Volume XXXVII | December 2025

“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.”

-Roy T. Bennett

Message from the Director

"The dedication of the staff, student leaders, and participants keeps us moving forward as we continue to be in partnership with the UConn community and surrounding communities. This work represents a shared commitment to creating a better place for all. Please have a safe and enjoyable holiday season and winter break. See you in January!"

-Miguel Colón, Director of Community Outreach

Student Leader of the Month

Summer Garrepy

Program Director for Special Olympics Events

Summer is a junior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. As the program director for Special Olympics Events, she helps plan events like the Husky Classic Soccer Tournament and Smile Mile, and oversees Special Olympics subcommittees.

Summer's student leader of the month nomination said, "Summer did a wonderful job coordinating the Special Olympics Smile Mile and Cornhole Tournament at the beginning of November." The nominator also added, "Summer is incredibly friendly and shows a genuine sense of care for everyone she works with, even when she is busy at a big event. She fosters a sense of community, energy, and excitement within the Special Olympic Events."

Program Spotlight

Project HOPE

Project HOPE partners with a local shelter to support adults experiencing homelessness. The leadership team includes Program Director Jasmine Decossard, Assistant Program Director Anna Coulter, and community partner Dean Clarke. 

Our volunteers provide a helping hand, making sure guests feel welcomed. They bring an unmatched level of companionship, engaging in consistent genuine conversations that help guests feel seen and valued.  

Project HOPE offers morning, afternoon, or night shifts. On any given day, you can find volunteers playing board games, watching a movie, or doing whatever other activities the guests are interested in! A couple of weeks ago, two volunteers even built a Christmas tree to bring some holiday cheer! Volunteers may also support staff with laundry, donation sorting, cleaning, and/or checking guests in and out. 

Recently, all of Project HOPE made cards to be hung up in the shelter. They also held a winter clothing drive, where students could drop donations off in the community outreach office. We collected over 10 full bags of shoes, clothes, blankets, hand warmers, jackets and more! 

Collegiate Health Services Corps

Collegiate Health Service Corps is dedicated to bringing health education and promotion to those in our community. Each week, participants travel to sites like the Covenant Soup Kitchen, Windham Senior Center, or Pride's Corners Farm where they work in small groups to design and present lesson plans on health topics that matter to them most. This semester, about 30 students took part in the program, supported by the amazing Natalie, our AHEC community partner. The student program director is Mannat Kadian, a junior studying molecular and cell biology with a minor in health care managament & insurance studies.



Past Events

Gingerbread House Event

On December 3, we hosted a pre-finals week gingerbread house making event! Students got creative with building gingerbread basketball courts, towers, and unique houses. Thank you to everyone who came, and see you at our community-building events next semester!



Upcoming Events

MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 19th from 8:30am - 3:00pm

Student Union Ballroom

The MLK Day of Service honors the life and mission of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme is “Learning to Build Peace and Unity within our Communities." The MLK Day will include both on and off-campus service sites, with transportation provided. After morning service, we will convene in the ballroom for lunch and to meet with our discussion panelists.

Please RSVP and spread the word to others! If you have questions or to request accommodations, please contact uconn.co.initiatives@gmail.com

Alt Breaks Alumni Basketball Game Watch

December 20th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Elicit Brewing Manchester

CO Alternative Breaks Alumni are invited to join for an afternoon of fun and reconnection! On December 20th, Alt Breaks will be hosting a Watch Party at Elicit Brewing in Manchester. Come cheer on the Women's Basketball team as they face off against the University of Iowa. This is part of the new Alternative Breaks Alumni Engagement Initiative, designed to strengthen UConn’s alumni community. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up with previous classes and cheer on UConn together!

Other News

Apply to be a CO Student Leader!

Thinking about getting involved with Community Outreach leadership? We are actively recruiting coordinators and leaders for the next academic year. The coordinator application and student leader letter of intent forms are live, and can be found on UConntact.

Coordinator application due: January 27th

Student leader letter of intent: January 26th

Follow our socials!

@uconnoutreach