All News & StoriesCCA staff are living up up to our “we grow with you” tagline this summer as we explore new skills and expanded interests. Discover what we’re up to below!
Julie, Program Resource Manager
I am finally learning to quilt…unsupervised! I come from a family of quilters, and, although I know how to sew, I have never been able to finish a quilt start to finish without help. The final step in the process that I will be learning to do this year is binding the quilt.
Rosy, Multicultural Family Engagement Specialist
What began out of necessity has quickly grown into a genuine passion. Over the past year, I’ve been gradually learning Haitian Creole, but it’s in the last four months that I really started challenging myself. Thanks to CCA’s generosity, I was able to take an online introductory course that deepened not just my understanding of the language, but also my appreciation for the rich culture and history of our incredible Haitian community. That experience motivated me to start reading (at a very basic, preschool/kindergarten level), writing, and speaking more Haitian Creole—both at community events and in my personal life. I’m especially thankful for my coworker, Eunice, a native speaker, who has been incredibly patient with me as we communicate in the language together. I’m deeply grateful to CCA for nurturing this growing love of Haitian Creole—and, of course, for their unwavering support of the Haitian community.
Lane, HR Manager
Last year, I bought a knitting machine and began working with it to make simple projects like beanies and scarves to gift at Christmas. Now I am learning how to expand to following patterns for other things like blankets, hats with pictures, baby cocoons, and stuffed animals. I would also like to learn how to crochet to make borders around the edges of projects.
Sarah, Community Engagement Specialist
The skill that I’ve been working on and continue to make efforts to grow in is developing the ability to mobilize people for driving collective efforts toward justice. It involves coordinating events, building networks, and inspiring others to take part in meaningful change. This kind of leadership can turn ideas into impactful movements!
Lauren, Family Engagement Specialist
Over the past two years, I have been developing and trying to master seed-starting. Figuring out the right timing, light, and soil has been a fun little challenge. It’s pretty cool seeing those first sprouts pop up and taking care of my little baby plants—definitely learning as I go!
Sylvia, Program Resource Navigator
My newfound enjoyment for working out is a renewed interest. I have never in my life decided to join a gym, but a couple months back I started going to the gym and I love it. I am starting to build up stamina and would like to work to build up strength as well! This may seem like a tiny thing, but I am genuinely excited for new skills I will gain from attending the gym.
Kristin, Communications Manager
It may not a particularly useful skill, but I can currently name (and tell you at least a little fun fact about) all of the kings and queens of England in order, starting with William the Conqueror! A while back, I watched the White Queen, which was set during Edward IV’s reign. I found myself wanting to learn more about the next monarch and the next and the next. So, I either read a book or watched a film/show about each king/queen in order, circling back after King Charles III to William the Conqueror. I just finished with Henry VI, so I decided to jump back to the very beginning with Boudica and will see how far I get through the Anglo-Saxon kings.
