finding comfort

Today I interviewed Abby, the head of development and engagement at Atlas Corps for a class assignment. Abby is an Atlas Corps Fellow alum who is passionate about Latin America and fun to talk to about traveling and Latin food. She is immediately friendly, outgoing and passionate, always greeting me with a smile. Abby also attends networking events and hosts information sessions for visitor, and she is a great person to represent the Atlas Corps organization. I do not work directly with Abby, but she makes me feel like part of the team and is very encouraging at staff meetings.

Atlas Corps is a very small non-profit: four people work in my office, I bring my own laptop to work on, and calls are overheard by everyone on the floor. The organization shares offices with many people from other organizations, and we are in the process of organizing and cleaning as a new non-profit will be sharing our offices with us starting Friday. I have never worked in such cramped corners, but I do not mind the situation. Everyone is available and easy to reach, we are all friendly and naturally forced into conversation, and co-workers bring pie to share. Another great thing about working in a small office is the sense of community and small shared victories. Last week Atlas Corps celebrated two major funding approvals with champagne and group congratulations recognizing a “team” effort.  Even the interns were invited to celebrate and thanked for their hard work so far. What has impressed me the most while interning at Atlas Corps is that everyone is genuinely interested in their work, constantly engaged, and truly passionate.

Colombia Heights, Washington, D.C.

This is a picture I took while visiting Colombia Heights for authentic, delicious pupusas with a friend I met in El Salvador. Colombia Heights is a predominantly Latino community in Washington D.C., where conversations are conducted in Spanish, English lessons are offered at community centers, and women push fruit carts on the sidewalk. Colombia Heights is one of my favorite places to go. My friend and I were sitting on the steps surrounding this fountain, sharing pan dulce, and watching the young girl on the bike run in and out of the water. My friend commented that he felt so comfortable in this Latino setting, like he was home. And his thoughts reflect mine. I knew that transitioning from community living in El Salvador to internships and seminars in D.C. would be a challenge for me. But exploring Colombia Heights has eased my transition.  gracias a dios.