2017 CIIP Program Book 2017 CIIP Program Book | Page 7

Community Partner: Baltimore Corps Intern: Victoria Li Site Supervisor: Liz Gomez What is Baltimore Corps? Baltimore Corps recruits talented, mission-driven professionals for full-time fellowships in which they work with Visionary Cause Leaders across the city to scale the impact of leading social change initiatives. "Baltimore Corps is an organization that connects talent with opportunity to increase equity in Baltimore. First and foremost, Baltimore Corps is a capacity-building organization, which means that most of my work was done to ensure that problem solvers in Baltimore have the resources and assistance to improve the city. Specifically, my supervisor, Liz Gomez, is the Director of Operations & Systems at Baltimore Corps, and by working with her I’ve come to appreciate the importance of building the infrastructure of a rapidly growing organization to ensure its future growth. Over the course of the summer I worked extensively with her team to constantly revise the systems, policies and internal procedures in place within the organization to ensure that Baltimore Corps’ operations run smoothly. From participating in Baltimore Corps’ strategic planning meetings and gauging the future direction of Baltimore Corps, to helping Elevation Awardees hone their project pitches before their Awards Showcase, to working with Strong City Baltimore and delving into a complex fiscal sponsorship, I have learned so much about an effective nonprofit, the issues that face Baltimore, and about myself. Baltimore Corps was undoubtedly a magical place that pushed me to be my best self every single day. I was able to wake up every day eager to go to work because every single Baltimore Corps employee believed in the vision, mission and goals of Baltimore Corps. I witnes sed the at times difficult collaboration between talented people with diverse, learning and working styles and backgrounds. Ultimately, the most valuable lesson from my summer at Baltimore Corps was the incredible humility of every single person around me, and their belief that what they are doing fits into a larger picture that will push the needle to change Baltimore for the better. In Baltimore Corps I had found a company of peers who are dissatisfied with the status quo, and who are fighting to enable others to fight for their own battles in the city they love." -Victoria • • • Assisted with Baltimore Corps’ relationship with Strong City Baltimore by attending weekly check- in’s with the Strong City person of contact, filing invoices, managing expenses, placing orders and creating an FAQ page for Microix. Helped design and implement a one-week Baltimore and equity-based summer program curriculum for high school student leaders in Chestertown, Maryland. Attended and participated in all staff meetings and departmental level meetings where the strategic objectives and tasks for the next 90 days were being determined. 7