Community Champions

We Are the Champions!

My Internship Experience at Community Building Services
By Zackary DeLong

My time as an intern at Community Building Services (CBS) has been nothing short of amazing. From the very first day, I felt welcomed into a mission-driven organization that truly lives its values—empowerment, inclusion, respect, and collaboration.

I was lucky enough to be told about the Community Champions program by my advisor at the University of Utah toward the end of my sophomore year. The Community Champions program helps pair up University of Utah students with non-profit organizations throughout the Salt Lake City area. The goal of this program is to assist the organizations in community growth while the students learn valuable business skills in the real world.

Throughout the internship, I had the opportunity to engage directly with programs that truly make a lasting impact on families and individuals in historically marginalized communities.  These projects included crafting a 25+ age employee handbook, collaborating on applying for and writing the Youth Advocacy Pilot Project Grant, crafting flyers, sponsor requests, press releases, and much more.

Whether I was contributing to project planning, assisting with event coordination, or supporting outreach efforts, I always felt that my work mattered. I learned how grassroots change is built through trust, consistency, and a deep understanding of community needs.

My favorite part of this internship was the impact that I felt I made. This is an organization that truly makes a difference in people’s lives for the better, and I was fortunate enough to experience this firsthand.

What made this experience so meaningful was the mentorship and guidance I received from CBS staff, particularly Tek Neopany. His willingness to invest in my growth—professionally and personally—taught me how strong leadership, when grounded in compassion and integrity, can create real and lasting impact. I gained skills in communication, cultural responsiveness, nonprofit operations, and community engagement that I know will serve me well in any career path I pursue.

Most of all, I am grateful for how this internship helped me grow. It deepened my understanding of equity and service, sharpened my sense of purpose, and expanded my confidence in navigating professional spaces. CBS didn’t just give me tasks to complete—it gave me a platform to contribute, learn, and lead.

I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and proud to be a part of the CBS family. I leave this internship more inspired than ever to carry forward the spirit of community building in all I do.