At Embrace Living Communities, our interns bring fresh energy, new ideas, and a passion for serving others. This summer, we’re excited to highlight Kaylie Hamernick, a rising junior at the University of Chicago who has been making a big impact through her work with our team.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself (school, degree you are pursuing)
Kaylie:
My name is Kaylie Hamernick. I am a rising junior at the University of Chicago, pursuing a degree in Cognitive Science with a minor in Neuroscience. I’m originally from the South Side of Chicago—Woodlawn specifically—where my parents ran a nonprofit community organization. As the youngest of seven kids in a predominantly African American community, I was shaped by both family and neighborhood dynamics, which influenced my academic and career interests.
Q: What drew you to apply for an internship with Embrace Living Communities, and what were you hoping to learn?
Kaylie:
Nonprofit work has always been part of my life. Growing up in a family that ran a nonprofit, everyone was expected to pitch in. I was especially drawn to Embrace because they serve communities like the one I grew up in. Affordable housing was always a topic of conversation at home, and I wanted to see what it would be like to contribute to an organization making such an impact.
Q: What has been the most valuable skill or experience you’ve gained during your internship so far?
Kaylie:
Since this is my first internship of this nature, I’ve learned so much. From understanding the grant application and research process, to improving my email communication skills, every task has been valuable. But the most meaningful experience came from interviewing residents. Hearing their stories firsthand gave me a new level of appreciation for Embrace’s work and motivated me to think of creative solutions to better serve them.
Q: Can you share a project you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?
Kaylie:
I’m proud of my work on a project exploring virtual reality for seniors. I researched the cognitive benefits—like improved memory and attention—as well as how VR can reduce loneliness. It was exciting to see how innovative approaches can directly improve residents’ quality of life, and it gave me a deeper understanding of nonprofit impact.
Q: How has this internship shaped your perspective on affordable housing and nonprofit work?
Kaylie:
This experience reinforced what I already believed about the importance of affordable housing, but it also broadened my perspective on serving aging adults. They are a population often overlooked, and Embrace’s work has shown me how powerful compassionate, inclusive support can be.
Q: What advice would you give to future interns considering this program?
Kaylie:
Be creative and persistent. Hearing “no” is part of the process when seeking funding support from companies with limited resources. But hearing “yes” is incredibly rewarding. Sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected places, so persistence and creativity are key.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
Kaylie:
I was nervous at first, putting a lot of pressure on myself to meet expectations. But I quickly found that Alina, Jennifer, and the Social Service Coordinators were nothing but kind and supportive. Their encouragement made me want to work harder, and I left this internship not only with skills but with strong relationships and a sense of pride in what we accomplished together.
Interested in becoming an intern at Embrace Living Communities?
Reach out to Alina Serban to learn how you can gain hands-on experience, make a difference in affordable housing, and join a supportive team.
Feel free to contact us for any future resident, current resident, or general inquiries.
