Meet Tasha

Meet Tasha

Why did I decide to intern at Shopping for a Change?

Hello, my name is Tasha. I am a rising senior and an intern at Shopping for a Change this summer. The internship popped out to me when I was perusing the internships available on my school website. I immediately loved SFAC for the unique combination of fashion and philanthropy, but above all the company appealed to me because of its ability to bring this massive world we live in that much closer together. It unites women across the world. When purchasing an item in the comfort of your own home you can make a direct impact on a woman working across the globe in Africa, Asia, South America, really anywhere. I love travelling and experiencing new cultures. However, one of the thing that always shocks me while travelling is the poverty that I see in these countries that is unequalled in my local community. I have walked around a one room house in rural Peru where a woman supports a household of six, the Sowetos in South Africa, and a floating village in Cambodia where the houses are subject to floods every 10 months and have no running fresh water. In all the places the poverty is so tangible and I go around trying to think of ways that a sixteen-year-old like me can make a difference from my small home town. SFAC gives me a chance to help out Stacey Horowitz, who consequently helps out these women across the world rise out of poverty through fair trade. Hopefully this is stepping stone in the future of my work helping out our international community.

Favorite Item of Clothing?

If bracelets count as items of clothing, then I love bracelets. :) I try to purchase a bracelet from every location I visit and whenever I wear them I instantaneously get to remember the location that I purchased that bracelet from. If bracelets don’t count as a piece of clothing, then I would have to say leggings. They are the sneakiest clothing items. They are as comfortable as sweat pants, but can be made fashionable at the same time.

Favorite Gemstone?

Emerald! They are green and gorgeous!

My Fondest Travelling Memory?

I was visiting Peru with my family, when one evening after much arguing on mine and my sisters behalf my parents agreed to get up at 4:30 am to go to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise. We woke up with a great deal of effort and then had to wait in line for a bus for 45 minutes. We got on the buses that takes you to the top of the mountain and after 30 minute we were finally at the top. Then my sisters and I all sat down on one of the terraces and watched the sunrise over Machu Picchu. The sun crept over the jagged mountain tops as we sat at 7,972 feet above sea level admiring the combination of natures and human made beauty. It was unforgettable and well worth the argument the night before that convinced my parents that waking up that early was a necessity.

Meet Niki

Meet Niki

Hi everyone, I’m Niki, and I’m an intern at Shopping for a Change! Since I’ll be working for the organization for the rest of the summer, please allow me to introduce myself. Don’t worry, I won’t trouble you with a long-winded autobiography (though, I’ll admit, it’s quite tempting). Instead, I would just like to give you a couple facts about myself, and tell you why you have to deal with me for the next two months. :)

Grade?

11th/ Junior

Favorite Clothing Item?

My Fuzzy Socks. They are striped purple and orange, reach up till my ankles, and are super comfortable. I love wearing them around the house. (I would wear them outside too, if not for the laws of fashion that forbid wearing socks with sandals or flip-flops.)

Favorite Gem?

Amethyst. It’s purple and it’s pretty. Case closed.

Why I Decided to Intern?

Mid-way through 10th grade, as I was perusing through various internship descriptions, I was looking for two things: an experience to learn from, and a job that I would enjoy. With Shopping for a Change, I not only found what I was looking for, but I also gained the opportunity to make a difference. Conducting research on products, organizations, and countries proved to be eye-opening for me. I realized that Shopping for a Change supports one cause while supporting many: it supports the rise of women from poverty, but its reach extends worldwide. Through Shopping for a Change, I not only have the opportunity to learn in a fun, supportive environment, but also, and more importantly, to make a difference. Please keep shopping – because by doing so, you are making such a difference.

Meet Jessica

Meet Jessica

Why did I decide to intern at Shopping for a Change?

Heading towards my senior year of high school, I’ve collected a long list of internships and office work to put in my back pocket. I spent my summers typing away in company cubicles and working behind counters in various offices. Although I continue to appreciate the knowledge I’ve gained from these experiences, I wanted to do something different the summer before my final year of high school. I had talked to people who had interned at Shopping for a Change previously and decided to give it a try. On my first day, I went up to

Stacey’s (my employer) house and rang the doorbell. While I had at first tried to act overly formal and mature like I've had to do in my other internships, my job at SFAC turned out to be casual and more enjoyable than I had ever expected. After only one month of working here, I can now honestly say that I’m learning and making more of a difference than I ever had at any other internship I’ve been in. When I think back on my summer internship memories, I will most likely remember the delicious cheese and cracker platters, Stacey’s two energetic dogs, and having fun collaborating with the other interns.

Where have you always wanted to go?

Australia. When I was a kid my favorite animal was a kangaroo and I had always wanted to see one up close (especially if it was boxing). I would also like to see other exotic animals that live in Australia and see how the lifestyle is there.

Favorite flower?

I don’t really know the names of too many flowers, but I would say lilies.

Nicest thing someone has done for you?

For my birthday, my friend sewed for me an entire sock monkey stuffed animal herself out of pieces of colorful socks that she had. It looked so finished and professional that I assumed she had bought it from a toy store before she told me she made it herself. 

Favorite item of clothing?

I like sweats, converse, and striped sweaters.

Favorite Gem?

Sapphire, in honor of my first Pokémon Gameboy Chip.

Fondest travel memory?

I’ve been to Las Vegas more than 20 times in my life. My grandfather enjoyed gambling there so we always went with him on short family trips. It gave me time to hang out with my older sister and my cousin. Because we weren’t able to gamble, we found many other ways to amuse ourselves. There’s something about watching SpongeBob for hours in a bathroom and building huge pillow forts that makes very fond memories.