Hi all! My name is Erin Kiley, and I am the Advocacy Intern at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry for the summer of 2019.
I am originally from Cuyahoga Falls, OH where I grew up with 6 younger siblings. As the captain of our little team, I always considered them to be my priority. So, when it was time to leave for college I was heartbroken. Luckily, I found a new home at John Carroll University. A business major and member of the cross country and track teams, I looked to renew the purpose I felt in caring for my siblings. I began working in the Center for Service and Social Action and submerged myself into service activities and the engagement of student volunteers. My immersion experience to Nicaragua and my leadership experiences across campus enhanced my passion for social justice. However, I consistently struggled to feel confidence in a career path. Every direction that I explored was missing something. I resigned myself to a job hunt without enthusiasm.
Timing and intervention jumped into play. I accepted a Graduate Assistant position at John Carroll for the cross country and track teams and began working towards my Master of Business Administration degree. The coaching role showed me the beauty in companionship, and I became devoted to my position as a positive presence for the community around me. But intervention wasn’t done with me. John Carroll presented the opportunity to intern with a nonprofit in the Cleveland community. I applied and was placed with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry. The three weeks that I have spent with the organization fit all of my scattered pieces together.
At LMM, I found the fulfillment I was looking for. The passion and commitment to social change across all levels of the organization has been nothing less than inspirational. LMM applies the cura personalis (care of the whole person) vision that I fell so deeply in love with during my time at John Carroll. I look forward to learning more about this commitment and the programs that come from it throughout my next seven weeks at LMM. As I internalize this passion and (hopefully) display it myself, I will work on a project around sustainability in housing, focused on the needs of the population at the 2100 Lakeside shelter. Research is challenging my “do it all” inclination to take a backseat, and I will be narrowing down the focus of my project in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for information around my intern project!
I am so grateful for this opportunity and overwhelmingly excited to continue my journey at LMM!
Erin
