ReR at Dominion Energy's Diversity Scholarship Program Days
One week ago, ReEstablish Richmond’s executive director, Kate Ayers, spoke on a panel of community organizations as a part of the Diversity Scholarship Program Days at Dominion Energy. This event was held for summer interns at Dominion Energy who had both qualified to apply and earned the Diversity Scholarship by “demonstrating strong academic achievement and a commitment to diversity and inclusion”. One part of the scholarship was an “enrichment opportunity” where interns were given the task of planning community outreach projects in small groups. Kate’s role in this project, along with five other representatives from nonprofit organizations, was to discuss their experience serving their community based on the following questions:
What are the biggest misconceptions about community engagement and the work you do?
What has been the biggest challenge your organization has faced?
What has been your most rewarding experience in working with the community you serve?
Why is diversity important in developing empowering community programs?
What advice do you have for those seeking to be community change leaders?
Their answers helped the students navigate the sometimes challenging field of nonprofit work as they began to plan their local outreach endeavors. Afterward, the floor was opened up for the interns to ask Kate and the other panel members more specific questions about their previous work and future goals.
This event provided not only valuable information for the diverse group of students beginning to plan their own community programs, but also allowed the five organizations to reach an audience that could potentially support their current projects in the Richmond community in a variety of ways.
Learn more about Dominion Energy’s Diversity Scholarship Program: https://careers.dominionenergy.com/content/Diversity-Scholarship/?locale
Sadie Rogerson, Intern
Freeman High School 2020