(Top Row, Left to Right): Kateria Frazer, Chericka Ashley (program administrator), Samantha Gulilat, Eulyce Eason (program director) and Shanese Dorsey; (Bottom Row, Left to Right): Leon Taylor and Joshua Eason.

Community Crusade Against Drugs of South Florida hires students to do what they love

You know the old saying "do what you love and you'll never have to work?" Several MDC students have taken that advice to heart during their time at Community Crusade Against Drugs (CCAD) of South Florida, Inc. Based at North Campus, the nonprofit drug-abuse prevention and education organization has been employing MDC students consistently for the last five years. In fact, 18 MDC students have gained invaluable experience at CCAD since 2004, and seven are currently onboard. More than 60 percent of these students were hired via the MDC Student Employment and Internship Opportunities Online Site.

Kateria Frazer, a 23-year-old English literature and education major who is originally from the Bahamas, has been working as a part-time prevention counselor at CCAD since July 2005. She clocks about 20 hours a week doing what she loves most: helping children with their academics as well as contributing to their cultural enrichment by exposing them to creative writing, music, dance and the arts.

"I have always had a passion for writing — I've been writing since I was 8 — and a love for children, so I decided to put the two together to develop my career," said Frazer.

Frazer said that MDC helped prepare her for the workplace with self-presentation workshops and other career-success courses she attended through Career Services. As far as her classroom experience is considered, she credits one professor in particular. "Professor Jennie Lundahl (LIT 2120) opened my eyes to a lot of different cultures and how we can apply them to our everyday life and job. She taught me to embrace my talent, which is writing, and it helps me to help the children to think out of the box by knowing that there’s more out there than what they have now, academically and materially."

Frazer will graduate from MDC in May and continue her studies at Florida Memorial University.

Samantha Gulilat, a 20-year-old Miami native, is taking three courses per semester at MDC while working as a part-time prevention counselor at CCAD. She is currently studying mass communications and journalism and is considering a minor in theater.

Gulilat has been at CCAD for nearly a year and a half and says that what she enjoys most is the safe haven the organization creates for children. "Our program helps children to do productive activities that will help them get a positive outlook; and, at our after-school program, we provide a place for them to do their homework, knowing that their answers are correct and completed. The organization feels like my second home; it’s a safe environment; we are able to expand our knowledge and give back to our community." Gulilat, who plans to graduate from MDC in 2012, says MDC prepared her for the workplace by teaching her presentation skills and to be punctual and professional. "I have gained so much knowledge at MDC and especially coming to work for CCAD. It has broadened my abilities. I have found who I am and what I would like to do, which is theater, using my mass communication, journalism and prevention-counselor experience."

Eulyce Eason, program director at CCAD, says that the strength of her MDC student employees lies in their ability to relate to the organization’s young population (kindergarten through fifth grade). "They have patience, they’re understanding and reliable. They’re a good example of higher-education role models; children aspire to be like them; they have the scholastic skills in speaking, reading, writing and math, and the analytical skills to help our children succeed."

Eason has some advice for MDC students who are interested in working at CCAD or other nonprofits, "Go for your goals with your personal skills or talent; strive for excellence and professionalism because community-based organizations like us need you.”

The Community Crusade Against Drugs is currently recruiting interns who would like to tutor or provide support in music, dance, art and creative writing. To apply for this position and 117 other employment opportunities, including 46 internships, log on to the MDC Student Employment and Internship Opportunities Online Site.

For more information about CCAD, visit http://www.ccadsf.org.

Community Crusade Against Drugs (CCAD) of South Florida, Inc. is a community-based, non-profit drug-abuse prevention and education organization, working with middle-school and high-school aged youth in Miami-Dade County. Initiated in 1982, CCAD serves a densely populated urban area, which is predominantly African-American and Hispanic. Focusing on low-income students and their families, CCAD provides education about the effects of drugs and addiction, promotes a healthy lifestyle and responsible uses of leisure time. CCAD’s programs target areas of Miami-Dade County which evidence the most tragic manifestation of drug abuse and addiction. CCAD’s programs also cover a wide spectrum, including recreational, educational, cultural, and leadership-development activities, appealing to a diverse population.