Fernanda Alcantara, a spring 2022 grad who majored in political science and psychology, has been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for nearly her entire life. As a kid, the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County was her second home. Last spring, Alcantara interned in the organization’s government relations office, continuing the work and advocacy she started in high school. This summer, Alcantara worked to set up the organization’s first-ever National Youth Advocacy Day from July 12-14, connecting teens from Boys & Girls Clubs across America with their legislators.
This past semester, I had the privilege to participate in an internship program with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s government relations office. When I first interviewed for the position, I thought it would be for the summer. Fast forward to my interview, I was told it would be a spring internship. At first, I was not sure how that would work. I was in my last semester at the University of Arkansas, working on my thesis, serving in multiple leadership roles including president of university programs, and trying to figure out my post-graduation plans. When I was offered the position as one of two interns, I knew this was an opportunity I could not turn down.
To give some background information on why this internship was so important to me, I need to start back when I was six years old. You see, I grew up as a “club kid.” The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County in Rogers, Arkansas was my safe haven from a rather difficult childhood. In my high school years, the club became my family. They provided me with an environment where I developed strong leadership, workforce readiness, and professional skills. I became the youngest Keystone president, leading my peers in meaningful community service projects and even receiving national recognition as the top Keystone Club in the nation. I was the first one from my club to make it to nationals and serve as the Southwest Youth of the Year where I served as a national spokesperson for the organization. This led me to receive the highest award that a club kid can receive, the Youth of the Year award. As a result, I got to advocate for the 4 million youth we serve. This internship allowed me to continue on that path while combining my passion for the club with my academic knowledge.
As a government relations intern, I gained an even more in-depth understanding of the advocacy and legislative efforts nonprofit organizations engage in to fulfill their missions. I also got insight into the internal work that must occur to advocate for policies that impact youth across the nation. In addition, I witnessed the impact and process of securing federal and state funding. One of my main projects was our annual National Days of Advocacy (NDOA) when our team brings in club staff and officials from around the nation to meet with their elected officials and to secure 21st Century Workforce, Youth Mentoring, and USDA Meal Program funding. My supervisors were extremely excited to have me on board since I am a seasoned veteran due to my Youth of the Year experience. I truly enjoyed my internship experience with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and they did too. They even offered me a paid position after graduation! Once I graduated, I prepared for my move to Washington D.C. to finally be in person with my team. I’ll continue working with the government relations team until I begin my fellowship with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in New York. A project I’m currently working on is our first-ever National Youth Advocacy Day (NYAD). Teens from clubs across the nation will come to D.C. in July to learn about advocacy and attend meetings where they can share their club experiences with their elected officials. In addition, I am also in the process of translating important advocacy documents into Spanish to help eliminate the language barrier between clubs.
My government relations internship with Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been an incredible experience that has opened a world of opportunities for me. It’s also very humbling and full circle to have grown up as a club kid, and now I get to advocate for kids like me. This experience would not have been possible without the Honors College grant I received, and I will always be extremely thankful for the financial support.