From the Intern Desk …

This from Theresa, who is interning at St. Anthony’s this summer:

The work that I do here at St. Anthony’s has given me such a profound appreciation for the things that I have in my life.  I find it fascinating how St.Anthony’s is able to meet so many needs of individuals and families in the Tenderloin. The amount of gratitude that the clients have for all the services that St.Anthony’s provides for the community is so eye opening. I have witnessed more dignity and respect  here at St. Anthony’s in a month, than I have in my 17 years on earth. I know I will carry this experience with me in the future.

There is something about serving that can make a bad day great.There are many days where  I can recall  not wanting to get up for work, commute to San Francisco,and walk in the (ice cold) summer air, but as soon as someone greets me with a smile or hello, I am more than ready  to serve and learn. Interning at the  Tenderloin Tech Lab and being able to slow down and work one on one with a client is so rewarding. A computer, something so simple and natural to me, is not as common to everyone. I am able to use a natural skill to help others and that feeling can not be expressed in words. Often, I find myself learning as I teach, the clients are so brilliant and I love hearing their stories because they have so much wisdom and strength within them. Once, I was helping an elderly man who was sitting on two seat cushions, as I stood next to him he reached and grabbed one to place in the chair beside him. “We can not start until the teacher is seated and comfortable!”, it was flattering, being that I am only 17 years old and my elder called me his teacher, not to mention the seat cushion was very comfortable.