Heather Fuchs, Prevention Policy Intern (Summer 2011), shares her thoughts as she wraps up her internship: 

“Working with The Partnership has been beyond rewarding. As a young, passionate activist and student, having the opportunity to take on several important and fascinating projects was a challenge, but a sincerely enriching one. I’ve learned so much, not only about the complexity of issues like domestic violence and teen dating violence, but also about how I operate in a non-profit setting. 

I also discovered abilities I never knew I had as I helped to construct and facilitate one of the Partnership’s widely successful monthly Peer Network calls. While I was already interested in policy development and working towards a more safe and just world, my time with The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence has provided me with the tools I need to continue on the path that will help lead me to the truly progressive and fervent future that I have craved so much, for so long. 

I couldn’t possibly thank Lisa, Alicia, The Partnership, and the movement enough for all they have taught me, and for all of the possibilities they have shown me.” 

It has been a pleasure to work with you, Heather! Your deep commitment to intersectional analysis and practice, hard work, tenacity, great organizational skills and down-to-earth personality, were all truly appreciated! We thank you with all sincerity for your strong work this summer! Between late June and early September, Heather: 

• Arranged, supported and transcribed interviews with our policy partners to help assess our teen dating violence prevention policy efforts and plan our future work;
• Organized, facilitated and documented a Prevention Peer Network conference call on Promoting Healthy Relationships and Prevention Teen Dating Violence Among LGBTQ Youth; and
• Created a “how-to” manual for our monthly Prevention Peer Network conference calls.

To wrap up her experience, Heather will volunteer at our Annual Membership Meeting and Statewide Domestic Violence conference September 12-14, 2011. We thank you Heather and wish you all the best in your future endeavors. In partnership!

Each semester, The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence recruits undergraduate and graduate student interns to work with our Prevention Program.