In this edition of our “Member Spotlight” blog series, we interviewed Derek Santiago, Hartford Program Manager at Public Allies. Public Allies Connecticut is a program that partners with nonprofit organizations across Connecticut to create new leaders within our communities. Their mission is to develop youth leaders to strengthen our communities and to make a positive social impact.

Tell us about Public Allies.

“Public Allies is under the AmeriCorps umbrella of national service. It’s grounded in the phrase “Everyone Leads.” We believe leadership is an action anyone can take, not a position few can hold. We provide opportunities for people of all backgrounds to not only make a difference in their community, but also to further develop themselves personally and professionally. The Public Allies signature AmeriCorps Ally Program identifies diverse young adults and prepares them for leadership through paid full-time nonprofit apprenticeships and rigorous leadership training.”

What is Public Allies’ mission? Given that the organization has been around for more than two decades and accomplished a lot, where do you see it heading next?

“Public Allies’ mission is to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it. We are changing the face and practice of leadership in communities across the country by demonstrating our conviction that lasting social change results when citizens of all backgrounds step up, take responsibility, and work together. Personally, I hope to see Public Allies continue to expand both within Connecticut and nationwide. I’m also interested in seeing how just as our mission has evolved over the years, perhaps our methods and program models will change as well.”

What is RYASAP and how is it connected to Public Allies?

“RYASAP stands for Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (I still have a hard time with that when put on the spot!). Public Allies has been in Connecticut for about 12 years. Most Public Allies sites all over the country have an operating partner. That is what RYASAP is to us. It is very much thanks to RYASAP Executive Director Bob Francis that Public Allies was brought to CT in the early 2000s. They provide a great network to nonprofit agencies in CT and also handle other business for us like payroll, fundraising, and connecting us to resources.”

Why be based out of Hartford? What is it about this city and other areas where you operate that make them ripe for your expertise?

“Well, in Connecticut, we primarily operate in the three cities with arguably the most need – Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. Connecticut has such striking economic gaps when you compare a city like Hartford to a town like West Hartford. Or compare Bridgeport to Fairfield. Connecticut has the largest income gap and there are more concentrated areas of poverty here. That’s where we come in. Our Allies serve in capacity building roles at local nonprofits making real impact. Allies work in such a range of issue areas from poverty, education, homelessness, the environment, food access, etc.”

What makes Public Allies’ Ally Program unique from other Apprentice programs?

“First thing I would say is the diversity, and I mean that in every sense. Some other AmeriCorps programs require their members to have college degrees, for example. We don’t necessarily. In fact a big part of what we do is to seek out those that are disconnected from resources and opportunity, so folks that are non-degreed or unemployed. It’s so interesting because we might have one person straight out high school and this is their first job experience. Then, we’ll have someone right next to them in the program that has their Masters or PhD. They learn equally from each other because of the experiences they bring to the table. Another aspect is our training curriculum. We have plenty of standard professional development type trainings covering things like public speaking, volunteer engagement, and event coordination. In addition we are very intentional about creating the space for courageous conversations on diversity, power, and privilege. We’re sending these individuals into the communities to make real impact. We believe it’s important they have an understanding of circumstances that lead to why the services are needed, also the language to connect with diverse populations.”

What are some examples of students who have completed this program and continue their success in the nonprofit and public service areas?

“It’s funny because I always say to people that Public Allies are everywhere and nobody knows it! Not only current serving Public Allies, but alumni of the program, too. Many of our graduates remain in the nonprofit sector here in the community. Very often, an Ally will get hired on at their placement organization. Off the top of my head, in Hartford we have alumni working at organizations like Knox Inc, Hartford Food System, The Discovery Center, The Village for Families & Children, Center Church, Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, Our Piece of The Pie, and more. Graduates have also gone on to continue their education in fields related to the nonprofit sector. I notice we have a lot of alumni who have recently finished or are almost finished with their Masters in Social Work.”

What does a day-in-the-life of Derek Santiago consist of? What does your team look like?

“Usually I spend my time meeting with the Hartford Public Allies individually or as a group at Team Service Project planning meetings. We have a Program Manager in each of our three cities, and one of our functions is to coach our members throughout the program. We want to ensure success not only during their service term, but set long-term goals as well. Our staff is also responsible for delivering weekly trainings to the cohort, so those take some preparation on our part. We hold staff meetings weekly in our New Haven office. When I’m not doing any of that, you can find me at ReSET usually quietly responding to emails or pacing around on phone calls because I can’t sit still.”

What advice would you give an upcoming apprentice?

“’Trust the process’ is a phrase that gets used a lot by our Allies! We have a tried and true program model that we believe in. It is unique. It challenges you. It is truly transformative. I have the good fortune not only of this being my third year on staff, but I’m also an alum of the program (class of 2012 and 2013). Public Allies totally changed the trajectory of my life. That’s no exaggeration.”

To connect more with Derek, visit:

http://www.publicallies.org/Connecticut.htm

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