Fina Kaminski: Shifting Perspective in Community Efforts
As a Co-Operative Marketing Intern for Veggielution, I have been able to push the boundaries of my comfort levels while engaging deeply with the San Jose community. Coming from New York, with a concentration in Finance and Economics, I was unsure of how I would be able to familiarize myself with marketing skills compared to the technical practice I performed in other internships.
Upon joining the Veggielution team, I was immediately soothed by the nurturing environment and guidance of my superiors. I’ve heartily enjoyed practicing my less-nurtured skills in graphic design, offering an outlet to my creative side. My work in assisting the incubation of a newly formed co-operative has allowed me to pair technical data analyzation skills with creative design to generate fliers and infographics used for research, funding attempts, and tools for future program participants. It is especially rewarding to be able to offer my services to members of the development workshops, which focuses on teaching fundamental business skills and formation of co-operatives to future co-operative members in efforts to generate opportunities for additional income.
Being a part of the Veggielution team has been inspiring, for it offers me the chance to engage directly within the community. I have been able to join in on community events such as First Saturday and the Farm Box Program where members of the community and team come together for events at the Veggielution farm in Emma Prusch Park, volunteering for tasks such as field work, irrigation planning, native vegetation restoration, and much more. I have been able to get involved alongside other volunteers, by participating in farm box packing, breaking down unused planting structures, and helping whenever possible at the farm stand. I’ve enjoyed the duality between community and corporate, such as switching from volunteer work to joining in on free Zumba sessions offered to attendees, as well as the community joining together at the end of First Saturday for a delicious meal prepared by Eastside Grown graduates, showcasing the skills of their cooking business they have nurtured through the support of Veggielution.
My role as a Fellow and a member of the Veggielution team has enabled me to reflect on the effects my actions and work have on the community through tangible events and relationships with the Veggielution team and broader community. I am incredibly grateful for this chance to learn and give back to the California community that has welcomed me so well! I look forward to continuing my learning journey in the months to come.