Q&A with Kailey Duffy, outgoing AmeriCorps intern

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Today, we sadly say goodbye to AmeriCorps intern Kailey Duffey. She has been a light in our office and has always been such a pleasure to work with. Here's what she had to share about her experience at Cascade:

Q: I know Cascade has offered AmeriCorps internships for a long time, but remind us how it works?

A: We work through Washington Service Corps. Everyone completes 1,700 over 10 months. We are provided a living-wage stipend and an educational award at the completion of the service.

Q: So what did your position as Community Programs Assistant entail?

A: I mostly helped with membership and outreach team, helped manage ambassador program and attended events. At events, we answered questions, let everyone know what Cascade does and helped plan bicyclists’ routes.

Q: What was your favorite thing about your experience this year?

A: Getting to talk to all different kinds of people. Working here I learned how diverse the cycling community is - we come in every shape and size. You just need a bike and you’re set. It was also great to talk with people who haven’t bicycled since they were a kid, we get to show them that it is for adults too and it is still fun.

Q: And most challenging?

A: When people come up to us at events and engage us in a hostile way, that can be tough. Also, being asked to be the spokesperson for all people bicycling - I can really only speak about my own experience. 

Q: Did you experience a shift in your own perspective on commuting/bicycling/recreational cycling/etc.?

A: When I first started at Cascade, I just had come back from working at an international school in Cambodia. In Cambodia, everyone uses the bicycle as a tool. They don’t worry about bike fit or carbon fiber; I was really excited about bicycling as a tool. Since starting here, I’ve seen all the ways how a bicycle can be used; it’s cool to see how you can tweak the tiny things and have a different experience. At the end of the day, I remembered my experience in Cambodia and in itself, the bicycle is a perfect machine.

Q: What are you most proud of from this year at Cascade?

A: I got to organize Dust off days with the other Americorps here, and we hosted a bike maintenance event with Velo Bike Shop. Velo provided labor for free and a lot of people brought their bike to be tuned-up. Most had ridden before, but just needed to dust off their bike and soup it up to ride again. I think it also removed the fear of going into a bike shop with your clunky bike; that’s definitely a barrier for many people.

Q: What do you recommend Cascade focus on next?

A: Access to bicycles is such a huge barrier. Something geared toward adults to provide access to bicycles for lower-income would be my recommendation. Pronto [Cycle Share] will help for access to a bike to commute on, but we still need to help folks with the recreational side of bicycling.

Q: One piece of advice you would give our incoming interns?

A: The unique thing about Cascade is that we have our hands in everything bikey in Seattle. My advice would be to advocate for what you are interested and dive into it. Think about what it is you like the most and go for it - the staff here will support you. Also, engage with the volunteers. They have been involved in the Club the longest and they know everything. They can answer all of your questions and they are the ones that keep coming back and making things happen!

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I will be starting soon at a startup called Pic Monkey as their new Product Support Specialist. I’ve worked for start-ups before and really like the environment at Pic Monkey. It feels like a good fit for me.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

A: Cascade has been a really good place. It has been a good place to grow, learn my own skillset. I’ve enjoyed my own independence and start my own projects. Big thanks to Cascade! It’s been great.

Q: Will we see you around?

A: Absolutely.

Check out Kailey’s first Pic Monkey, a bike shot below. I have a feeling we will be seeing many more beautiful bike Pic Monkeys from Kailey. 

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