Transparency
When Joe Wang first visited Plantable Redding, he wasn’t there because of a passion for plants.
Instead, he was there to support a friend with disabilities who was performing at one of Plantable’s popular “Nights at the Nursery” events. What Joe discovered that evening would eventually lead to an internship that helped him build confidence, develop professional skills, and make a meaningful impact on the community.
“I fell in love with the cozy atmosphere, the environment, the plants, all that,” Joe said. “I love what they do with the special needs community.”
Joe is in a P.I.P Paid Internship Program supported and facilitated by Impact Solution, which serves as the Job Development Agency. Impact Solution developed the P.I.P placement with Plantables and navigated the conversations for the P.I.P placement. They now also provide job coaching as needed to support Joe’s successful P.I.P. The internship is for up to 1040 hours or 365 days, whichever comes first.
The Regional Center funds the supports: job development, job coaching, and the client’s wage for the duration of the P.I.P.
After learning more about Plantable’s mission, Joe connected with Impact Solutions and expressed an interest in using his marketing skills to help the organization grow. Together, they worked to create a unique internship opportunity that aligned with his talents and interests.
Turning Creativity Into Community Impact
Joe joined Plantable Redding as a marketing intern, bringing with him experience creating long-form content for YouTube. While he expected to work behind the scenes editing videos, the internship quickly challenged him to expand his skill set.
“I thought I would just be the editing guy,” Joe said with a laugh. “I did not expect to be the person doing a lot of the short-form content where I promote the place and make it a better place for people to come enjoy the different events that we do.”
Throughout his internship, Joe became the creative force behind many of Plantable’s social media promotions. He filmed and edited Instagram videos, designed flyers, promoted community events, and even reached out to local businesses seeking donations for fundraising efforts.
One of his most popular projects featured humorous skits in which he played multiple characters to promote upcoming events.
“I try to be as genuine as possible,” Joe said. “I don’t make content to be popular. I make content because I feel like it will bring value to the community.”
His videos helped spread awareness about Plantable’s programs and events while showcasing the welcoming atmosphere that originally attracted him to the organization.
“If somebody were to ask me what Plantable is, I would tell them that Plantable is a place that means a lot of things to a lot of people,” Joe said. “It’s a great place to hang out, but it’s also a place that stands for the special needs community.”
Learning Beyond the Camera
While creating content was a major part of his internship, some of Joe’s most valuable lessons came from stepping outside his comfort zone.
The role required him to distribute flyers, visit local businesses, seek donations, and interact with community members face-to-face. Those experiences taught him resilience, communication skills, and the importance of building relationships.
“There were times when I was discouraged,” Joe recalled. “Some places didn’t get back to me or said no. But I always told myself, ‘I did my part.’ As long as I did my best to present Plantable as best as possible, that’s what matters.”
Through these interactions, Joe gained a deeper understanding of what helps organizations succeed.
“What I learned is that having authentic, genuine connections can go a long way,” he said. “If you don’t have trust, you don’t have anything.”
Growing in Confidence
Perhaps Joe’s greatest achievement wasn’t a video, flyer, or successful fundraiser—it was the personal growth he experienced throughout the internship.
For someone who once felt more comfortable speaking to a camera than to people in person, the opportunity helped him develop confidence in ways he never expected.
“In the past, I was more comfortable talking to a camera,” Joe explained. “But getting exposure outside of the camera and dealing with people, that’s one of the things I’m forever grateful to learn at Plantable.”
The experience also reinforced the importance of having mentors and supervisors who believe in an intern’s potential.
“What I’m most thankful for is that there are people here who believe in me,” Joe said. “They trust me to do these tasks and believe that I have the potential to excel.”
Community Is Key
When asked to describe his internship experience in a single sentence, Joe’s answer came immediately:
“Community is key.”
That lesson has become the foundation of his success.
From supportive coworkers and mentors to community members who attended events and supported Plantable’s mission, Joe discovered that meaningful relationships are often the driving force behind personal and professional growth.
“The more people you can get along with in your workspace, the better it is,” Joe said. “It motivates you to continue to strive for excellence even when it’s tough.”
Today, Joe leaves his internship with new marketing experience, stronger communication skills, increased confidence, and a deeper understanding of the power of community.
What began as a simple visit to support a friend ultimately became an opportunity to discover his own potential—and help others discover Plantable Redding along the way.