Caitlin Aitchison, Communications Manager

My name is Caitlin Aitchison and I’m a 3rd year communications and business administration student at Laurier. I became involved with CCRLA because I am passionate about social justice I find it inspiring that CCRLA’s research groups are able to work with community based organizations focused on creating positive social change. I am one of the two Communications Managers at CCRLA, and we are working along with the other interns and CCRLA’s director and coordinator to make the work of CCRLA’s research groups and information on our various events and workshops accessible to the Kitchener-Waterloo community. I am interested in pursuing further work in the non-profit sector after graduation, hopefully in a marketing or communications role, and I am always looking to find a way to give back to the community.

Gareth D’Costa, Development Intern

Gareth is in the final semester of completing a sequential degree in  the Honours Psychology-Research Specialist at Wilfrid Laurier University. With an initial degree from the Honour BBA program here at WLU, Gareth has since developed an interest in social psychology and community outreach. In starting law school at the University of Toronto this September, he hopes to pursue a career in Constitutional Law with the goal of advocating for marginalized groups of Canadian society. To this end, he is currently volunteering with the Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support in Kitchener assisting new comers as they navigate through a foreign legal system. He also recently completed a directed studies course with Dr. Mark Pancer on Youth Gangs and Outreach including working with the KW Crime Prevention Council initiative inREACH. Here at CCRLA, Gareth has taken on the position of Development Intern, assisting Director Dr. Manuel Reimer with the creation of a new post-graduate certificate program in Program & Process Evaluation. It is hoped that the program will be fully developed and begin accepting students in the winter of 2014. When not at school or volunteering, Gareth can be found spending time with his dog Oliver or experimenting with new cuisines and restaurants here in the KW area.

Katelyn Hodgson, Communications Manager

Hi my name is Katelyn Hodgson and it is a privilege to say that I am one of the Communications Managers for the Centre for Community Research, Learning and Action.  I learned about CCRLA through my studies at Laurier and as a student double majoring in Communication Studies and French, I am able to relate to the work of CCRLA’s research groups as well as happily fulfill my internship duties.  It is CCRLA’s dedication to advancing community well-being and social justice through community/university research and action that inspired me to be a part of the CCRLA team.  The work that CCRLA does is informative, innovative as well as extremely relevant and I feel honoured to be a part of the centre, promoting and recognizing the phenomenal work that CCRLA’s research groups accomplish.  As a student finishing a combined Communication Studies and French degree, it is not surprising that I love to read, write and interact with others.  Both areas of study provide many avenues of interest however I find that my interests lie in public/international relations as well as translating.  I hope to use my French in any career path that I follow as it is one of my passions.  This internship opportunity has provided me a place to exercise my skills in the field of communications but more importantly it has lead me to work with absolutely great people, on an unbelievable team.  Thank you CCRLA!

Madeline Salerno, Events Coordinator

Madeline has assumed the role of Events Coordinator Intern at CCRLA for the 2012/2013 school year. This position requires preparation for presentations and workshops that are hosted by CCRLA. Thus far, Madeline has arranged three presentations and one workshop that have succeeded to facilitate a comfortable environment for community members and the Laurier population. CCRLA events are advertised through visual posters, Laurier social media and calendars as well as online registrations. Madeline also provides complimentary beverages for attendees at each event. As a fourth year student studying a double degree in Psychology and Communication Studies, Madeline is hopeful that the skills learned at CCRLA will benefit her in the Public Relations field. After she graduates Madeline hopes to study a postgrad program in Public Relations.

Alexa Stovold, Development Support Coordinator

Alexa is completing her fifth year in the Honours Psychology-Research Specialist Program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Throughout her final year, Alexa discovered her passion for social and environmental justice, which fueled her motivation to complete her undergraduate thesis in this area. Due to her ambition and established research skills, Alexa was hired as CCRLA’s Development Support Coordinator in the fall of 2012. Since assuming this position, Alexa has worked diligently with the Director of CCRLA, fellow interns and key stakeholders to strategically plan CCRLA’s future direction. Alexa is very excited about CCRLA’s potential to benefit and enhance the Kitchener/Waterloo community. Throughout her internship, Alexa has demonstrated strong teamwork skills while also working to build community relationships and strengthen her professional abilities. She is grateful for her opportunity to work with such a great group of individuals, who make working on CCRLA initiatives so enjoyable. Once Alexa has completed her undergraduate degree, she hopes to continue working with CCRLA while also completing her Masters education. 

Christine Wolfl is a 4th year Psychology student with minors in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies.  Since taking on the role of volunteer at CCRLA last year, Christine has developed a passion for working at the centre and is now a Research Assistant for the Poverty Reduction Research Group as well as the Web and Information Technology Intern.  This keeps Christine very busy but she loves every second of it.  She opportunity to re-create the CCRLA website framework as well as assist with the communications strategy has helped Christine strengthen her web communications skills.  This will provide to be beneficial when she graduates from Laurier this term, hoping to attend a post-graduate program in Public Relations.  Working with CCRLA has been an excellent opportunity where Christine has been able to develop new skills, work in an amazing team and learn many new things and she would recommend this opportunity to anyone given the chance.