Divya: I can’t believe it’s already the middle of my QuEST Fellowship! Time has flown by so quickly, which is truly a testament to how much learning and growing I’ve been doing during the last few months. I feel really grateful to get to live with five amazing human beings who are continually teaching me what it means to be in a community, and I am also constantly learning new things through my placement at the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund. The last few months at my job, I’ve been able to wear a variety of different hats, not only as my official title as Voter Engagement Organizer, but also as an organizer for the Resident Action Project — a statewide network in Washington led by people who have experienced housing injustice. I’ve gotten to canvass for amazing state legislative candidates (shout-out to newly elected Manka Dhingra!), sit in on committee hearings at the state capital, learn about local politics, come up with mobilization strategies, and (as if that wasn’t enough) take part in really cool political actions with the most dedicated, passionate group of people I have ever met. For example, just last week, a group of us went to Olympia in bright yellow hard hats and gave out small shovels to all of the lawmakers in an effort to illustrate the need to pass the capital budget and fund “shovel-ready” affordable housing projects. (Photo above.) It was a hoot, and it certainly got the lawmakers talking! It’s work like this that makes me want to continue on in the fight for housing justice and social change.
Lara: My time volunteering as a QuEST Fellow at 21 Progress has been an exciting experience. In my first week, I wrote an article about immigration policy and our organization’s work with undocumented folks that was published in the International Examiner. In addition to writing blog posts, press releases, and articles related to news affecting our community, I manage 21 Progress’s social media accounts and website. Through this role, I have run two fundraising campaigns, which allowed me to direct and edit videos, create mass emails, and connect with donors. I also relaunched our monthly Leadership Newsletter, a process that involves transforming stories, resources, and opportunities in the community into a fun and informative email for young folks. I’m currently leading our summer internship recruitment, conducting outreach at career fairs and in college classrooms as well as creating flyers and digital ads to share with partner organizations. Though the work is fast-paced and challenging, it’s really rewarding to form meaningful relationships with community members, share impactful stories, and learn and grow in a supportive and diverse office.
Outside of work, I’ve really enjoyed exploring Seattle. Some of my favorite spots include Gasworks Park, the Fremont Sunday Market, Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint, the Ravenna P-Patch, Eastlake, and the University District YMCA. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the other QuEST Fellows and engage in thoughtful and intentional conversations. I’ve especially appreciated learning more about what it means to be in community, strengthening my listening, communication, problem solving, and even cooking skills. I’m looking forward to the remainder of the program to continue discovering new interests and adventures and building a thriving community with my cohort.
Toetie: The first half of my QuEST year has flown by. As the VAWA Intake Coordinator at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, I have had the amazing opportunity to work directly with survivors of violence and trafficking. Through my interviews I help screen them for possible immigration relief and support them in finding other needed services. My main job is to listen to their stories and assist them in gathering all the needed documents before an attorney can represent them. My days are filled with responding to clients questions on the phone, working to refer clients to other social services, especially domestic violence agencies, and conducting detailed interviews. Working with survivors of violence requires active listening skills and empathy. It has been a challenging but rewarding and growing experience. In my free time I have loved exploring Seattle and the surrounding areas. I enjoy spending time in Seattle’s green parks and the near the water. I spend time cooking delicious meals with my housemates (and also now my friends!) and going to kickboxing classes!
Maggie: Halfway through the year and all I have to show for it are some great boundary-setting skills, a new understanding of how to communicate in community, ten new recipes I can cook, four plant babies, and some very mud-covered hiking boots. I knew REACH was the right organization for me when I was with our Outreach team climbing through chain-link fences to meet with clients within my first two weeks. Working on the Groups Program has let me exercise all sorts of party-planning, field-trip chaperoning, arts & crafts leading, and group facilitating skills. Working on “the floor” (the front desk and client hang-out area) is basically customer service, and while many people have prejudices towards our clients, let me tell you — I had tougher customers back when I was working at Staples. Dipping my toe into case management and getting to know clients as they come in to the floor and to groups outings is by far my favorite part of this work! Learning clients’ stories, passions, senses of humor, and seeing their relationships to one another and to staff is a gift. Outside of my placement, I have a blast goofing off, cooking, and eating with the other QuESTies, learning to care for plants and not kill them, and exploring religious communities in the area. Seattle feels familiar, coming from another coastal city, but I’m always seeing new sides of it! I’m looking forward to the next six months and beginning to contemplate what’s next.
Mary: I’ve been working as the General Intake Coordinator at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. My job is a little different every day, depending on who comes into the office and what they need help with. Usually my day consists of answering phone calls, following up with clients, and working in-person with individuals to submit applications to immigration — like work permit renewals, TPS (temporary protected status), and green card renewals — or to do an intake to screen for any potential immigration relief. During an intake, I have at least an hour to sit down one-on-one and hear someone’s story, asking questions that will help to identify basis for relief under the current immigration laws. Intakes ask a lot of our clients, asking people to recount their experiences, often very personal and not frequently talked about, to a stranger like me, upon meeting. After, my supervisor Daniel and I review their case and provide a consultation, giving next steps or know-your-rights information. I have learned a lot from working in my unit, about the variety of immigration laws and policies that have been created and changed over time, but mostly how these policies affect people and how unjust the system and society we live in is. Working with my supervisor Daniel, the other interns/staff at NWIRP and clients has made me feel surrounded by kind and strong people, and I am very glad to be working here.
Keren: With half the QuEST year gone, it’s an interesting exercise to look back at what has happened in the first six months of moving to Seattle and starting my position at Friends of the Children. Getting out of New York City––away from the place itself and the familiarity of my established relationships on the east coast––has been instrumental for me as I move towards actualizing a sense of self that’s separate from my identity as a student. Working at Friends of the Children has only contributed to this goal, providing me an environment where I am comfortable, supported, and part of a mission that I believe in and can truly get behind. I feel extremely lucky to be spending the year learning about the inner workings of this growing nonprofit, assisting both the Programs and Advancement Teams as they work to enact generational change for underserved youth in Seattle through the power of consistent, meaningful mentorship. Overall, I am acclimating to the pace of full-time work while figuring out how to balance those responsibilities with exploring an unfamiliar place and fostering new relationships. Curious to see what’s ahead.
