Today we are introducing the newest member of the CYC family, and as it turns out, that person is me. Hi, I’m Rob, and I am the new CYC intern. My job is pretty much the best. I get to work with Katie and Lori five days a week, and two of them I’m helping tutor some awesome kids from the Mizizi Maji Mentoring Program at the Baxter Community Center. The rest of the time I do anything from make spreadsheets, to write newsletters, to write blog posts about myself. And on top of it all, I don’t even have to make the coffee; although that’s probably because I don’t know how. To get to know a little more about me, check out this interview I had with myself.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with the CYC?
That is a tough one. The kids at Baxter are pretty much hysterical. Then again working in an office with Lori and Katie can end in spontaneous uproarious laughter as well.
What do you do when you’re not volunteering?
I go to school full time as and English major, so that takes up a good bit of my life. I also love to read classic literature and watch movies that really challenge our vision of the human condition. Nothing better than someone taking the way you view your life and turning it on its head through an incredible work of fiction.
What is your favorite book?
I would probably say The Great Gatsby, but The Sun also Rises would be a close second.
What is your favorite food?
Mexican food, any kind: tacos, burritos, nachos, chiles rellenos, ohhhh chiles rellenos. It doesn’t matter if it’s fast food in Michigan or pork tacos from a street vendor in Monterrey, Mexico, it’s all delicious.
Where are you from?

I was born and raised on the west side of Cleveland. I am in love with Grand Rapids, but I miss Cleveland a lot. I’m a die-hard Indians, Browns, and Cavs fan. Oh and Great Lakes Brewing Company is the only brewery I enjoy more than Founders.
Do you have any pets? If so, would they be the protagonists or the antagonists in a story?
I have no pets, but I find myself really missing my sister’s dog Molly, so we’ll say yes so I can answer the second part of the question. Molly would be the protagonist for sure, probably a rogue cop that was going outside her jurisdiction to hunt down a lowlife squirrel.
If you could be any superhero, who would it be?
I would have to go with The Beast from X-men. Philosopher, Doctor, blue hairy judo chopping ball of death, yup that sounds like me.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Teacher, rapper, microbrewer, who knows? More importantly when is it that I have to grow up?
Is there anything else that is important for the whole world to know about you?
I haven’t shaved in five years, definitely trimmed, but never shaved. They grow up so fast, you know? One minute it’s just a little scruff, the next minute people are calling you Hagrid in the grocery store.