Letters from the Lunchroom

S1 E16: Ras Smith - It's Normal Not to be Normal

Episode Summary

In this episode, we talk with Ras Smith of Waterloo, Iowa. Ras was previously a Site Coordinator for Communities In Schools of Mid-America before transitioning to a consultant role when he took on the responsibilities of Iowa State Representative for House District 62. Ras shares the differences in these two ways of working with CIS of Mid-America, as well as the ways in which is life turned out very different from what he imagined growing up.

Episode Notes

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools of Mid-America, a non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. As someone who has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years, Victoria Partridge knows that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and she wants to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, Victoria connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Ras Smith of Waterloo, Iowa. Ras was previously a Site Coordinator for Communities In Schools of Mid-America before transitioning to a consultant role when he took on the responsibilities of Iowa State Representative for House District 62. Ras shares the differences in these two ways of working with CIS of Mid-America, as well as the ways in which is life turned out very different from what he imagined growing up.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at victoria.partridge@cismidamerica.org.

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America.

Credits: Victoria Partridge (host) | Camille Abdel-Jawad (audio engineer)

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks