Hello! My name is Caitlin Larkin, and this summer I will be interning at LMM in their Communication and Advocacy departments. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, and currently live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. In my free time, I enjoy taking walks with my dog, reading books, and watching movies. I am a rising senior at John Carroll University studying Political Science, Data Science, and Leadership Development.
During my time at John Carroll University, I have had the opportunity to take my education beyond the classroom and apply what I have learned to the experiences I have had. I have been able to travel abroad to learn about peacebuilding in Northern Ireland, conducted research on police reform in Cleveland, and volunteer in Cleveland. These experiences have helped me to realize that while people have different lived experiences, we all want similar things: to feel safe, loved, and to be happy.
While I was abroad in Northern Ireland, I spoke with people who had lived through The Troubles, a violent conflict that left the country divided. What surprised me most about this trip was the number of reminders that could still be seen throughout Northern Ireland almost 30 years after the end of The Troubles. Oftentimes, in the United States, historic areas are no longer recognizable. Now they consist of tall skyscrapers, busy roads, and people rushing around, making it more difficult to remember what we have overcome, which leads to history repeating itself.
During the fall, I was able to volunteer with Writers in Residence, a program that hosts writing workshops for juvenile residents in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. Through this program and the conversations I had with the residents, I connected with people I otherwise would not have met and learned more about the issues that impact them. My experiences with Writers in Residence also tie into the research that I have done on police reform in Cleveland. Researching police reform in Cleveland has given me a deeper understanding of the issues impacting people in Cleveland, while also teaching me more about the criminal justice system.
Based on my experiences, during my time at LMM, I am most interested in learning more about the reentry work they do. I am looking forward to developing a better understanding of how connected the issues that LMM focuses on are. When I first started at LMM, I was slightly overwhelmed by the number of areas they focus on, but I have come to realize that LMM addresses many issues because there is a need within the community for these issues to be addressed. These are just some of the reasons I am excited about my time at LMM and the work I will be doing this summer!
