Plot Twists We Never Saw Coming

A’mya Simpson is a Master of Science in Social Work student at the University of Louisville. This summer, she joined Highlands Community Ministries as an intern, supporting our Individual & Family Assistance Program, Senior Services, and Food Pantry. Below, she reflects on her time at HCM and the unexpected impact the experience had on her personal and professional journey.

If I’m being honest, I didn’t end up at Highlands Community Ministries (HCM) by choice—I landed here by mistake. When I first got my placement, I had every intention of switching it before the summer semester began. My goal has always been clear: I want to pursue clinical social work, specifically in the mental health field. I imagined myself interning at Seven Counties or another agency directly aligned with that path. A nonprofit like HCM just wasn’t part of the plan.

But life has a funny way of redirecting us to exactly where we need to be.

From the moment I walked in, I felt something shift within me. There was a warmth in the air—not just from the weather, but from the people. I noticed how the staff interacted with one another and with clients. Every gesture carried care and intention. It wasn’t loud or showy, like they were trying to prove something. It was quiet, consistent, and real.

That moment made me realize I might be stepping into something bigger than I had imagined.

To say the least, HCM wasn’t what I expected. I assumed it was mostly a food pantry, maybe a small operation with limited impact. I couldn’t have been more wrong. HCM is far from a one-trick pony. There’s so much depth and heart here—more than I ever could’ve imagined.

I’ve struggled in the past with feeling like I belong in certain spaces, but that feeling never followed me through the doors at HCM. From day one, the staff welcomed me like family. I’ve felt seen, heard, and most importantly—valued.

Danah, in particular, has been a quiet force in my life. She runs the Individual and Family Assistance Program (IFAP) and the Senior Outreach Program. She probably doesn’t even realize how much of an impact she’s made on me. She’s put so much faith in me that I’ve had no choice but to start believing in myself. I remember taking notes on how to help clients with LG&E assistance, and just a few days later someone walked in. Danah turned to them and said, “She can take you!” In my head, I froze—but I knew she wouldn’t have said it if she didn’t believe I was ready.

She’s also supported me through a personal situation I was dealing with at home, offering not just professional guidance, but emotional safety. One afternoon, I found myself overwhelmed and in tears. Danah stood with me and talked. No pressure. No rush. Just presence. It meant more than she’ll ever know.

Her ability to show up for others is something I’ll carry with me into my own future practice.

As my time here winds down, I can’t help but reflect on the footprint I hope I’ve left behind. I created a cultural competency training to guide incoming volunteers on how to approach our clients with care and respect. I brought in new speakers for our senior center, helped with financial assistance, and worked in the food pantry. I’ve laughed with our seniors, learned from the staff, and rooted myself in this work in ways I never expected.

But more than any single task, it’s the relationships I’ve built that matter most.

Leaving at the end of July will be bittersweet. I’m excited to be one step closer to graduation and all the opportunities ahead—but it’s hard to say goodbye to this chapter. HCM was never in my plan, but it ended up being exactly what I needed.

Sometimes the best stories come from the plot twists we never saw coming.

— A’mya Simpson, MSSW Student