Interns Light Up CSM!

Summer interns: Marissa, Morgan and Nathan

CSM instituted a formal internship program this year, seeking mature college students to assist with the groups that come here to volunteer, learn about urban ministry, and grow in their areas of study. God has been faithful in sending amazing young adults our way, and they have brought so much more to the job than we first imagined. Marissa, Morgan, and Nathan light up the building with their enthusiasm, they move the train far down the tracks with their hard work, and they are a beautiful testimony to all the guests and volunteers they lead throughout each week. We would like to introduce our three summer interns to you.

Marissa Bruton is a 22 year old from Greenville, SC. She is a Clemson University student pursuing a degree in Parks Recreation and Tourism Management. After a Spring Break mission trip to CSM with the Navigators from Clemson, Marissa felt led to return as an intern for the summer. She plans on graduating in December. Marissa enjoys volleyball, swing dancing, gardening and hanging out with friends. Since she has been at CSM, she has helped supervise many different volunteer groups of all ages, facilitated Kids Across America registration and has been actively working in the gardens, among many other things. She is looking forward to learning more about how CSM, as a faith-based non-profit, functions within the broader community to affect positive change.

Morgan Rhodes, 22 years old, originally came to CSM as an intern during her spring semester this year, and decided to do a second internship this summer. She graduated in May from Samford University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology. She has been accepted into Samford's Masters of Social Work program, which will begin in fall. She is from Atoka, Tennessee just outside of Memphis. She was a key coordinator of our Mother's day program, helps with general administrative duties and works with our volunteers in many capacities. She is also involved in the social work aspect of our Housing Ministry and helps with special projects. Morgan says, "I am so excited for this internship, and I can't thank CSM enough for the opportunity!"

Nathan Walker is also 22 years old, was born and raised here in Birmingham, and is a recent graduate of Covenant College with a degree in Community Development. Nathan is passionate about grassroots development and came to CSM in part to find out in which area of community development he ultimately would enjoy working. He enjoys serving others, and is excited to get experience in the urban ministry sector of development during his time here. Nathan is working with the volunteer groups who are in town this summer. He is also excited about learning and seeing more of his hometown through the fearless leadership of Tracy Hipps. After this summer, he will move to Lookout Mountain, Georgia (about 20 minutes from Chattanooga) where he hopes to be able to find a job and to work with a refugee re-settlement ministry in Chattanooga.

Our summer interns are running on all cylinders everyday, involved in everything from supervising volunteer groups to covering the front desk, administrative duties, creating content for our newsletter and social media, organizing the kitchens, etc. They attend our weekly staff meetings and are fully integrated into the culture of the ministry. They have already become known for finding fun surprises hidden in the warehouse (like the box of Silly Putty they recently uncovered)... on scooters, of course.

We are accepting applications for Fall interns. If you, or someone you know, would be a good fit for an internship with CSM, please contact Judy@csmission.org.

Marissa covered in paint and smiles

Morgan cheerfully tending to Compassion Food Box delivery

Nathan moving around the warehouse at lightning speed