Volume XVIII | October 2022

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

 
 
 

Program Spotlights

 

Holy Family Shelter


Holy Family Home and Shelter is a dry homeless shelter in Willimantic for women and children. Guests usually stay between 30 and 60 days, and are provided with 3 meals a day, laundry facilities, assistance with permanent housing and employment services, and an after school education program.


Volunteers are needed for both after school programming and general shelter management and upkeep. In the after school program, volunteers will tutor, help with homework, and create plans for crafts, games, etc. General shelter management volunteers will organize, clean, and do other jobs for the shelter. We are always looking for more volunteers and would love to hear from those who are interested.


Please contact uconn.co.holyfamily@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.


Ayushi Patel, Holy Family Shelter Student Director


 
 

Jumpstart


Are you interested in working with children in the community? Apply to Jumpstart UConn! No matter your year or major at UConn, we encourage all students who have a passion for working with young children to apply and get involved in our program!


Jumpstart is a national early education organization

that serves preschool children living in under-resourced neighborhoods. Our proven curriculum helps children develop social- emotional skills and the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap.


This month, Jumpstart is working to recruit members and build up our corps! Team planning sessions started the week of September 26th so we can join our classrooms in early October, and we couldn't be more excited to start a new year!


If you're interested in participating, you can find more information here !


Julia Smith, UConn Jumpstart Co-Coordinator


 

Alternative Breaks


Alternative Breaks are service-learning experiences supporting alongside the community to seek a more equitable and inclusive society. Alternative Breaks trips are also designed to heighten participants’ awareness of critical social issues, enhance their individual growth, and prepare them for lifelong social action. Each weekend or week-long trip integrates service, reflection and education, and focuses on a social justice topic such as racial justice, environment justice, healthcare, etc.


If you have any questions, please reach out to uconn.co.altbreaks@gmail.com


You can find this year's trip applications here!


Abigail Interrante, Alternative Breaks Student Leader


 

Welcoming New Student and Staff Coordinators

 

Camryn Wilson

Dialogues and Political Engagement


Meet Camryn Wilson! Camryn is new to her position as the Graduate Assistant for Dialogues and Political Engagement. Through this position, she is able to support her students that participate in civic and political engagement events or dialogues that occur throughout the semester. This semester, the program has a focus on nonpartisan voter registration and education, as well as conversations around elections, voter suppression, and more!


Outside of working with Community Outreach, Camryn is focused on obtaining her Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She is also involved in the UConn Student Affairs Association on campus. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and hanging out with her cat named Bean!



 

Julia Smith

Jumpstart Student Coordinator


Meet Julia Smith! She is new to her coordinator position this year in Jumpstart and is super excited to help manage the program and to do some behind-the-scenes work to help make Jumpstart happen! Julia is from East Hampton, CT and is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. In her free time, she loves teaching dance, working out, and hanging out with friends. Her dream is to become a high school Family and Consumer science teacher, so she is excited to get to experience working with the management portion of the program this year!

Recent Event Highlights

 

Ice Skating with

Cross-Cultural Connections


Cross Cultural Connections attended an ice skating party hosted by the Center for International Students and Scholars on Sunday, September 11th. 


"The ice skating party was so much fun for me to attend! Ice skating itself was challenging for me even though I have done it a few times before. I invited two of my friends to come with me. One of which is an international student from Jordan. They were hesitant to try ice skating but in the end it seemed like they were glad they came. I met one nice student from South Africa and it was her first time ice skating, as well. Everyone at the event looked like they were having a great time and I hope there is an ice skating event again or something else just as fun!”


Justine, CCC Volunteer


 

Four Arrows with Human Rights and Action Learning Community


The Human Rights & Action Learning Community engages students through academic, experiential, and residential activities designed to enhance their understanding of social justice, diversity, and civic responsibility. In partnership with the Human Rights Institute and Community Outreach, we offer service experiences and immersion programs to provide practical forums that foster a greater understanding of individual values, community issues, and the principles necessary for active citizenship.


The Human Rights and Action Learning Community participated in a day-long retreat at 4 Arrows Saturday, September 10th! We shared breakfast together, did some fun teambuilding activities, low ropes elements, shared lunch together and completed some high ropes elements!


For more information about the learning community, click here!

Get Out and Vote!

 

Election Day, November 8th


Don't forget to register to vote on November 8th! If you would like to register or find more information, click here!


 

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