Farewell, Apprentices!
Today marks the last day of work for our 2009-2010 apprentices! After completing a year long contract with the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture, Amy VanBecelaere, Emilie Lewandowski, Kevin Zabel, Michelle Bess, Steve Broadwell, and Whitney Voss will be moving on to the next chapter in their lives.
2009-2010 Apprentices (Not Pictured: Amy Vanbecelaere)
The Urban Apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity we offer Chicago Center alumni that have recently graduated college. More than a job, it offers opportunities for learning and skill development in a supportive urban learning community.
The apprenticeship started in 1990 and grew out of the mutual interests of Chicago Center alums to prolong their contact with Chicago Center and the Center’s interest in strengthening its staff and program. It has exceeded expectations in both arenas and has become a great strength of Chicago Center.
Michelle Bess, LearnChicago! Coordinator reflects on her experience: “Being the LearnChicago! Coordinator has been the most phenomenal job! I have learned so much about the city, life, and most importantly myself. It’s not often that one can find a place of work that encourages you to grow and learn, pushes your boundaries, and inspires you to make a difference. The Center does such amazing work; it was an honor to be on staff.” Following her apprenticeship, Michelle will remain in Chicago working as the Assistant to the Director at the Chicago Posse Foundation, a leadership scholarship program for public high school students. Learn more at http://www.possefoundation.org/about-posse/
Steve Broadwell, Recruitment Coordinator plans to move back to Oberlin and spend time thinking about graduate school. Steve shares, “I’m proud of the infinitely talented students I’ve seen come through the Center this year, and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of their experiences.”
Marketing Coordinator Emilie Lewandowski says, “Working at the Chicago Center has been a really great experience for me. I have learned so much, and grown tremendously as a person. I have really enjoyed being a part of the Chicago Center staff and watching students grow as they complete our programs. It is wonderful to have been a part of that.” Emilie will begin the Master of Social Service Administration program at the University of Chicago in September.
Amy VanBecelaere, Housing Coordinator, is still living in Chicago, and attending graduate school at Columbia College Chicago where she will acquire her M.A. in Dance Movement Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Amy says, “The Chicago Center Apprenticeship inspired me to become a more articulate, cultured, well-informed individual. I am so grateful for the richness of experiences I have been graced with in the past year, and intend to use all the tools I have gained at my time there in life, in relation with others and undoubtedly in my graduate studies. Through the Chicago Center, I have not only discovered so much about cultures different than my own but have gained an enhanced understanding of my own culture as well.”
Administrative and Special Events Coordinator Whitney Voss says, “I want to say thank you to the Chicago Center for giving me the opportunity to work in the city and extend my time in Chicago for another year. This experience has taught me so much about the different communities and cultures throughout Chicago, and the injustices in our society. My time here has far surpassed my expectations, and I know that I have grown into a better person because of the Chicago Center! ” Whitney plans to travel home to Michigan and enjoy the rest of summer relaxing by the pool. She is looking forward to spending time with family and making plans to attend graduate school in the next year.
Kevin Zabel, Long Program Coordinator, is heading to Knoxville, Tennessee for an Experimental Psychology PhD. program at the University of Tennessee. He says, “My experiences with the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture, both as a student and as an apprentice, have provided me unique opportunities to hone invaluable work skill sets. Collectively, my experiences will forever affect the ways I think about not only my perceptions of others, but the ways in which others perceive me. In short, my experiences have forever impacted me. I am grateful for the many class resources, co-workers, and students I have had the opportunity to meet, engage with, and learn from along the way!”
Our apprentices have all worked really hard this year and contributed a great deal to the accomplishments of the Center. A new set of apprentices will join the Chicago Center during the upcoming week.
