Mya Jones

Responsibilities

During my internship at Ronald McDonald House Charities, my main responsibility was to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for families with children receiving medical care. A big part of my role involved greeting families, assisting with check-ins, and making sure they had what they needed during their stay. I also helped restock kitchens and pantries, organize donations, and work alongside volunteers to prepare meals or activities. I assisted with coordinating and managing donation drop-offs, which meant keeping track of items, sorting them, and making sure they were stored where families could easily access them. I also worked on a special project to gather grief support resources and helped design a memorial element for the House, which will honor children who have passed away during their families' stay. Every day looked a little different, but my responsibilities always centered around being a helpful and compassionate presence for families while supporting the staff in keeping the House running smoothly.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship experience was creating a grief support brochure and developing a memorial initiative for families who had lost a child while staying at the Ronald McDonald House. The brochure provided resources in both English and other common languages, making it accessible to more families. I worked closely with staff to ensure the tone was compassionate and the information was helpful. This project allowed me to combine creativity with empathy, and it was meaningful to know that what I created could provide comfort and guidance to families during such a difficult time.

Learning experience

One of the greatest lessons I learned during my internship is the importance of empathy and presence when working with families going through stressful or emotional times. Sometimes, there isn’t a “fix” for what they’re facing, but being there to listen, offer small comforts, and show kindness can make a real difference. I also learned how important it is to set healthy boundaries while still being supportive. In a setting like Ronald McDonald House, you want to help in every way you can, but you also have to respect policies that keep everyone safe and ensure fairness for all families. Lastly, I learned the value of teamwork in a nonprofit setting. Every staff member, volunteer, and intern plays a role in keeping the House running, and it takes good communication and flexibility to make sure families get the care and support they need.

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students in Human Development and Family Studies is to take every opportunity to get hands-on experience. What you learn in class is important, but being out in the field is where you really see how those concepts work in real life. Internships, volunteer work, and job shadowing can teach you things you’ll never get from a textbook. I’d also say don’t be afraid to ask questions. People in this field are usually happy to share their knowledge, and asking questions shows that you care about learning and doing the job well. Lastly, keep an open mind. You might go into your internship thinking you know exactly what you want to do, but then discover new interests or strengths you didn’t realize you had. The more experiences you have, the better you’ll understand where you fit in this field and what kind of work you want to do long-term.