Leadership and decision-making are important skills “…not only in the field but even in life.” Our Rowan intern, Jair, said this about his growth since starting an internship with Wholesome Riches in 2024. For the past few years, Wholesome Riches has had the opportunity to partner with Rowan University’s Federal Work Study and offer intern positions to a handful of university students. These students seek out a place where they can be given meaningful tasks, have the chance to flex their interpersonal skills and grow personally. We have seen Jair accomplish all of those things and many more in the past few months!
Jair has had the opportunity to work alongside and invest in many students across several schools in Camden, confronting his initial fears of not connecting with them due to the age difference. His anxieties disappeared after serving week after week, and interacting with them consistently. He has even grown to enjoy investing and helping students, being there for the young men seeking connection and someone to look up to!
Jair’s love of his hometown of Trenton, NJ has expanded into Camden, after serving and interacting with so many community members and residents. This was a big step for him, but he has taken the challenge head on and was awarded a well deserved recognition, the “W.E.B. Du Bois Award” for service to the community at large and the overcoming of overwhelming obstacles. We couldn’t be happier for Jari to be recognized for his outstanding service, and for “rising to the occasion” in his commitment to lead.
We at Wholesome Riches have no doubt that his servant-mindedness and ability to grow will serve him well after graduation, and wherever God may lead him in his career and life! Congratulations Jair!