Wrap-up

During senior project, I have worked at a company called Alpha Workshops.  Alpha is an amazing non-profit that trains people with HIV/AIDS in the decorative arts, giving them the skills and direction that they need to get back into the work force.  While Alpha is identified as a non-profit, it also doubles as a business because the people at Alpha create and sell product.  They produce an array of home furnishings from wallpapers to fabrics to lamps.

From day one I was put into work mode.  Every day there was a new project, new tragedy, and new success.  The people at Alpha had me answering the phones, getting samples, designing a road kit, and promoting Alpha itself.  Along the way, they kept reminding me that I was able to say no to the jobs they gave me, and also that if there was anything I wanted to do I could tell them.  I never turned down a job only because I hope to one day be involved with design in some way.  That said, I appreciated how caring Alpha was, understanding that I was there to help them and therefore making sure my time was spent how I wanted to spend it.

Since I designed the road kit, I memorized all the wallpapers, faux finishes, and color ways of all of Alpha’s products.  This made getting samples for prospective buyers extremely easy, plus it allowed me to do a lot more with Alpha.  I was able to identify what we were out of, as well as talk about our biggest seller (Horizon).  For the faux finishes, my personal favorite was the faux marble.  This marble was used on the floor of Gracie Mansion, a fact which some of the newer employees didn’t even know!

Then I promoted Alpha through social networking.  I expanded both their Facebook and Twitter fan base as well as promoted various events Alpha was having by utilizing Facebook’s tools.  Every year Alpha has a benefit, which includes an auction.  Part of my job was soliciting auction items as well as sending out the invitations.  I addressed, stuffed, sealed, and stamped 3,540 envelopes in addition to hand addressing 65 envelopes where we asked for donations.  I also asked for donations over the phone, but for some reason my nerves took over (this included, “Hi, I’m with Hannah” instead of “Hi, my name is Hannah and I’m with Alpha Workshops.”)  Luckily, the people on the phone were generally very nice and laughed with me.

The people that make up Alpha are incredibly welcoming.  Every day I was invited to lunch, was asked to sit with them at the table, and asked my opinion.  They always remembered my name and smiled at me when I came in the room.  One thing that I thought would pose as a problem, but later ended up being an asset, was my lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS.  It became an asset because they were willing to teach me about what living with HIV/AIDS was like and I was told on multiple occasions that they were so happy I was interested in expanding my knowledge.  I thought of myself as ignorant but they looked at it as the younger generation investing time in a cause that has changed their lives forever.

D&D Building

My mom is the graphic designer for many of the showrooms in the Decoration and Design building on 3rd avenue and 59th street.  Because of this, I know many of the designers that Alpha works for.  The Design community is so close knit and everybody is linked together somehow.  Tonight I am going to the showroom opening of Andrew Miller who buys and resells antiques.  I’m really excited because I can promote Alpha as well as meet other designers.  One particular designer, Eric Cohler graduated from Hobart William Smith (where I will be going next year) and I met him once before when I helped out with the Donghia Foundation’s scholarship competition where he was a judge.  I hope to meet him again because he was really nice and now that I know where I’m going I’d love to talk to him about it!  I’ll post tomorrow about my experience there.

2 weeks left!

I’m sorry I haven’t gotten to post recently!  The past week I have been addressing, stuffing, stamping, and sealing 3,540 envelopes.  Its definitely been hard work but I love it because I sit in a very central location in the office to do this so everybody comes over and talks to me when they need a break from their work.  I’ve heard such an array of stories.  One thing that I really appreciate about the people here at Alpha is that they are willing to educate you on their illness, which they actually refer to as a blood disorder.  I definitely approached the topic with hesitance because I didn’t want to seem ignorant or rude, but they encourage me to ask questions about it.  One of the main things I learned that changes the way I see HIV/AIDS is that HIV is based on a series of numbers.  The higher your number, the less contagious you are.  Once your number reaches zero, it means you have AIDS.

I really wish I didn’t have to leave in 2 weeks, but I know I can come back any time and feel welcome.  I don’t work on Fridays and last Friday I came in to get some papers and everybody said “HI HANNAH!!” as if they hadn’t seen me in years and then they gave me a piece of cake.  I think I can work with that!!

I’m beginning to think about my presentation and I’ve realized that there is no way to explain how welcoming and wonderful Alpha has been to me.