For my LiA experience, I was working with a non-profit organization from my hometown who needed extra hands applying to grants. I did grant research, writing, and overall support for Lakeview Methodist Health Services. They are a nursing care facility taking care of both short and long term members. Along with that, they have a daycare facility that they run.
Because of the nature of grants, I was only able to get so much done in eight weeks. Most of the grants that Lakeview is eligible to apply for weren't open during the two months I had with them. One major grant that I helped them apply to was Minnesota’s PIPP (Performance-Based Incentive Payment Plan). Their goal with that funding is to hire a full-time trained movement and walking specialist. When elderly are moving and walking more, fall and injury rates tend to decrease, and that’s the goal they’re hoping to achieve.
Along with applying to grants, I also made a spreadsheet of grants that Lakeview can apply to in the future. They hadn’t ever built out a document or made a list of grants they were eligible for, and which fit their criteria for funding. So, I got the opportunity to build that out, with guidance from staff. It was a fun project to do, and I learned a lot. I also got to be the head of it, and make recommendations on what grants best suit their needs.
One big takeaway I had from this experience was the different ways that leadership presents itself in different situations. In the work that I was doing for Lakeview, leadership looked like putting together documents without having to be told to, helping out with odd tasks as needed, and sending emails to people who could help make our grant applications stronger. It looked like gathering information and taking the initiative. This made me realize that not all leadership is loud. Some leadership is, in fact, pretty quiet.
I also took it upon myself to connect with current members who are staying at Lakeview. A few of them I grew up around and have known all my life, and so catching up with them was a great joy. However, I also got to meet so many other lovely people. I got to talk to them about their interests, why they like Lakeview, what they would like to see change, etc. I also got to ask them about life and any advice they had for me as someone who’s about to enter the workforce and start my career. It was so cool to hear their perspectives and stories. It also made my work better for Lakeview. I integrated into their community, and so my work was informed by the conversations I had with members, and the stuff they wanted to see change. More than anything, I really love hearing stories from people, and so getting to have those conversations was a highlight of this summer for me.
I learned so much about leadership, how I lead, and how I want to lead in the future through this summer experience.