewed by Alyssa)
1 Newsletter/Month (reviewed by Alyssa)
Fundraising Project Planning
1 Weekly Add-On Based on Team Training
What I Learned:
How to use project management software (ClickUp)
How to create/run a fundraising campaign
Cultural diversity and everyday life beyond the U.S.
Nonprofit operations: finances, donor management, project management, team collaboration, content creation, newsletter curation, business partnerships, and more
Creating engaging content with hooks, trends, and brand integrity
Communicating with stakeholders across roles and cultures
How so little can go so far when used in the right way
Inspiring Moments
One of the most incredible experiences during my internship was participating in meetings with the Dreamers. Hearing their stories and the direct impact of Village Reach’s work in global communities was truly eye-opening. Being in those meetings felt humbling, as I realized just how much dedication and passion it takes to support these individuals on their journeys. It made me appreciate the importance of Village Reach’s mission and strengthened my resolve to continue working in the nonprofit sector, helping people across the globe.
Think and Give Trivia Night
As my internship came to an end, I wanted my final project to leave a lasting impact. That’s when I came up with the idea for Think and Give Trivia Night, a fun and meaningful event that would bring the community together while raising money for a great cause.
I spent a lot of time planning the event—from selecting trivia topics to partnering with Unify Coffee to create signature cocktails inspired by the countries where Village Reach works. The event was a huge success, with teams enjoying themselves, the room filled with positive energy, and reaching our $400 goal! It was the perfect way to close out my internship, knowing that I’d left a tangible impact on the organization.
Sips That Give Back
One of the highlights of the night was the specially crafted cocktail menu, which drew inspiration from ingredients found in Village Reach’s mission locations. Each drink offered a unique way for guests to “taste” the mission.
Even better? A portion of the proceeds from each drink went directly to the fundraiser, turning each toast into a meaningful contribution.
Celebrating Local, Rewarding the Winners
Of course, no trivia night is complete without prizes! The winning team didn’t just take home bragging rights—they also received a prize basket filled with local goodies. Inside, they found premium Kentucky bourbon, gourmet treats, and handcrafted items from small businesses around Lexington. It was a perfect way to showcase the local community while celebrating the winning team’s achievement.
A Community Comes Together
On April 18, Unify Coffee in Nicholasville, KY, was buzzing with energy as Village Reach hosted its Think and Give Trivia Night. From 7:00 to 8:30 PM, the café welcomed a crowd of enthusiastic guests who came ready for a fun night of trivia and fundraising in support of the U.S. Dreamer search.
Thanks to everyone’s support, we successfully raised $400 for this important initiative. Think and Give wasn’t just a trivia night—it was a celebration of what’s possible when curiosity, compassion, and community come together. Whether you answered every question or supported from afar, your presence helped push our mission forward.
Looking Ahead
In just a few weeks, I will graduate and move to Louisville to pursue a graduate degree in marketing. With my degree in Integrated Strategic Communication, I am stepping into a world of exciting possibilities. My education has prepared me to make a meaningful impact in areas like public relations, brand management, and visual content creation—particularly in mission-driven work.
My time at Village Reach has shown me that my future lies in the nonprofit sector, where I can make a real difference in people’s lives. Though I’m still figuring out exactly what that path looks like, I know that Village Reach’s guidance and mentorship have equipped me with the tools I need to succeed.
I’m beyond grateful for everything Village Reach has given me and am excited to see how the organization continues to grow and expand its impact on communities around the world.
