Lauryn came to Urban Alliance with no desire to attend college. But while working with her mentor at the U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), Lauryn saw firsthand the kind of work she could do with a college degree. Seeing the good CMS does for others, and the incredible support she received from her mentor, also inspired Lauryn to give back to her community. She decided to apply to Baltimore City Community College to study human services. When Lauryn received her acceptance letter, her entire department at CMS threw her a surprise party, showing her just how much they were invested in her success. At that moment, she felt like she was truly part of the team, and her confidence and ability blossomed as a result. Lauryn’s newfound passion for helping others is already evident at Urban Alliance. She is volunteering her time at the Baltimore office, and even offered to donate some of her much-needed salary to further UA’s mission. At the end of her internship, Lauryn said she learned to “always stay focused and committed no matter what, because it’s all going to pay off in the long run.” UA certainly has paid off for Lauryn.
