Volume XXVII| September 2024 | |
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“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
- Khalil Gibran
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A Message From Our Director | |
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“We are starting the 2024-2025 academic year with a lot of enthusiasm and energy! A week before classes started, we welcome our student leaders to August Training where we explored topics like Ethical Story Telling and Community Resource Mapping among the typical workshops to prepare for recruitment, selection, and supervision. We also had a service day with five community partners that was followed by a conversation with the superintendent of the Windham Public Schools. We always come out of August Training tired, but excited for the upcoming year. Enjoy this newsletter!”
-Miguel A. Colón
Director of Community Outreach
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Staff and Student Spotlights | | |
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Jackie Yorker
Community Service Days and Campus-Wide Initiatives GA
We are excited to have Jackie back as our Graduate Assistant for the Community Service Days and Campus-Wide Initiatives departments! Jackie graduated from UConn this past spring with her bachelor's degree in elementary education. She is currently a master's student in the Neag School of Education studying curriculum instruction. Jackie plans to become an elementary school teacher, potentially moving into an administrative role in the future. Her ultimate career goal is to obtain a PhD to teach in higher education.
During her time as an undergraduate, Jackie was involved in the Jumpstart program, going into the preschool classroom to help close the kindergarten readiness gap. She moved into the Coordinator position in her senior year.
As she takes on her GA position, she is excited to see a different side of Community Outreach and engage with a new set of Community Partners.
One of her favorite Community Outreach memories is the retreat to Mansfield Hollow during the 2023 August Training. "I loved getting to know people outside of my CoP and bonding with the staff and team leaders," she recalls. "I remember going on a hike with Carl and Sophie on some trails around the park, and it was such a fun and memorable experience. We also got Dairy Bar ice cream and played volleyball in the field."
In her free time, Jackie enjoys going on walks and hiking, reading books, and spending time with family and friends. "Maintaining and strengthening the relationships in my life is something that is very important to me," she says.
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Norah Forte
Civic Engagement & Dialogues GA
Welcome Norah! Norah is our new Civic Engagement & Dialogues Graduate Assistant this year. She a first-year master's student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs M.A. program here at UConn. Originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Norah completed her undergraduate degree in communications/public relations at Bridgewater State University. At BSU, she was heavily involved on campus serving as a resident assistant, orientation leader, and president of the American Cancer Society on Campus, and worked as an engagement assistant, and peer educator in the Outreach Office. This sparked her passion for higher education, and is the reason why she is working here at UConn.
Norah is very excited to be working in Community Outreach this year with Civic Engagement & Dialogue initiatives. "I think it is so important for undergraduate students to use their voice to create the change they want to see," she says, "and I am so excited to be able to give students that agency and encourage them to make a difference." She has loved getting to know everyone in CO so far: "both the staff and the students have been so welcoming and supportive of my transition to UConn."
Norah is an avid Boston sports fan, and warns that you may hear her talking about that a lot. She also shops at Trader Joe's quite frequently and says it's probably her "favorite place on earth." Norah looks forward to getting to know everyone this year, and invites you to stop into the GA office to say hello!
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Nathan Auten
Transportation Rental Manager
Meet Nathan! He is a junior studying computer science with a minor in analytics. Nathan is currently the Rental Manager in Community Outreach's transportation department. In this role, he helps to accommodate the transportation needs of various university departments, clubs, and other student organizations. Nathan started as a driver in 2023 and enjoyed driving different volunteer groups around the local community.
When Nathan first joined CO, he did not know much about the organization. "But over time," he explains, "I have had an ever-growing appreciation for the extensive work that all our student volunteers have done and continue to do." From after-school, programs, helping at the local senior center, coaching Special Olympics, or volunteering at a soup kitchen, Nathan says his role has shown him just how wide CO's impact reaches. "Seeing the passion that our student leaders have for the work they are doing has encouraged and inspired me to do my best to help support them in any way that they need," he shares. Nathan looks forward to continuing his work at CO for the rest of his time at UConn.
Outside of CO, Nathan is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and hammocking.
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Involvement Fair and Wellness Fair
CO student leaders, coordinators, and staff members had a great turnout at the Fall 2024 Involvement Fair during the first week of September. Many programs like English Language Learners, Generations Connect, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters are still seeking participants for this semester.
We also saw many new faces at the Wellness Fair, where our rubber duck ring toss was quite a hit. We appreciate everyone who stopped by to say hello and learn more about our programs!
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Mansfield Senior Center
The Mansfield Senior Center program connects students with seniors in the community through social and recreational activities that strengthen emotional and social well-being. Volunteers of all talents and interests can assist with bingo, card games, trivia, food service, and a welcome desk. The program also hosts on-campus meetings throughout the semester to reflect on experiences and to create crafts and cards for the seniors. Transportation to and from the Mansfield Senior Center is provided by CO.
No prior experience is required to participate in this program. This is a great way to gain experience working with a different population, share stories and experiences, and to form close bonds with older adults in the community.
Please fill out their application here if you are interested in joining!
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No Freeze Shelter
No Freeze Shelter is part of the Windham Region No Freeze Project, a not-for-profit agency dedicated to the short and long-term survival of adults experiencing homelessness in our community. The agency provides safe, temporary shelter when needed, reconnects people to stable housing, diverts those at risk from ever entering the shelter, and re-establishes connections to the community and human services. They also collaborate on state and local initiatives that strive to end homelessness in Connecticut.
Volunteers with No Freeze Shelter assist staff with cleaning and setting up common areas, signing in guests, and assigning showers and beds. They will also have the opportunity to interact with guests and learn more about connecting them to permanent housing, health, recovery, education, employment, and transportation services.
Please contact uconn.co.nofreeze@gmail.com with any questions.
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Second Chance Educational Alliance
Second Chance Educational Alliance is a program that supplements secondary education in correctional institutions by preparing volunteers (like you!) to tutor in a variety of topics to help reduce recidivism by providing education. Their mission is to lower recidivism by promoting access to GED education for inmates in the CT system. Through engaging with this population, SCEA hopes to provide the necessary foundations for job securement once students are released.
MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution is a level 4/5, high/maximum security for incarcerated men in CT. It is the largest correctional facility in New England. It offers extensive programming to assist incarcerated students with the successful educational services. UConn students will be working with the educational unit within the facility to educate admitted students on science, business, math, writing, and reading comprehension to help them prepare for the GED test and achieve other academic goals. Students will facilitate the classroom lessons and create activities for tutoring and instructing a course.
If you are interested in volunteering with Second Chance Educational Alliance, fill out their interest form here.
Please contact uconn.co.correctional@gmail.com with any questions.
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Special Olympics Committee
The Special Olympics Committee works to provide sport training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities through fundraising and hosting competitions in partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut. During the academic year, they host several events including a cornhole tournament, Smile Mile Walk, and Husky Classic Soccer Tournament. The committee also assists Special Olympics Connecticut with several events they host either on campus or offsite. Transportation is provided by Community Outreach.
This program strives to empower their athletes and create a welcoming space where joy, sharing of skills, and friendship is a top priority. They live by their motto, "it's not about disabilities, but rather about abilities!"
Please contact uconn.co.olympics@gmail.com with any questions.
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Fostering Civic and Democratic Engagement: A Bipartisan Conversation with Former Members of Congress
September 26th at 11am in the Dodd Center for Human Rights, Konover Auditorium
Join Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs in hosting the Honorable Loretta Sanchez (D-CA, 1997-2017) and the Honorable Fred Upton (R-MI, 1987-2023) as part of Congress to Campus, a bipartisan program bringing former members of Congress into the community to engage on topics of civic importance. Welcomed by President Radenka Maric and moderated by Amber Diaz ’11 (CLAS), NBC CT anchor and reporter.
Space is limited, RSVP here.
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Apply for an Alternative Break! | |
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Alternative Break Applications 2024-25
Alternative Breaks are service-learning experiences supporting alongside the community to seek a more equitable and inclusive society. Alternative Breaks are designed to heighten participants’ awareness of critical social issues, enhance their individual growth, and prepare them for lifelong social action.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to engage with the community, whether it’s focusing on environmental conservation, food/housing security, community development, or even healthcare access. If you are looking for a mind-opening and cultivating experience, check out our website here!
The application is open now until September 26th for winter Alt Breaks and September 30th, 2024 for all other Alt Breaks.
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