As a first time blogger I'm a bit unsure of how to begin, but I am starting this blog in order to share my experiences working at Touching Miami with Love for this upcoming year. TML is an organization that works in Overtown, a community in Miami with an extremely high poverty rate. The organization's main focus is its after school program that serves children from Kindergarten through High School. This program works to provide the children and youth with a safe space in order to foster spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

I first started working at TML last year as an intern during my last semester of my senior year at college- during my time there I was first of all completely inspired by the staff who worked there. Each individual possessed a passion for their job that I had never encountered previously. Everyone on staff was invested in being part of a greater change within the Overtown community. The effort each staff member put into building personal relationships with not only the students at TML, but also the parents amazed me. The love that exists within the walls of TML is contagious and will leave you wanting more. I first heard of my position when my supervisor, Angel, sent me the link for an open position for a year long intern, or what was called, the "Urban Immersion Fellowship". She asked if I was interested- and I knew I loved interning at TML, but I wasn't sure if this is what I was meant to do. I had applied to countless jobs, internships, and fellowships- yet at every turn I seemed to be pointed back to the position at TML. From bad interview experiences, to work environments I didn't like I began to realize, what God intended for me was there all along. Once I came to this realization I finally applied and expressed my desire to continue working at TML...and this has brought be here today. 

I officially moved to Miami this past Saturday and started work on Monday- so this week has been a bit of a whirlwind. Additionally, one of our first big events of the year, "Back to Back" was this past Tuesday. Back to Back is TML's back to school program that provides each student that attends TML's after school program with a backpack (of their choice) and a bag of supplies that correlates with their grade level. The parents pay $5.00 for each child because this creates a sense of empowerment in the parents that they are able to give their child the school supplies that they bought for them. Also, this money they pay is used to then buy the supplies that the classrooms/schools request such as tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer, etc. These supplies are given to the schools on the parent's behalf so they can receive volunteer hours for these items.--The event was amazing. I feel grateful to have been a part of it- and to hopefully have assisted in the ways I was able. 

I still feel a bit lost and am still trying to discover my role and place at TML, but I am extremely hopeful for what this year holds. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to work along side such devoted and inspiring individuals and I feel excitement to gain experience in a field I am passionate about. I hope that I am able to contribute to the greater goals of TML and that my presence could have some positive impact- no matter how small. 

These are a couple pictures from the event "Back to Back"