Valuable Lessons from my Internship at the Social Centers

Written by Olivia Marnell | Spring ‘21 Intern

For the past three months, I have been an intern with the East Boston Social Centers, and in just that short period alone have had the opportunity to see first-hand the greatness of community play out here in East Boston. As somebody born and raised in New Jersey, who now attends school in New Hampshire, I had never been to Boston prior to this spring, let alone gotten to know any of the smaller communities within it. 
And so, when my mentor, Cerlyn, first asked me what I was looking to get out of an internship with the Social Centers, I remember telling her that I just wanted to “see people.” Whatever that meant, I just wanted to see people, hear people, try to meet them where they are to learn about them. And that’s indeed what I tried to do. 

At the center of my time here was the ultimate opportunity to learn about the East Boston community. I talked to people. I learned from people. And even though COVID-19 prevented me from literally seeing people, I got to see people for who they were. I interviewed individuals and families—some in high school, some long-retired, some active participants, some passive—each of them with a unique story to tell, and something worthy to share. 

To take a glimpse at one of these interviews, please take this opportunity to read an interview I conducted with Lisa Melara, a committed & inspiring Parent Partner from East Boston Family Engagement Network.

The learning experience is best facilitated with an open mind and a compassionate spirit. In my time here I was a blank slate on which people wrote their stories, and from their stories I drew valuable lessons, a few of which I would like to share with you below:

1. Boston is small, and East Boston is smaller.

They say familiarity breeds content, and I truly believe that Boston, and East Boston specifically, is a perfect example of that. Considering my only experience with city life is day trips to New York City throughout my childhood, it came as a surprise to me just how small Boston seems, and especially how small East Boston is. This, I have found, makes for a closeness like no other, and highlights the need for places like the Social Centers and other community-oriented facilities. People know each other, and they care about each other, and only when we learn to rely on those closest to us will we truly thrive.

2. There are good people all around you.

Admittedly I came into my position here with little to no experience with non-profits. But after taking the time to talk to each of the program directors, it became clear that there are a lot more people out there who are willing to help others than I thought. The course of this past year may have made it easy to fall into a mindset of uncertainty and distrust, but learning about the type of work done at the Social Centers and the kinds of wonderful people who keep it running has re-kindled a certain spirit in me. To see so many people willing to do honest work, simply for the sake of helping others when they may need it most was refreshing, a reminder of the good in the world. This is a feeling I would like everyone to carry with them.

3. Joy is everywhere.

In conducting my interviews with community stakeholders, I found more joy in their words than I could have expected. Each conversation was compounded by stories of happiness that have grown out of East Boston—from teenagers who just want to do what they can to make other people happy, to mothers happy to have a place that they can rely on for the children’s care, to retirees who have lived in and loved East Boston for all their lives. Even staff members at the Social Centers share the joy that their own children bring to them, and in turn spread that joy to other families. We know, though, that no one is without struggle, but even in reflecting on stories of sadness I felt a tangible strength that comes with perseverance. There is definitely joy all around you, you just have to look for it!

As my time at the Social Centers draws to a close, I encourage everyone reading to try to see these people, to make it a point to show interest in people, and to learn to measure the greatness of the East Boston community not by its size, but by the compassionate actions of its members.