Thrive DC is so excited to introduce our fall Social Services Intern, Kathleen Sprow!

Kathleen comes to Thrive from the University of Georgia (go dawgs!). She is a senior majoring in health promotion with minors in both Spanish and Health Policy and Management.

Kathleen chose to intern at Thrive because of its mission. She is passionate about Thrive’s purpose of providing low-barrier services to individuals in need. Kathleen studies health promotion, which explores how community advocacy and policy change can help individuals achieve greater self-sufficiency. These studies align well with the programs Thrive hosts every day. Additionally, the abundance of people using social services in Columbia Heights reminds Kathleen of the need to apply her classroom studies to real situations. Spending time in Columbia Heights made Kathleen want to work for an agency like Thrive that provides people with the resources they need to live a stable and thriving life.

We asked Kathleen what stands out about working with Thrive. She said that both the staff and the clients have been so impactful. The staff cares about the well-being of their clients and continues to make connections with them. The staff has also been welcoming, kind, and patient toward her as she takes on this new role. The clients have helped her understand the need for our services. Before this internship, she had not worked in a social services position and was unaware of the many issues that impact our clients. Now, this opportunity has opened her eyes to some of the problems vulnerable populations face.

As we move further into the fall, Kathleen hopes to learn more about the changing needs of our clients. She also wants to explore the policy changes that need to happen to protect vulnerable people from systemic issues. After she graduates, Kathleen wants to pursue a career in public health policy. In this role, she can apply the hands-on knowledge she has gained from her time at Thrive. Her long-term goal is to use public health policy to better protect and provide opportunities to vulnerable folks.

We’re excited to see the impact Kathleen makes, both at Thrive and in the future!