Name: Nora Hugo
Class Year: 2026
Major: Sociology
Minor: Spanish 

Internship Organization: Mother & Child Education Center
Internship Title:  Summer Intern
Location: Portland, OR

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

Mother & Child aims to support all families with children under 5 years that come to us. From diapers and wipes to maternity clothes to carseats, we receive and give out donated items, hoping to fill in the gaps for families who may not be able to afford these needs. Being a no-barrier organization means that, as long as we have the items they need, we are able to materially support anyone who comes to our door, regardless of their situation. More than the supplies we give out, we support clients with empathy and knowledge–aiming to give them information about local resources along with skills to help them raise their children. As an intern, I work alongside a small team, learning from them every day about the ways we can support our clients.  

Why did you apply for this internship? 

I applied for this internship because I wanted to do work that felt meaningful, and day-to-day tasks that felt fulfilling. I wanted to learn more about the Portland community and its needs, and I wanted to work with families and children. This internship has provided me with opportunities to meet these goals and learn more about what kind of work I want to do. Not only do I think the mission of Mother & Child is important, but I enjoy the work that I do every day and directly see its impact on clients.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I wanted to do work that felt meaningful, and day-to-day tasks that felt fulfilling. I wanted to learn more about the Portland community and its needs, and I wanted to work with families and children. This internship has provided me with opportunities to meet these goals and learn more about what kind of work I want to do. Not only do I think the mission of Mother & Child is important, but I enjoy the work that I do every day and directly see its impact on clients.  

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship? 

We try to schedule appointments primarily, but we do receive a lot of walk-ins as well. This means that we never know what a day is going to look like, and I have had to learn to balance my time very intentionally. Choosing which projects to work on during downtime, managing a rush where we have clients walking in and phones ringing, and knowing when to ask for help and when to figure something out myself has been a continual challenge–but one that I have been able to meet so far. Having to think about the way I use my time is an important skill, and one that I continually work on–at my internship and in the rest of my life. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

Mother & Child is a nonprofit organization, funded by grants and stocked with donations. The nature of being completely donation-based is that often, we do not have the exact items that people are looking for. So, I get excited when someone wheels in a new stroller for donation, or when we receive hygiene items that we have in stock less often, or find the perfect toy for a kid who comes in with their parent. Those moments when we don’t have certain items make me appreciate them even more when we do have them, and being able to give someone an item that is hard to find feels so rewarding, even more so when I realize how much stress is alleviated just by not having to look for an item elsewhere.