Every time I explain what my internship entailed, it piques people's interest and sparks conversations about important subjects. 

From June through August this year, I had the incredible opportunity to witness the inner workings of this unique organization, Living Proof Advocacy (LPA). 

The LPA team, led by founders Tim Cage and John Capecci, is a small, dedicated group of individuals who amplify advocates' voices. I was fortunate enough to work closely with marketing team members Katy Spencer Johnson and Jack Clark. Our meetings focused on how we could best promote advocates and their missions through teamwork, graphic design, outreach, testimonials, campaigns and social media. I was privileged to sit in on discussions surrounding blog posts, including one about Mindy Buchanan, an LPA-certified coach who helps individuals affected by myotonic dystrophy share their stories.

Throughout my time at LPA, I learned that stories are not just narratives—they are powerful tools for driving change. The work I participated in has the potential to influence policy, challenge stigmas and inspire others to take action. I also gained valuable insights into how to ethically and mindfully amplify the voices of various communities during awareness months—avoiding superficial gestures like simply changing profile photos instead of providing meaningful support to organizations.

I also contributed to launching the brand-new LPA Youth Advocacy Project. This initiative amplifies the voices of young advocates, 19 and younger, sharing with them the strategies that work best to make their efforts truly impactful.

My favorite part of the internship was connecting with and learning from numerous young advocates. If you ever feel disheartened by current events, I highly recommend doing a quick search on youth advocates in your area. It’s incredible what young people are accomplishing in the face of older, more experienced stakeholders. I was fortunate enough to interview mental-health and climate-change advocate Kripa Kannan about her advocacy work and what strategies have been effective for her. We discussed how interconnected everything is—how issues like mental health and climate change, though seemingly different, are deeply intertwined as young people grapple with the lack of initiative regarding climate change and its impact on their future.

My time at Living Proof Advocacy was an eye-opener. I learned so much about the real impact of storytelling and how genuine advocacy can truly make a difference. I came to understand that advocacy isn't about speaking the loudest—it's about speaking from the heart. The skills and connections I’ve gained will definitely stick with me as I move forward. I’m excited to keep pursuing advocacy and remembering skills taught by LPA throughout my career.