Our Founder and CEO, Lori Madrid, has been featured on Macaroni Kids. Click this link to learn more: http://ow.ly/QBUT30naPIH

Thank you, Macaroni Kids!

This night provided an opportunity to learn more about some issues students face. Everybody Matters presented about reducing self-harming behaviors and teaching pre-teens healthy relationships.

Thank you so much to Griffith Elementary and everyone involved for hosting this informative event!

Our very own Founder and CEO, Lori Madrid met Senator-elect Kyrsten Sinema at a reception honoring Sinema on Monday. Sinema is an Arizona State University (ASU) graduate of the School of Social Work, and adjunct professor at ASU.

Ms. Madrid serves as a member of the ASU School of Social Work Community Advisory Board in addition to serving as a faculty associate in the School of Social Work at ASU.

Faith is our next Intern Spotlight! She is a first year Master's of Social Work student intern studying at Arizona State University. She moved from Albuquerque, NM to Phoenix, and is passionate about working with kiddos.

Why did you chose Everybody Matters?

"I chose Everybody Matters because I am passionate about working with kids. I was immediately drawn to EM because interns are able to get hands-on, one-on-one experience with kiddos. I love what EM stands for, and I immediately fit right in with everyone."

What is your favorite moment (so far) with Everybody Matters?

"My favorite moment so far was actually getting scored below a 5 from one of my kiddos. Most of my students are very quiet, but one who recently rated my performance under excellent was my first experience without a filter. I loved it! My kiddo was very vocal about what he wanted to be different next session, and we talked about how I can make his EM meetings even better. Now that he feels comfortable talking to me about things like this, we can begin to work on goals that we have set together. This moment made me very excited for the rapport that was built between the student and I, as well as the many weeks we have left to do great things in our meetings!"

(At the end of each meeting, the student rates their intern on a scale from one (“Terrible”) to five (“Excellent”) so they can understand the student’s perspective of the meeting.)

What do you plan to do upon graduating?

"Once I graduate, I hope to get a job in the social work field working with kids. I am specifically interested in trauma, and I hope to gain more certifications to work with this population."

What was your dream job when you were younger?

"My dream job when I was younger was to be a famous country artist. I grew up wanting to be just like Shania Twain."

Some of our staff and one intern had a blast helping kiddos at Palomino Primary and Palomino Intermediate get eye exams and pick out frames at the Eye Care 4 Kids "Vision Van" today! It was great seeing so many students excited to get glasses. Thank you Palomino Primary for hosting, and Eye Care 4 Kids for the great work you do!

Everybody Matters' Program Manager and two of our interns attended the Nonprofit Networking Meeting hosted by School Connect and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) this morning. It was great meeting individuals from so many organizations serving Arizona communities and youth, learning more about School Connect and PVCC programs and initiatives, and hearing from the journalist panel.

Thank you School Connect and Paradise Valley Community College for hosting this great opportunity allowing nonprofits to connect to best serve the community!

Our next Intern Spotlight is Ruth J. Ruth is a Bachelor of Social Work intern from Arizona State University (ASU), who is also in the Americorps program learning about Domestic Violence advocacy.

Why did you choose Everybody Matters?

“Everybody Matters came highly recommended to me by a supervisor of mine. I interviewed and fell in love with what the program does and stands for.”

What is one of your favorite moments (so far) with Everybody Matters?

“One of my favorite moments so far are seeing High School students become more respectful during group.”

Ruth co-facilitates groups at Paradise Valley High school.

What are your plans once you graduate?

“Once I graduate I hope to continue my education in the advanced standing MSW program at ASU. After I obtain this degree I hope to work at a school or in healthcare.”

How do you feel about working on such a large team of interns?

“ I love working with a large team on interns. It makes me happy to know that I have so many other resources to go to and that we all come from different backgrounds and can contribute in different ways to each other and the program.“

If you could be a fictional character, who would you choose?

“I would be Rey from Star Wars because she speaks to me in regards to how you don't have to come from the best beginnings or have parents that are Han, Leia or Luke ( or any one important or influential for that matter) to help others. You just have to try hard and believe in yourself even when others doubt you because you are an outsider.”

Two Everybody Matters interns have collaborated to ensure Spanish-speaking youth can be served.

Nayiveth Torres and Cherica Will are two interns that are at different universities, in different programs, and intern on different days. Yet, they have come together to create a solution for Spanish-speaking students who work with interns that only speak English. When Cherica begins a meeting with one of her students, she calls Nayiveth via Google Hangouts, a video-calling program. As Cherica and the student speak to each other, Nayiveth translates during the session.

The translation idea started when Cherica was matched with two Spanish-speaking children. The school offered to have an aid translate for her, but there were ethical and confidentiality issues to consider. Amanda Harvin, one of the Team Leaders, sent out an email to the intern team about the need for an interpreter, and Nayiveth volunteered.

Q: What were some challenges you faced setting up the translation?

Nayiveth: “During our very first session via Google Hangouts, there was like a static noise in the background so it was hard to hear what the kiddos were saying. I was worried about misinterpreting if I couldn't hear correctly.”

Cherica: “The only other issue we had was when Nayiveth had her own crisis at her site and was unable to meet with us.”

Q: How did you overcome these challenges?

N: “Cherica figured out that the static was coming from her laptop, so she used her phone for our next meeting and the static noise was gone! I could hear clearly which made translating much easier.”

C: “My students and I had to use Google Translate for those sessions.”*

Q: What are your thoughts/comments about these translations?

C: “Just being aware that it takes more time, so I need to schedule more time. I also can get distracted while Nayiveth is interpreting, so I have to make sure I stay with the conversation in the here and now.”

N: “I think it was a wonderful idea because it works out for everyone. It allows the kiddos to express themselves how they feel comfortable and Cherica is able to help them better if she understands what they are saying. Personally, even I benefit because I get to practice my Spanish with vocabulary and conversation in context that I don't use daily!”

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about this experience?

C: “I feel like even though Nayiveth is just an interpreter she brings to it a great energy that my student and I might miss if she were not there. She laughs with us and contributes by being helpful and positive.”

*Note: Another intern has volunteered to translate if Nayiveth is unavailable.

Some Everybody Matters interns volunteered at the Love Our Schools Day event on Saturday, October 20th at Quail Run Elementary School. They volunteered painting the main building hallways, and preparing student materials. The interns had a great time, and did a great job serving the community.

"It went very well! One of my high school English teachers was actually volunteering as well, so I would say my favorite part was being able to connect (or reconnect) with other professionals who also love our schools and our students. Overall, the event was very well organized, which I also appreciated." - Carina Brodsky

"It was great! My favorite part was when I got to paint in what seemed an endless hallway with my earbuds in, listening to my a book. Very therapeutic!" - Cherica Will

Our first Intern Spotlight features Amelia, a foundation year Master’s of Social Work student at Arizona State University and an intern in the Mesa school district. While she once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, Amelia found her true calling in social work.

Why did you choose Everybody Matters?

“I love working with kids! I had just come from a job working at a school and I wanted to continue working in schools. Plus, I loved the name “Everybody Matters” because it's true! Everybody does matter and they don’t always know that!!!”

What is your favorite moment so far?

“This is hard because I want to say something about the other interns, team leaders, and Lori because I absolutely love everyone I’ve met through this internship. But, I also want to say that my very first meeting with a kid at my junior high I’m at was such a great and fun moment. It was one that made me feel like “Ok! I got this!””

This year, our intern team has more than tripled! How do you feel about working with such a large team of interns?

"I LOVE IT! I’ve never met such an amazing group of people. Everyone has unique strengths they bring to the table and I love the energy we all have. We all get along and we all have the same passions. I always love when we have group supervisions because I get to see all of them again since we are typically at different schools. “

What are your plans after graduation?

“I hope to find a job working with teenagers. I really love working with kids, especially teenagers because I find them sassy and fun. I also want to become a licensed clinical social worker so I have to find a place to get the hours for that!!”

What is your favorite color?

“Purple! Which is great because EM’s (Everybody Matters’) shirts are purple!”

If you could be a fictional character, who would you choose?

"Luna Lovegood. I love how unique she is. She is very connected to things that other people ignore or do not understand. Luna is a free-spirit and totally owns that. Plus… she’s a wizard and that is awesome."