Internship update 7/31

This week was a busy one!  On Monday, we researched candidates for the election of IRCT Board of Directors, Regional Representatives, and Independent Experts.  Tuesday and Wednesday, I met with a client who needed photographs of a gunshot wound, retouched and printed four of the pictures so that they could be sent to her lawyer, and wrote a report to go with them.  We had a fantastically successful potluck lunch for Alexis' last full day at CST on Thursday, which was attended b about 18 people, including two clients.  Today I will be sitting in on file reviews so that I can learn about the filing and documentation process.

Cheers!

Mary

WOW the summer!

Well, may I say, it has been quite a summer! I have thoroughly enjoyed everyday while at CST and I am so thankful for all of the experiences. Through the ExxonMobil CSJP program, I was granted an awesome opportunity to work at a great place with great people. I am going to be extremely nostalgic when school starts again and I won't be at CST everyday. I am happy I was given the job of planning the annual June 26 UN Day as well as working with those around me on development. This week has been fun and a bit sad because a lot of us will be done with our summer at CST soon, but that's not to say our relationship with CST is over. =) Yesterday, we had an awesome potluck and it was literally like Thanksgiving and I felt very blessed. Also, it has been amazing to see all the great things going on with clients lately. Ashley and Brad have been a fantastic job finding homes and support for clients. I'm going to miss it here. I'll have to come back even when I'm done to see Mary. And everyone else. Haha. I'm going to miss everyone. Thanks for reading and the best of luck to all!

Signing out.

Tania

Mary's back to work...

I returned to my internship at Center for Survivors of Torture last Monday, July 13.  On Friday the 17th, I had to organize and edit the photos I had taken for a client whose case is going to court within the next two months.  As part of the process, I had to work on the program Apple iPhoto in order to reduce glare and picture saturation in order to make the pictures printable.  I tested both home printing on photo paper and professional printing, and the professional printing was significantly more visible.  The pictures that resulted had more depth of color and detail, and were decidedly worth the extra cost.  The following Monday, I wrote a report for the client's lawyer to go along with the pictures.

Post UN Day

Yay! UN Day ended up being awesome! Despite all of my panicking, we had a great crowd and there was more than enough food! I am happy it is over, but at the same time, I had a blast doing it and I would totally do it again. Now that all of that is over, Brad and I will be helping out with the upcoming October 26, Tenth Anniversary Dinner. I will aid in compiling the contact list for the event as well as continuing to work with advocacy. Sorry it's been so long since I've updated!

Tania

UN Day

Hey all, UN day went incredibly well! Clients from all around the world came out and celebrated the June 26th event. There were guest speakers and an award ceremony recognizing outstanding volunteers. In addition, there was excellent ethnic dishes cooked by the clients. Food, music, and good people....success!Now we have begun work on supporting the Torture Victims Relief Act and preparing for the October 26th event.

Brad

This Friday!

Ahhhh UN Day is this Friday! I'm doing last minute preparations this week. I'm pretty excited though! Mr. Lon Burnam from the Dallas Peace Center is coming out as well now! And I have food donated from all kinds of places. Invitations are out and now I am in the process of creating the programs! I'm looking forward to see how it goes,and I will be sure to give a report the week following!

Tania

Mary, June 9

I returned to Austin on Wednesday of last week to prepare for a mini summer class, and I will be away from CST Dallas until July 13.  Since I got here, I have been catching up on my required reading and have been searching for additional articles in professional journals that I have access to through the university.  Although it's good to be at home for a bit, it will be good to get back to CST and continue work up there!