People, Purpose & Prep
August 5, 2025
Intern Experience Days – Development Day: People, Purpose & Prep
In Partnership with BrookLynk
This summer, Homeward Bound continued our partnership with BrookLynk, a youth employment and career development program that helps students gain real-world experience in fields they’re passionate about. While most interns spend their time working directly in our residential homes, they also get to spend time with other departments across the organization. On July 30, it was the Development team’s turn to host.
Starting the Day: Big Picture and Purpose
The day began bright and early with a warm welcome and overview of what was ahead. Our intern spent the morning getting a behind-the-scenes look at what the Development team does — from fundraising and donor engagement to communications and event planning.
She kicked off the morning with Kristine, our Director of Development, who shared insights into her own career path and the strategic thinking that goes into planning events and engaging donors. It was a chance to hear how relationship-building, data, and storytelling all work together to support our mission.
A Hands-On Look at the Work
Afterward, she joined Terrina, our Development Coordinator, for some hands-on experience with the day-to-day work that keeps the department moving. Tasks included:
- Processing business card requests
- Posting blogs and updating event listings on our website
- Entering live donations into our donor database (Raiser’s Edge)
- Updating internal event logs
She quickly picked up on how important the small, often overlooked details are to keeping fundraising efforts organized and successful — a theme that connects well with her interest in healthcare and patient-centered care.
Event Prep in Action
Later in the day, the team shifted focus to prep for our upcoming Annual Golf Fundraiser — one of the largest events of the year. Our intern jumped in to help:
- Attaching raffle tickets to 144 Mulligan cards
- Cutting 72 “Game on the Hole” cards
- Labeling 144 gift bags for golfers
After a well-earned Chipotle lunch with the team, she helped assemble Silent Auction baskets, snapped a few behind-the-scenes photos, and brainstormed ideas for a fun TikTok. Her creativity and attention to detail really stood out.
Career Exploration and Reflections
Throughout the day, there were casual conversations about career goals, personal interests, and the many paths that can lead to meaningful work. During the end-of-day debrief, we asked her a few reflection questions — here’s what she had to say:
What stood out the most?
“All the work that’s done behind the scenes. A lot more time and effort goes into planning an event than I expected.”
What surprised you?
“I really enjoyed prepping the Mulligan packs and putting together the auction baskets. It’s cool that you’re juggling so many projects at once.”
Any new career ideas sparked?
While the work doesn’t align exactly with her future plans, she appreciated the balance of fun, creativity, and responsibility that development offers.
Skills she used — and wants to grow:
“Teamwork really defines what you do. The communication and collaboration to get even one thing done is impressive. I’d love to keep building those skills — and keep working hands-on.”
Anything she’d spend more time on?
“I wish I had more time to explore Raiser’s Edge. It was fun entering donations, and I’d like to learn more about how the database supports the bigger picture.”
Biggest takeaway?
“You really wear a lot of hats. It was cool to see how much thought goes into every little detail behind the scenes.”
Looking Ahead
Intern Experience Days like this one help show how different parts of an organization connect to the mission. Whether someone’s passion is healthcare, fundraising, or operations, there’s a place for everyone to contribute. We’re grateful for the energy and curiosity our intern brought to the Development team, and we look forward to seeing where her career path leads.
