Note: We recently interviewed Courtney Campbell, a past Jayme’s Fund for Social Justice intern. Read more to learn about the work she did with Jayme’s Fund and the effect it has had on her since.
My name is Courtney Campbell (she/her), and I’m from Stoughton, Massachusetts. I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in 2020 with my bachelor’s degree in justice studies and psychology. I currently work as an administrative assistant at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in the child protection unit. I’m very excited that I got into graduate school for this upcoming fall semester, and I will be attending Simmons University to obtain my master’s in social work.
I qualified for the work study program at SNHU, and I was able to spend my senior year working and interning for Jayme’s Fund.
My internship at Jayme’s Fund was memorable, and I am so grateful I was able to have this experience. Unfortunately, my time interning was cut a little bit shorter than expected due to COVID. Still, I was able to work closely with Caren Rifkin (Jayme’s Fund’s founder and director), attend one event, and be involved in many aspects of the organization, where I learned a lot about social justice issues and how a nonprofit functions.
Even though I never met Jayme, through this organization created in her memory, I feel like I know the type of person she is. Loving, caring, and wanting to help others in any way that she can, especially those who are disenfranchised. She was also really smart and artistically creative. From everyone I met through this organization that knew her, I got to know her. Caren, Jayme’s mom, was an amazing mentor and a wonderful person. It only makes sense that she is Jayme’s mom. She wants to make sure that Jayme’s memory lives on through this organization, and it surely does.
Jayme’s Fund has affected my career. I now have an even greater passion for helping others. I always knew that was the career I wanted to go into, but after working for Jayme’s Fund, I realized that I wanted to get involved more and give back more to my community. I was able to see more clearly how to do that. During my time working for Jayme’s Fund, I learned that life is very short and precious. I appreciate every day and stay as positive as I can.
I connect with Jayme’s story because of my desire to help others. I have heard many stories about Jayme, and I was inspired by her passion and courage. I want to be able to do that too. Caren definitely has influenced me to go back to school and get my master’s degree so I can help more people in this world. I am very grateful that I have had the chance to work for this organization and keep Jayme’s memory alive. I hope to inspire the Jaymes of the world too!
Note from Jayme’s Fund: We are grateful for you, Courtney, and so appreciative of your contributions to Jayme’s Fund. We know you will help a lot of people and make an impact with all who are fortunate enough to be touched by your caring and compassion!
Want to learn more about Courtney and stay connected? You can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-campbell-a3b4bb183/
Image Description: Courtney Campbell, a white woman with brown hair, looks over her shoulder, smiling, at the camera. She wears a burnt orange colored coat. She stands in front of a wooden railing with the word UKRAINE carved into it. Beyond her the sun paints colors below the clouds, illuminating the ocean and a city skyline with a ferris wheel.
