I worked with nonprofit organization United Way of Metro Chicago (UWMC) as an AmeriCorps service member from 2019-2020. In their first-ever position of multimedia journalist, I was tasked with building out United Way’s social media and blog content to incorporate photo and video stories on their community partners.
For the first six months, I traveled to Auburn Gresham, Blue Island Robbins, Brighton Park, Evanston, Bronzeville, Little Village, Cicero, South Chicago, West Chicago, and Austin to share hyperlocal coverage through resident features, Q&As, and relevant issue stories. Watch this video story on Evanston’s Books & Breakfast program:
I photographed the entire senior team to provide them with updated headshots which you can find on their website — using the vibrant murals on the beloved 18th Street in Pilsen. For UWMC’s annual Giving Tuesday Campaign in 2019, I provided photography and creative direction in collaboration with our team graphic designer. See below:
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, my regular reporting had drastically changed. Our team started a COVID fund in partnership with the City of Chicago, and they needed a PSA video to air on local networks. For this work, I was recognized as volunteer of the week by the Serve Illinois Commission.
Rounding out my service year, I created a video series to educate UWMC's audience on the history, strengths, community efforts in each of their neighborhood network partners. See below:
This experience exposed me to the ways in which marketing, journalism, and community service intertwine. While difficult at times, writing from the perspective of a large, nonprofit organization taught me how to recenter the narrative of the community resident, always. I was constantly reminded that organizing, equity, and change, are not just fluffy words to write but are small (or big), everyday actions taken by many people together. These stories that champion success over strife take time and effort and struggle. And the stories will always be there, as long as there is someone to listen.