Shining a Light on Lorain County's Future Leaders: A National Intern Day Celebration and Day of Reflection and Impact
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) celebrated National Intern Day on July 25, 2024, by highlighting an inaugural program that put OFIC member campus students and Lorain County’s non-profits in the spotlight. Funded by The Nord Family Foundation, this initiative showcased five exceptional interns from Cedarville University, Baldwin Wallace University, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, and Heidelberg University. Their meaningful internships at El Centro, Downtown Main Street Lorain, and Lorain County Urban League demonstrated the powerful impact of this program, made possible through the generous support of The Nord Family Foundation.
For over 70 years, The Nord Family Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of OFIC, contributing more than $1.3 million in scholarships. Their commitment deepened last year with the launch of this groundbreaking internship program, opening doors for Lorain County students to gain invaluable experience with local non-profits.
This support underscores OFIC’s dedication to connecting students from its 32 member campuses with enriching internship and scholarship opportunities, profoundly enhancing their professional journeys and the communities they serve. National Intern Day was a heartfelt tribute to how these internships change lives, leaving lasting impacts for both the interns and the organizations that welcomed them.
A Day of Reflection, Learning, and Inspiration
The luncheon was a joyous and celebratory event where interns, supervisors, and supporters gathered to recognize the program’s success. It was a chance to applaud the interns' hard work and highlight the crucial contributions of the non-profits to the Lorain community.
Attendees were inspired by the interns' personal stories. One intern from El Centro shared their experience:
“Our supervisor was fantastic about involving us in the community, introducing us to staff, and encouraging our participation in regular meetings. The warmth and openness we encountered were incredible. Even one of the board members took us out to lunch to provide guidance and build connections.”
Another intern appreciated the flexibility of their role:
“This internship has helped me understand what I need in a workplace. The flexibility and supportive environment have shown me that a remote or partially remote position might be ideal for me in the future.”
The event also provided a heartwarming space to celebrate the interns' accomplishments and the significant impact of the non-profits. One intern reflected:
“Working with such a diverse group of people and seeing how they unite to help the community was incredibly eye-opening and encouraging.”
Beyond celebrating the interns' achievements, the event served as a valuable networking opportunity, aligning with OFIC’s core mission. It brought together students and Ohio professionals from various fields, creating connections that could open doors to future career opportunities. This gathering allowed interns to interact with industry leaders, explore potential career paths, and build relationships that extend beyond the internship experience.
Through these meaningful interactions, OFIC reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gap between education and employment, helping students leverage their experiences and networks as they advance in their professional journeys.
The interns took on vital roles that made a significant impact. They served as Fundraising Coordinators, developing strategies to enhance financial support for their organizations. As Community Outreach and Social Media Interns, they engaged with local communities and managed digital platforms to amplify their organizations’ missions. Their roles as Community Events and Development Interns involved organizing and executing events that fostered community engagement. The Civic Engagement Interns contributed to initiatives that promoted public involvement in local issues, while the Marketing Interns crafted compelling campaigns to boost visibility and support for their causes. These diverse roles provided the interns with valuable, hands-on experience and made meaningful contributions to their host organizations.
Looking Ahead
Max Schaefer, Executive Director of Main Street Lorain, captured the essence of the program’s impact:
“Our Summer Intern made a significant difference in a short time. Main Street Lorain has greatly benefited from this experience, thanks to The Nord Family Foundation and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.”
The event concluded with a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among interns and organizations. Supported by The Nord Family Foundation, this program continues to uplift students, offering them priceless opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute to their communities.
The Nord Family Foundation’s dedication to empowering students and supporting non-profits exemplifies how strategic philanthropy can drive meaningful change. As we look to the future, OFIC is excited to expand this program to other counties across Ohio, building more partnerships between students, non-profits, local businesses, and foundations. We invite you to join us in enhancing community engagement and supporting the professional growth of students statewide.
Contact us for more information on how you can get involved or support future internship programs and scholarships.