My Work at Community Solutions

Julia Navarro, Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions | April 22, 2013

I have worked at Community Solutions since October of last year, and it has been clear to me that I found a gem from the beginning. Initially, I came to Yellow Springs to attend Antioch College—where I could continue my studies of Environmental Science and also gain work experience throughout my time there.  My vision was to continue my studies in a way that helped me learn more about environmental and social issues in the world, and also prepared me to respond to them through experience-learning.

Working at Community Solutions has helped me more than achieve my vision.  Through my experience here, I have been exposed to multiple perspectives on the environmental problems facing our world today, I have learned the different responses people in our society have taken to these problems, and I have been able to work with them in researching the best solutions and sharing our findings with others in the form of presentations, books, articles, and documentaries.

My tasks at work have included transcribing presentations and documentary scripts, helping with graphics, sending emails and letter updates, helping with a Kickstarter campaign to promote the Passive House Film, searching for grants and fundraising, reviewing articles and posting them on Facebook and Twitter, posting updates about Community Solutions on Facebook, occasionally taking phone calls, translating books and films to Spanish, and updating information about our donors and contacts in the Giftworks database.  My work has equipped me to learn the ins-and-outs of non-profit organizations and has acquainted me with the work that people across the world are doing to combat social and environmental injustices associated with climate change.  I resonate deeply with their goals and vision and love being a part of the restorative work they are doing.  I believe that they are able to express their ideas and beliefs and goals in a way that is logical, interesting, and applicable.

Even more, the company at Community Solutions is one of a kind.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know Pat, Faith, Jeanna, and Beth as I heard their stories and worked with them on various projects. They are inspiring, dedicated, and true visionaries.  I’m so glad I have been able to share my workdays with them.  Overall, I could not have asked for a better work experience.  They have taught me more than I had deemed possible, and they have been patient with me and flexible while I try to manage my demands at school.  It has been the exact type of experience that I was hoping to find, and I feel much more prepared and knowledgeable in my pursuit of a career related to environmental science and social justice.