Bonus Spotlight #6: Rachel Wike
Meet our wonderful summer intern!
As we keep adding events to share the vision for CATHARSIS and attract generous donations, the behind-the-scenes work is quickly multiplying. One of our board members suggested that we might look for a volunteer intern to help, and in a wonderful instance of “Ask and ye shall receive,” the very first person I thought of responded with an instant Yes!
Recent college graduate Rachel Wike—whom you might recognize as a featured guest vocalist in some of our benefit concerts—has already started adding value to our organization. She’ll be the main person coordinating the logistics for our September art show & silent auction, and I’ve been delighted to find that she can quickly come up with solutions to tech issues that have stumped me for hours. She is creative, modest, conscientious, and full of helpful ideas.
Please read on to learn more about Rachel, and be sure to say hello to her at our next concert!
Tell us a little about yourself . . .
I was born and raised right here in Nashville, Tennessee, and just graduated from Tufts University in May. While I already miss the fast-paced intellectual atmosphere of the Boston area, I am so excited to be home in Nashville for the summer. I studied International Literary and Visual Studies, which is a fancy way of saying literature and film from all over the world. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, crocheting, and singing.
What excites you most about CATHARSIS?
I am most excited about being part of something so deeply needed and genuinely hopeful. CATHARSIS’s mission to expand access to mental health care is powerful, especially at a time when so many people are struggling and traditional systems often fall short. I’m inspired by the vision of the organization, but especially by the people behind it. Working with a team grounded in compassion and driven to create real change is incredibly motivating.
Why did you decide to serve as our summer intern?
When Laura asked me if I was available this summer to intern, I jumped at the opportunity. I’m always looking for ways to engage with the Nashville community, and this felt like the perfect way to spend my first summer out of college. I really believe in the mission of CATHARSIS—making healing and mental health care more accessible—and I’m excited to contribute in any way I can.
What are you most looking forward to about our journey these next few months?
I am most looking forward to all of the community engagement opportunities I will get to assist with. I already had the pleasure of singing at the first CATHARSIS benefit concert, which was such a treat. I am also very excited about the silent auction and benefit concert this fall. It’s really wonderful that supporting the CATHARSIS mission also involves art and music; I think these events will bring people together in a really beautiful way.