Moving to a new place is hard. Finding a sense of community and connection in a new city can be even harder.
Hasret is a grandmother and CLC student in Level 2 English class. She wanted a meaningful way to practice her English. She started volunteering at the food pantry of her granddaughter's school. “Community service projects make me think more,” says Hasret. “I like the fact that the people who we help have their life stories. I love to help them.”
Hasret told her English class about her experience at the food pantry. Her classmates got excited, and some were interested in volunteering too. Now two classmates join Hasret to help with food distribution at the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House. “I am very impressed by the volunteering spirit of people, [some] who also have financial difficulties,” says Slava, another CLC English student. "They still volunteer, and they come with a smile to help.”
These students are building a sense of community and connection by volunteering in the community. They are also getting the chance to improve their English skills – win-win!
If you want to volunteer at CLC and connect with our learning community, you can join the Friends of CLC or serve as a class aide or student tutor. You can find other ways to get involved in the community through the organization Cambridge Volunteers.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House.
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