English class students broaden their experiences by working with local nonprofits

Though they approach the work they do from different angles, Beth Keller and the Fort Wayne nonprofits she works with through her English classes try to accomplish similar goals. The Purdue University Fort Wayne associate professor of English is encouraging her students to open themselves to the wider world, and the nonprofits help their clients take advantage of more of what the world has to offer.

In 2018, Keller started assigning students in her upper-level writing for multiple media and project management for writers classes projects to support some of Fort Wayne’s 400 or so nonprofit organizations. Groups of students are asked to assess things such as an entity’s website engagement or its marketing efforts, while also creating original content and offering suggestions.

“Several students I’ve taught in these classes over the years have gone on to intern and work for the organizations we’ve worked with, or ones with similar missions,” Keller said. “I want to help students create solid, experience-based portfolios and résumés that help them get the jobs they are qualified for. I’m all about seeing a need, making an opportunity for them to succeed, and then getting out of the way. The work they produce is brilliant!”

Keller also loves supporting nonprofits and understands the work they do. Her students get hands-on experience with these organizations and the people they serve.

One of those students was Renae Gaff, B.A. ’23, who interned last spring with Out of a Jam, which was founded in 2016 to train and certify participants in the culinary field. Through their food truck and gourmet jam products, the organization employs high school students so they can use those skills and have a source of income.

“I think just taking the initiative was a huge point of growth for me,” Gaff said. “It was a nonprofit I had not heard of before, and all of a sudden I’m interning for them.”

Gaff said she was impressed by the selflessness of co-founders Paula and Bernie Kaufman.

“I think that was one of the things that really struck me,” Gaff said. “They are able to see the needs, and then go meet them.”

Gaff worked on business strategy development, social media, and newsletters for Out of a Jam during her internship and sometimes pitched in on other projects and areas, as needed. From the experience, Gaff learned she didn’t want a career utilizing her social media skills. Learning what you are not meant to do can be as invaluable as finding a calling.

“When I was doing all the things, I understood that I really cared about some things and not as much about some others,” Gaff said. “It was a safe space to figure some of those things out.”

Gaff developed a continuing relationship with the Kaufmans, who said they’d be open to further collaboration with PFW.

“Renae was a delight to work with,” Paula Kaufman said. “The relationship and trust we have in Renae has grown into a true friendship. We know we could reach out for help and she would be right there, and we would do the same.”

Though working in social media is not Gaff’s career path, she still wants to be a writer and use her Teaching English as a New Language Certificate somewhere in the world. She’s already remotely taught students in Myanmar, Nepal, and the Philippines. The latter is where Gaff grew up. She yearns to travel, explore, and learn about the world there, though she loves PFW and Fort Wayne.

“I know there would be a part of me that would shrivel up and die if I didn’t leave and see what’s out there,” Gaff said. “There are more people for me to connect with, and I would love to do that. I want to go to a place where God wants me to be. For now, it’s Fort Wayne, but in the future, it could be anywhere.”