Intern of the Month: Joanna Osorio
Name: Joanna Osorio
Hometown: Dallas, TX
College: El Centro College
Major: Linguistics
PT Site: Casa Linda
Why did you want to serve as an intern at PT?
I have a genuine passion to serve. I especially wanted to serve as an intern with PT because of the children.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from working with children/youth?
The most important lesson I have learned from working with children is to have true compassion for one another, and simply always smile while having fun enjoying life.
What is your favorite part of the Project Transformation experience?
My favorite part of the Project Transformation experience is knowing that I have made a difference in the life of the children and parents, but also feeling that they made my life that much better as well.
If you could tell one story from your experience at PT – what story would you tell?
Let me tell you about my little ones…I mainly help first graders. Some of my kids couldn’t read, tell time, or advanced in math; however, I have done my best to tackle their needs. Those kids now are just a little bit more advanced than some of their classmates and actually look forward to certain subjects in both English & Spanish. That is a huge accomplishment when the children feel good about themselves and that they are confident.
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Learning to Relax
Joanna Osorio
I love that every day I get the opportunity to teach my kids at Casa Linda, and yet those little hearts teach me a thing or two about life. Stress week was an enlightening experience as I decided to introduce my kids to yoga. I enjoyed watching the children take time to think about their feelings. They also explored their position in life as a brother, sister, daughter, son, and friend. The children were eager for the physical challenges that were presented to them through yoga, and boy did they love the stretching exercises! The most important thing about this entire experience is that more often than not we under estimate children because we think they do not understand. Children are wise beyond their years. They remind me that when we slow down to relieve ourselves from life, we are all affected in the same manner Children teach us and remind us so much about things unknown or forgotten. They reminded me r to be kind to yourself even as an adult, because in the grand scheme of things, we too are innocent to the ways of life and learning every day.
Joanna Osorio
PT intern
Mardi Gras Madness at Casa Linda
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The After School Program had its first Family Fun Night of the spring semester. The theme was “Mardi Gras” so we had a masquerade party with purple, green, and gold attire! The parents and kids were able to come to site dressed up in their best Mardi Gras costumes! The interns and kids had Mardi Gras beads and masks ready to go for everyone to wear, and we all celebrated a wonderful night of food and fun! The families created their own Mardi Gras masks and some of them were amazing! Two girls came in gold dresses and won the best costume award. We also had two mother/child duos that won the runner-up awards. Their costumes were delightful! The parent/teacher group held a raffle to raise money for the After School Program, and it was a hit. The parents and kids of the After School Program give so much to this program, so I am glad they got one night to relax and have fun.
Suja Chacko
Casa Linda Site Coordinator
What a Joy
The after school program has just begun, and even thought it was my second year at Casa Linda I was still a little bit nervous, because I knew I was going to see new faces. As I entered the classroom I was excited to see the kids and then I realized that many faces were familiar. When I saw one of my favorite kids and it just made my day. His name is Juan and I love this kid because he is always smiling and that smile made me realize that the only reason I came back as a year round intern was to see how happy each of our kids enjoy been at Casa Linda. As much as I love Casa Linda I know the kids love it too because they love the help they get from us the interns, as well as the lovely volunteers we have at our site. I am so excited about what this upcoming year at Casa Linda brings us and what joy it will be to spend time with the kids.
Angelica Dominguez
Project Transformtion Intern 2011-2012
Global Dwellings
If you search on Youtube “24 rooms in a tiny Hong Kong apartment”, you will be amazed to find someone who has used their mind and creativity to create an amazing living space out of the small space where he lived. I smiled as I heard my kids shout out in amazement as they watched the video clip, “That is so cool!!” or “How did he do that?” I knew they finally got the idea that it didn’t matter what your environment is; your creativity and your mind can build wondrous things. We began our discussion on “Houses Around the World”, and I showed them pictures of houses from places like India, Antartica, Africa, and asked them to identify the material of the house and what place the house comes from. I was delighted to find out my kids knew a lot about geography, and were able to understand how other people lived around the globe. Finally, I asked them to get in teams and build their “Dream House” using various materials that I gave them such as cardboard boxes, legos, geometric shapes, pipecleaners, tissue paper, etc. It was amazing to see what creative spaces they made using only the materials given to them. I hope I drove the lesson home with my kids this week in that no matter what your space or environment is, you can make anything positive and beautiful with a little bit of creativity and imagination.
Suja Chacko
Site Coordinator 2011-2012
Suja Chacko
Best concert of your life? Gavin Degraw in Austin- I met him afterwards
Name: Suja Chacko
Education: University of Texas at Dallas, Biomedical Sciences, hope to graduate next year
Top 5 movies:Usual Supects, Shawshank Redemption, Lion King, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Defiance
Top 5 albums/bands: Adele, Michael Jackson, Gavin Degraws, U2, Switchfoot,
Top 5 restaurants: Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Pei-Wei, Buffalo Wild Wings (Tuesday- 45 cent wings), Yogurtland!
2 random facts about you: I smile a lot. I am clumsy, so I usually only wear flats so I don’t trip.
Best concert of your life? Gavin Degraw in Austin- I met him afterwards 
What do you love about Project Transformation? How I am learning so much about non-profit work and experiencing it first hand. I love the mission and the goal of PT and I share similar goals and views in my personal life.
What appealed to you about this particular internship? I get my feet wet in the non-profit world.
What is your personal goal for this year? To teach my kids the love of God and to learn more about the non-profit field.
What is your goal for the children and youth at your site? To learn the love of God and experience it first hand through our program.
Into the Groove
As a year round site coordinator, this is my first summer being a site coordinator for the Summer Program. I am so used to 25 kids in the After School Program, so 107 kids this summer is quite an increase! I was so weary about that number and how I would be able to handle it. Two weeks into the program, my team of ten and I have learned the ropes, and we have got into a groove at Casa Linda. I am so appreciative of my team and how hard they work. We have so many exciting things planned from curriculum like “Disney Day” and “Superhero Day” to Water Day and putting an art mural up on a wall in Casa Linda. My team and I have been so worried about a lack of supplies, but God is good and he eased our worries this past week. Our team witnessed quite the miracle this week. As we brainstormed a “wish list” of supplies we needed help in getting and finally created the list and passed it along to a few people, including our reading volunteers from National Charity League we had a flow of supplies. Even some of our friends at the other eight sites knew about our worries and donated as well. It was such a great thing to witness such care and love and generosity. It made our team really emotional and very thankful to God. He shows up strong and mighty when you least expect it.
Suja Chacko
Casa Linda Site Coordinator
April Family Fun Night: Black and White Awards Extravangaza
Our Last Family Fun Night was on April 14, 2011 and it was a blast! Our theme: Black & White Awards Extravangaza. It was a potluck dinner, prepared and served by our parents of the After School Program. The foods were dishes originated from countries like Mexico and El Salvador. The food was delicious and we are grateful to all our parents of the ASP who are quite extraordinary cooks!! It was a night of recognizing the hard work of our kids of ASP, the volunteers, church members, church staff who always help us, and the parents and families of the program. The night was just filled with dinner, dancing, and appreciation for everyone involved in the 2010-2011 After School Program. In appreciation, the kids of ASP even made chef hats, baked and frosted cookies, and handed them out to their parents and volunteers to thank them during Family Fun Night. As Site Coordinator, I am so appreciate of everyone involved in this year’s ASP. I am looking forward to the summer, and very happy for what we accomplished and celebrated this year!
Our Last Family Fun Night was on April 14, 2011 and it was a blast! Our theme: Black & White Awards Extravangaza. It was a potluck dinner, prepared and served by our parents of the After School Program. The foods were dishes originated from countries like Mexico and El Salvador. The food was delicious and we are grateful to all our parents of the ASP who are quite extraordinary cooks!! It was a night of recognizing the hard work of our kids of ASP, the volunteers, church members, church staff who always help us, and the parents and families of the program. The night was just filled with dinner, dancing, and appreciation for everyone involved in the 2010-2011 After School Program. In appreciation, the kids of ASP even made chef hats, baked and frosted cookies, and handed them out to their parents and volunteers to thank them during Family Fun Night. As Site Coordinator, I am so appreciate of everyone involved in this year’s ASP. I am looking forward to the summer, and very happy for what we accomplished and celebrated this year!
Suja Chacko
Interns of the month: Ashyle and Angelica
April 1, 2011, 9:38 pm
Filed under: 2010-2011 Year Round Interns, Casa Linda, Wesley Rankin Community Center
Filed under: 2010-2011 Year Round Interns, Casa Linda, Wesley Rankin Community Center
Name: Ashyle Horton
Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX
Marjor: Education
PT Site: Wesley Rankin Youth
Why did you want to serve as an intern at PT?
I felt I could make a difference in a child’s life.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from working with the children and youth?
I’ve learned that things don’t always go as planned. You really have to be flexible when working with children and youth.
What is your favorite Project Transformation experience?
To me, it’s building meaningful and lasting relationships with the youth and the other interns.
If you could tell one story form your experience at PT, what story would you tell?
This is my second year at PT, and I’ve seen so much growth in one of our youth named Radien. Last year he was very shy and would not interact with the other youth. Now I see him coming out of his shell. He is talking with others and getting involved in activities. Seeing him become engaged makes me so happy to realize how far he has come.
Name: Angelica Dominquez
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: Education/English
PT Site: Casa Linda UMC
Why did you want to serve as an intern at PT?
Serving children is my passion. Serving as an intern at Project Transformation has helped me reach my goal of helping children.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from working with the children and youth?
All your time and dedication has to be with the children no matter how difficult that may be sometimes.
What is your favorite Project Transformation experience?
I love helping kids not only with their homework but also with reaching their goals. Project Transformation has taught me that so many kids need good role models, and I want to be one for them.
If you could tell one story form your experience at PT, what story would you tell?
As few weeks ago during playground time, one of our girls was sitting on a bench all by herself. One of her classmates named Karla stopped playing her game and went over to the girl and asked her if she wanted to join. I was amazed that she had the courage to stop doing what she was doing to include someone else. It takes courage to do the right and Karla showed hers that day.
Valentine’s means Family Time!
