My Time as a Capitol Pathways Intern with Habitat Minnesota

As I begin to reflect on my journey at Habitat for Humanity Minnesota, I first want to extend my gratitude for the experiences and invaluable knowledge this organization has provided me with as I grow professionally and personally. I am Maegan Polanco, a junior at St Olaf College majoring in Political Science, Asian Studies, and Chinese.

Over the last four months, I have worked with Habitat Minnesota as the Policy and Advocacy Intern through the Capitol Pathways internship program. I gained invaluable knowledge through attending the MCCD Policy and Advocacy training, volunteering with the Rice County Habitat on a build day, working at the Minnesota State Capitol, and taking notes on the Housing finance and policy committee. 

Behind my success is Jeru Gobeze. Jeru was my supervisor, who, through weekly meetings, advised me on my assignments and guided me through events. In attending the MCCD training at the State Capitol alongside her, I was able to learn the key elements of giving a testimony in front of a committee. Often, one wants to ensure that one’s message is heard. Especially in front of the people who have the power to make a difference. Therefore, this training gave me and many others the tools necessary to ensure that our testimonies are effective in communicating our desires. Jeru, thank you for your support throughout this entire process. 

I also attended a build day with Rice County Habitat by volunteering with the St. Olaf Habitat student organization. Being on the site allowed me to see the benefit of being active in what you are advocating for. Thank you to every worker and volunteer on the site who allowed me to gain the experience of being on the ground and contributing to the Habitat for Humanity mission of creating and preserving affordable homeownership. 

Furthermore, I had the pleasure of working with the Habitat Minnesota team for Habitat on the Hill at the State Capitol. Visiting the Capitol during this time was the most enlightening aspect of my entire internship journey. My most significant lesson from this visit was that the space is yours to occupy. Being in the space where change is made, making our voices heard, and advocating for affordable homeownership showed me that the power is in our hands. Advocacy gives us the opportunity to fight for what we believe in, creating the space for change and progress. 

In addition to these experiences, I spent most of my time taking notes on the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. Through this work, I observed the process of making an idea a law. Ultimately, this strengthened my understanding of the Minnesota Legislature. I gained valuable insights into the legislative process and the efforts involved in advocacy.

Finally, thank you to the amazing team at Habitat Minnesota for making my internship experience better than I ever imagined. From my first day, you have embraced me with open arms and allowed me to flourish in my role as a Policy and Advocacy intern. Thank you for welcoming me into team meetings and giving me the opportunity to gain insights into the workings of this amazing organization. I leave Habitat for Humanity Minnesota with a passion for advocacy and a sense of gratitude for this unforgettable experience. 

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Interested in learning more about the advocacy work being done by Habitat Minnesota and the housing and homeownership policy at the legislature? Sign up for advocacy updates today: https://habitatminnesota.org/advocacy/