Volume XXX| December 2024 | |
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“You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”
- Unknown
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A Message from Our Director | |
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"The work of Community Outreach is a reflection of the commitment by our staff, student leaders, and participants. While there is still a lot of work and learning to do, we are taking steps to better ourselves and the collaborations we have with our on campus and community partners. That is why we continue to come together through community building activities and professional development opportunities. Looking at the near future, we will once again start the spring semester with the MLK JR. Day of Service on January 20, 2025. We hope some of you can join us- so mark your calendars. Finally, good luck during finals and have a safe & enjoyable winter break!"
- Miguel Colón, Director of Community Outreach Programs, Services, and Initiatives
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Ariel Martone
Language and Literacy Student Coordinator
Ariel is a junior pursuing her degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is the student coordinator for the Language & Literacy Community of Practice, where she brings her passionate leadership. Ariel oversees Cross Cultural Connections, English Language Learners, and America Reads. She shares, "these programs, although different, all work to break language boundaries and improve literacy success in local schools."
Ariel started out in a different area of CO. She explains, "I originally started as a Jumpstart member and joined because I love working with kids and wanted to put myself out there more." Ariel furthered her involvement in Jumpstart by becoming a team leader. Now, in addition to being the L&L Coordinator, Ariel is also the vice president of the early childhood club, and says she really enjoys when this crosses over with her role in CO.
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Pick Up the Thread: A Post-Election Connection
On the day after the election, members of the UConn community gathered to “pick up the thread" of belonging that weaves us together. At this event, hosted by the Humanities Institute and the Well-being Collective, student, staff, and faculty were able to connect with each other while participating in a collaborative fiber arts project.
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Special Olympics Smile Mile and Cornhole Tournament
The Special Olympics Annual Smile Mile and Cornhole Tournament on October 9th was a success, with over 70 people in attendance and raising over $3,100. The Smile Mile is a walk commemorating former CO student leader Jeffny Pally, who envisioned this event to bring people of all abilities together while fundraising for Special Olympics CT. After the Smile Mile, teams played in the March Madness style cornhole tournament; team "corn in the USA" were the overall winners.
Student program director Robert Boucher and the Special Olympics Committee did a wonderful job of organizing and ensuring the event ran smoothly. Officer Carson and the UConn Spirit Team also came to show their support. Thank you to all who attended and contributed!
You can still donate to Special Olympics CT here.
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Bob Ross Paint Night
On November 14th, we hosted a community-building Bob Ross Paint Night. We enjoyed pizza and painted with a Bob Ross special on. Stop by the CO Office to see some of our amazing artwork up on display!
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Power of Language Professional Development
On November 17th, student leaders and staff attended a professional development with Elise Delacruz, interim director of the UConn Women’s center. We had engaging discussions on recognizing gendered and biased language, using respectful and inclusive words, and understanding ways of referring to people that make them feel seen. This was an important conversation that we can apply to our roles in CO and to our daily lives.
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Community Service Days at Covenant Soup Kitchen
Community Outreach has a long-standing partnership with Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic. Many of our students volunteer at the soup kitchen through Community Service Days and Campus Wide Initiatives.
This semester, they had time blocks on Fridays and weekends for students to volunteer as their schedule allows. Volunteers are mixed, but many of the same people tend to return each week. The program thrives off of dedicated students, like team leader Emily Coll. Graduate Assistant Jackie says, "She is kind, reliable and dedicated to Community Service Days and I appreciate her hard work so much. I can always count on her to get the job done and problem solve if needed."
To learn more about Covenant Soup Kitchen, visit their website here.
For more information on getting involved through Community Service Days, visit their UConntact page here, or email uconn.co.csd@gmail.com.
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Gingerbread House Making
December 4th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
CO Room, Student Union Room 204
Join us on Wednesday for our final community-building event of the semester to make gingerbread houses, get in the seasonal spirit, and destress before finals week. Snacks and gingerbread houses will be provided.
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MLK Day of Service
January 20th, 2025 from 9:00am - 3:00pm
Student Union Ballroom; Various Service Sites
On January 20th, students all over the UConn Campus are invited to partake in service opportunities, hear from speakers, and engage in meaningful discussion for the MLK Day of Service. The MLK Jr. Day of Service translates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps strengthen communities, bridge barriers, empower individuals, and solve social problems.
Check in will begin at 8:45am in the Student Union ballroom, with pastries available for breakfast. On and off-campus community service activities will begin at 9:15am. Service will end around 11:45-12:00pm, and students will return to the ballroom for a lunch break from 12:10-1:00pm. Big Y pizza will be served, please reach out the email if you have any dietary restrictions. There will be a panelist discussion from until 2:30pm, with a Q&A session at the end. The day will close with a small group discussion/reflection from 2:30-3:00pm.
Click here to register for this event on UConntact.
To request accommodations or with any questions please contact uconn.co.initiatives@gmail.com.
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Community Outreach HuskyTHON
HuskyTHON is the largest student organization on campus, fundraising year-round for Connecticut Children's in Hartford. HuskyTHON is a great way to get more involved on campus and meet new people while raising money to fight childhood cancer. The HuskyTHON "Night-Of," taking place in the spring, is an 18-hour dance marathon where thousands of UConn students come together to dance for those who can't. Community Outreach's team has a goal of raising $7000 this year and our team captains will help ensure each member reaches their $250 minimum. Student leaders, participants, and anyone else who does not have a team is welcome to join anytime before the spring Night-of!
To register for the Community Outreach HuskyTHON team, click here. To join the GroupMe, click here.
For more information or questions, please contact Dancer Representatives Ashley and Isabela at uconn.co.cbb@gmail.com.
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