This month we welcomed Gerena Walker to our team as the Safe Routes to School Intern! Gerena is a senior at MSU studying Public Policy, with a focus on education and political economy. Gerena comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and skill and we are excited to have her on board. During her yearlong internship, Gerena will have a chance to support all facets of the SRTS network. We asked Gerena what she was most looking forward to in her new position, and she said:
“I hope that the result of me being in a physically healthy work space will enable me to become healthier – making better decisions with nutrition and being more active every day. Externally, I hope to learn more about the relationship between the government (grant funding and regulations) and nonprofits, while also being of service to the communities we will be servicing, helping with advice, resources, and events. Lastly, I hope that just with the experience of working in an upbeat, professional setting, it will be great professional development for my future endeavors. “
Gerena says that for her, staying active starts with eating right. “Whenever I am active and eat poorly, I feel the effect of it throughout my body, and the feeling is gruesome. Furthermore, staying active starts with my morning work outs at my local gym, and throughout the day I try to walk more, rather than driving. If time permits it with school, working, and my extracurricular activities, I try to go to the gym at night as well.”
In her spare time, Gerena enjoys catching up on TV shows, including her favorite “Once Upon a Time,”as well as watching educational documentaries. She also loves to read for fun “specifically black narratives, poems of womanhood, or books of ideology pertaining to civil society. “
Welcome, Gerena! We are delighted to have you join the team.