Volume VII | April 2021
"When you are convinced your cause is just, you fight for it."
-Rigoberta Menchú
What we've been up to
Community Outreach celebrates Women's History Month

Community Outreach's Political Engagement and Dialogue Initiatives hosted a conversation to highlight Women's Voices for Women's History Month. The guest of the conversation was Connecticut State Senator Patricia Miller who has worked in the Senate's Education Committee, the Finance and Revenue Committee, and the Judiciary Committee for the Connecticut General Assembly. Miller talked about her experiences in politics as a Black woman and having few colleagues of color. She stressed the importance of more inclusive politics so that politicians can truly represent their constituency. Miller also talked about her passion for education policy. Her biggest goal right now is getting a reading bill passed that would address opportunity gaps and inequity in Connecticut Public Schools. Though the process has been difficult and slow-moving, she said that she doesn't mind the hard work if it means she gets to help the people she represents.
UConn Political Science professor goes through the ins and outs of legislation
Legislation governs every aspect of society and is the basis of the rules that we live by every day, from our healthcare system to our education to the country’s international relations. To be an active, informed citizen, it is important to feel comfortable reading legislation. Reading and putting legislation into context allows one to better understand the full picture and come to their own educated conclusions about them. The workshop was lead by Dr. Venator-Santiago of UConn’s Political Science Department who has been researching and writing about U.S. territorial legal history, race and citizenship; and the relationship between law and nation-state building in the Americas. Venator-Santiago gave students tips on how to analyze legislation including common vocabulary they might see and also gave advice on the best practices for reading and analyzing legislation.
The Dialogues Initiative unpacks the complexities of sex in the prison system

According to a study by UCLA, LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately incarcerated and brutalized in our country's prison system. In this interactive panel, the Political Engagement and Dialogues Initiatives discussed these shocking statistics and explained how sex and gender can play a massive role in the lives and experiences of incarcerated people. The panelist in this event was Professor Kristy Clark of Yale University who is a social and psychiatric epidemiologist whose research broadly focuses on investigating and intervening on adverse mental health outcomes disproportionately affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations. The effects of sexual preference, gender identity, and sexism in the United States Prison System were also analyzed in this discussion.
Program Spotlights
Cross-Cultural Connections

This program focuses on helping international students at UConn by improving their English language skills, exchanging cultures, and building genuine connections in a safe environment. Through immersive experiences including those related to culture, language, and lifestyle at UConn, students create bonds that are mutually fulfilling, open their minds to new perspectives, and experience different ways of life from all over the world. The program has had even more participants this semester compared to last semester and students have really been enjoying (virtually) talking with one another, and building community together.
Windham Hospital Volunteer Program

With this program, students interested in healthcare are able to get first-hand experience by working as volunteers in Windham Hospital. Volunteer hours involve patient assistance as well as working with medical professionals in the hospital. Participants work a weekly three-hour shift and are placed in various units in the hospital. Participants assist hospital staff with a variety of non-clinical tasks including discharging patients, stocking medical supplies, and also greeting and directing patients, visitors, and families. Volunteer units include the Emergency Department, Ambulatory Care Unit, Food & Nutrition Services, Patient Transportation (MET Desk), and the Pharmacy. There is also a new option for participants who are EMT certified to assist paramedics with driving.
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