MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
TREU-MART FELLOW FEATURE
Annemarie Grassi, Cohort 1 Fellow and CNM Candidate
The following is an interview with a fellow from cohort one of the Treu-Mart Youth Development Fellowship Program. The fellowship is a cooperative venture of the Treu-Mart Fund (a supporting organization of the Cleveland Foundation and the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland) and the Mandel Center. The Fellowship Program is a nine-month experience for youth-serving professionals that both teaches and embodies the resiliency model of youth development - an asset-based paradigm for working with middle-school-age youth. This experience includes coaching, education, and peer support and reinforcement.
Q: What did you gain from the fellowship experience?
A: The fellowship was a confirmation of the importance of seeing youth as an asset and strength in our society rather than a hindrance. The fellowship helped strengthen my skills and understanding of working with youth and provided me with tools to incorporate these skills in the various aspects of our organization. In addition, the fellowship provided me with opportunities to develop relationships with other organizations that service youth and provided for future collaborative relationships.
Q: How has this experience affected the person you are today or the way you do your work?
A: I feel as if I finally have the research to back up the method. I am better able to incorporate resilience focused programming and training, and am more attentive to my own interactions with my staff, board of directors, and the students. I also find that I often use the concepts of resiliency in dealing with conflicts and challenges in my own personal life. It has helped me to see things in a new way. Most importantly, I am clearer in my thinking and in my attitude toward the strengths and gifts that youth have to offer, even in the most challenging situations.
Q: What interests do you have and how do they relate to your work and education experiences?
A: I truly believe in the revitalization of Cleveland and believe that much of this change starts with our youth. I have a real interest in our adolescent population and how they are able to contribute to our community. They have amazing talents and the ability to create change without fear of limitations. I believe it is our responsibility to provide them with the tools and support necessary to create change. My interest is in empowering them to make changes today, tomorrow, and as adults in the future.
Q: You also recently enrolled as a part-time Certificate in Nonprofit Management student at the Mandel Center. What made you decide to earn a certificate from the Mandel Center and how do you hope your education in Nonprofit Management will help you in the future?
A: I spent a great deal of time going back and forth on enrolling in the Mandel Center program. The thought of pursuing another degree was overwhelming at times, especially the thought of adding to my already large pot of graduate loans. However, I knew I wanted to create change in our community, and I needed the foundation to build upon. The Mandel Center has provided me with that foundation, a network of resources, and mentoring relationships that support my continuing growth in the nonprofit sector. My hope is to use these skills today in my role as a young leader of a nonprofit and to help me grow in future leadership positions around the Cleveland community. I have big dreams of creating change in this community and believe that this foundation will help me to reach those dreams.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about yourself that you think is interesting?
A: Let's see... I am a native Clevelander, went to college at Ohio University and finished my master's in Philly at University of Pennsylvania, and then moved back to Cleveland. I bought my first house in October (right when I started back in school). I absolutely love it, but hate having to rake the leaves! I love to run and swim (I am running the Chicago marathon this year)! I love to cook travel, and watch movies. Oh, and I never miss happy hour with my friends!
Q: What message would you like to send along to future Treu-Mart Fellows?
A: Embrace this opportunity! It is easy to get stuck in the trenches and become frustrated with the daily challenges of working in a nonprofit setting. Take a step back and see the challenges from a bigger picture. It only takes one person to start change in an environment. If you believe you can change yourself then you can change the world!