I am a Cleveland native and recent graduate of John Carroll University with a Bachelor’s degree in English. A few weeks ago, I started my summer internship with the Cleveland Foundation working at The Literacy Cooperative. Although The Literacy Cooperative was my first choice for placement during the 11-week internship, I never could have imagined what a great fit it truly is.

Coming into this experience, I had no idea what to expect from my host site. I obviously had an idea of what literacy was: being able to read and write well enough to function in society. However, I have since learned that it is so much more.

Literacy includes speaking in English, computing, and problem solving. In today’s society, this means that it is more important than ever for individuals to be literate at every age. I also learned that seven out of 10 Clevelanders do not possess the minimum literacy skills now needed to operate in our society.

I am so grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to helping The Literacy Cooperative this summer with their many early-childhood and adult literacy programs. My lifelong love of reading and learning makes me even more passionate about The Literacy Cooperative’s vision “That all children and adults in Greater Cleveland will reach their highest literacy potential for employment, self-sufficiency, and lifelong learning.” Good luck to all my fellow interns, I look forward to hearing about your experiences! For more information on The Literacy Cooperative, visit www.LiteracyCooperative.org

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Placement: The Literacy Cooperative. School: Recent graduate, John Carroll University.