Intern:   Mary Catherine Bertulfo
Sponsor:  Youth Education Services (Y.E.S.)

My primary objective is to create a transition toolkit which will be used to address topics with HIV infected youth that are necessary for a successful transition from pediatric care to adult services.  Topics include establishing a medication routine, learning how to make medical appointments, learning about dating violence, and keeping healthy habits and a positive attitude.  Through the Y.E.S. program, I was able to receive State certification training that will allow me to do testing for HIV and provide counseling for HIV infected youth. Issues concerning stigma, body image and access to services for marginalized people have been discussed in WGS courses I have taken.  The courses have also prepared me to work with many different people in the community including sex workers and transgendered individuals.  The internship provided me with the valuable opportunity to gain experience with working in the public health sector.  I plan to apply for a Masters of Public Health program after graduation.

Intern:   Taylor Riffey
Sponsor: The Haven of RCS

My primary duty is serving as a legal advocate at the Clearwater Justice Center helping victims through the injunction filing process.  When victims come in to file injunctions, it is often immediately after the act of violence has occurred, when they are at their most stressed. Aiding them in the process is incredibly important as they are often in shock or confused.  Without this help they may make a mistake, causing them not to receive their injunction and potentially lose that legal protection from their abuser. Through my time in the Women’s and Gender Studies courses, I have learned not only historical facts, but ways to deal with problems that we all experience every day.  I went into this internship program feeling well equipped with the knowledge to help me understand better the situations that I deal with.  After graduation, I hope to attend law school and one day represent men and women in a court setting against their abusers.  I know that this internship program is an incredibly valuable experience.  It has provided me with first-hand knowledge of how the justice system works and with the chance to see what I hope to doone day.

Intern: Alyssa Hughley
Sponsor:  The Sylvia Thomas Center for Adoptive and Foster Families      

My primary duties at my internship are to help with fundraising ideas, grant writing, and assisting in the parent and children support group. Women’s and Gender Studies courses haveimproved my writing skills and helped me with grant writing.  After taking the Issues in Feminism course last semester, I now have a more open-mind and am more empathetic about different situations people face even if I did not experience them directly. This is especially helpful when I sit in on the support group sessions. Interning with Sylvia Thomas Center has been a blessing because I now realize now how many of the adoptive and foster children are forgotten and not heard.  After being at this internship for a month, I am no longer naive about adoptive children and how many different trials these children can face.  I can say I have a big heart for the foster and adoptive children.  I want to be able to give back to them and work in an adoptive agency before I pursue my masters.

Check out the full post [that includes the full listing of interns] at http://wgs.usf.edu/internships/list/projects/.