I remember that during my freshman year, a friend mentioned the SUNY Washington Internship Program. It sounded like an incredible opportunity, but I didn’t imagine myself taking part. That all changed when Casey Cappelletti, Dr. Robert Powell, and Leah Siegmann visited my Generalist Social Work Practices (GSWP) class to promote the program. It was inspiring to see Leah, a fellow Social Work major, in D.C. giving back through an internship, just as I had always wanted to. At first, I was shocked to learn that a Social Work major was in the program at all, since I had always assumed it was only for Political Science majors, a common misconception about this program. However, hearing about Leah’s experience in D.C. sparked my interest in applying.
Max Johnson in front of the MLK memorial.
The SUNY Washington Internship became the “away-from-home” experience I had always wanted but had been scared to follow through on. Growing up in Rochester and attending SUNY Brockport, I enjoyed being close to home, but I have never been truly challenged in this way. Choosing to apply for this program was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. What I didn’t tell anyone over the summer was how scared I was.to follow through. I was afraid of being away from home, away from my friends and family, and stepping into the unknown completely alone in a new city. But looking back, that fear was part of what made this experience so transformative.
While in Washington, D.C. I interned at The Father McKenna Center, a drop-in day center that provides meals, case management services, and community support for unhoused men. At the Center, I served as their case management intern and assisted with their food pantry program. My time at The Father McKenna Center was very eye-opening and purposeful. The most impactful aspect of this experience was being able to give support to black men in need by helping connect them with essential resources such as SNAP benefits, identification, and housing. In my first week at the Center, I went from assisting clients in creating resumes to getting clients’ bus tickets home to their families. It was an honor to serve these men, genuinely getting to know them and treating them as human beings, not just simply homeless men.
My semester in the SUNY Washington Internship Program has been deeply transformative for my professional, academic, and personal development. What started as a distant dream quickly became one of the most meaningful times in my life, boosting my confidence, helping me clarify my purpose, and showing me that I am capable of more than I had previously thought. This experience strengthened my commitment to the social work profession. Washington, D.C. challenged, healed, and helped me grow. Though leaving Washington was difficult, I returned to Brockport with a renewed sense of independence, increased compassion, and a clearer sense of who I am becoming. The people I met, the clients I served, and the growth I gained will always stay with me, no matter where I go next.