BY LIESBETH VERHERIJEN

PALS Program Intern

The PALS Staff would like to give a special thank you to Liesbeth for her tremendous work and dedication for our mission at PALS. Her hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm have been invaluable to the team. We are so appreciative of her! Read her reflection and “Why PALS?” to learn about her efforts this winter.

Dear PALS family,

My name is Liesbeth, and I recently completed a 2 month long internship at PALS. Time has flown, and I honestly feel like I just started. However, as I look back, I am quite frankly astonished by all of the work I have done so far. Coming into this internship, I had a really open mind. I had no idea how PALS functioned outside of camp, what I would be doing, or how I’d contribute. I was missing PALS, so I was just glad they agreed to let me be an intern in the first place!

I first got involved at PALS back in 2019 as a junior in high school. I was pretty involved with the disability community in my town, and a friend of mine who had been to PALS in the past as a Partner mentioned it. When I found out what PALS was and their mission, I knew I wanted to get involved.

After one week at PALS, I found PALS was a community I needed to keep in my life. When COVID hit the next year, I was heartbroken. I was happy to participate in the Virtual Program in 2021 though! Lucky for me, my internship has only made my connection to PALS grow stronger.

Over the past two months, I have gained a better understanding of the tremendous amount of effort that goes into the organization - it is truly amazing. As an intern, I have helped with Peer, Partner, Media, and Medical Volunteer recruitment. I’ve met with new Participants and their families. I have worked on The Congratulations Project, and have been filled with joy every time I read a letter. Lastly, I have even developed new ways to support Peers while at camp that will be implemented this summer!

Every day I spent with PALS, I was reminded of the reasons I fell in love in the first place. PALS truly has the magical ability to create a space that is universally inclusive, fun, and accepting. I have always felt fully embraced and loved at PALS whether at camp, virtually, and interning. I hope that anyone who is a part, has been, or is becoming a part of this wonderful community feels the PALS love as I have.

PALS love,

Liesbeth