Volume XXXV| October 2025 | | |
Solidarity is not an act of charity, but mutual aid between forces fighting for the same objective
-Samera Machel
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Alumni and Student Spotlights | | |
Patrick Briody
Former Alternative Breaks Coordinator, '20
Patrick Briody was a coordinator and trip director for Alternative Breaks. He first joined CO as a freshman, where he was a member on an Alternative Break focused on urban poverty and civil rights in Birmingham, Alabama. His sophomore year, he went to Moab, Utah with CO to work with NPS rangers on a trip focused on environmental preservation. As a junior, Patrick became a trip director for the Tahlequah, Oklahoma alternative break which focused on rural poverty and cultural preservation, working alongside members of the Cherokee Nation. In his senior year, Patrick was an Alternative Break coordinator in charge of directing fundraising and program development.
Patrick shares, “serving as a trip director and a coordinator taught me many important logistical and organization skills that I still utilize in everyday life.” He says planning, meeting deadlines, and coordinating with multiple parties are skills almost everyone needs. However, Patrick says that the most important lessons he learned were from reaching outside his comfort zone and engaging with the community through CO. “The people that you meet and work alongside in the course of your service are not always people you would have met and worked with otherwise,” he explains. “Learning to appreciate the experiences of others and to find shared goals, even in people with little else in common, is critical to any work you want to do or any person you want to become post-grad.”
Patrick says he loves all of his memories from CO for different reasons, but his favorite memories are of all the people he met. Every person he met in Birmingham, Utah, and Oklahoma was kind, patient, and supportive, all working towards a shared goal. His best friend is someone he met through CO, even after 5 years and moving a thousand miles apart from each other.
Patrick has continued to dedicate himself to service since graduating. After earning his graduate degree, he served for a year in AmeriCorps NCCC, worked as an in-school tutor in an underprivileged district, and spent a year working as a grower on a farm. This fall, he has returned to UConn Law as a first-year student. He plans to graduate with his J.D. in spring 2028.
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Natasha Dinshaw
Program Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters
We’re proud to spotlight Natasha Dinshaw, a junior Elementary Education major, for her leadership and dedication as Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. In this role, she serves as a link between Site Managers and program participants, answering questions, offering support, and helping the program run smoothly. She also leads recruitment efforts, working to expand the program and its positive impact on local youth.
She has been involved with Community Outreach since her very first semester at UConn. Drawn to working with kids, she began volunteering with America Reads and the Mansfield Middle School Mentoring Program. Her passion for youth engagement and her growing commitment to CO led her to take on a leadership role during her sophomore year as a Site Manager for a Big Brothers Big Sisters site. “I love that CO provides so many different opportunities to volunteer—and, in the process, to build connections with kids and other participants,” she shares.
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Natchaug and Sweeney After-School Tutoring Program
The Natchaug and Sweeney After-School Tutoring Program is all about building positive relationships between young students and learning! Led by Program Director Olivia Fournier-Wyllie, this program focuses on youth development and education for children, blending academics with creativity and play to make learning something students genuinely look forward to.
At Natchaug Elementary, the spotlight is on reading, while Sweeney Elementary dives into fun, math-focused sessions. Each afternoon, K-4th-grade students finish up their snack, then move into small group tutoring sessions. After an hour of focused learning, it’s time to unwind with engaging activities, whether it’s arts and crafts or games in the gym.
The program wouldn’t be possible without its amazing team. Bridget Hoffman leads the Sweeney site, and MaKayla Laing leads Natchaug. Olivia rotates between both schools to offer support, along with community partners Chinidozi Tocci (Sweeney) and Neila Benway (Natchaug). Desiree Parciak supports both sites as a community partner and supervisor. With 19 dedicated volunteers on board, the team is ready to bring energy, creativity, and a love of learning to every session starting October 17!
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Dog Star Rescue
Dog Star Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-run dog rescue organization based near the Hartford area. They take in owner surrenders and work closely with established partner shelters to save the lives of loving and loyal dogs.
Dog Star volunteers spend significant time each week helping guide dogs to a wonderful new life. They provide these dogs the medical and emotional support they need so they can transition into a loving home. To date, Dog Star has placed over 7,000 dogs with new, forever families. Dog Star is always looking for new volunteers to join their group, and is excited to partner with them!
During CO's Day of Caring, hosted on October 4th, students helped with some of the cleaning and painting work for Dog Star's new facility being built in Bloomfield. In the future, we hope to offer the opportunity through one-time projects to directly interact with dogs at adoption events, where volunteers are needed to hold the dogs while potential adopters visit.
For questions or to request accommodations, please contact uconn.co.altbreaks@gmail.com.
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Special Olympics Swim Clinic
| On October 1, the UConn Special Olympics Events Committee proudly partnered with Special Olympics Connecticut to host an inspiring swim clinic at the Wolff-Zacknin Natatorium on the Storrs campus. The Division 1 Women's swim and dive team shared their time and expertise with Special Olympics athletes from Rhode Island and Connecticut, helping them sharpen their skills as they prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. The event was a true celebration of passion, teamwork, and community, which filled the pool with energy, learning, and plenty of smiles! | Community-Building Volleyball Game | CO hosted a volleyball game on the courts between the West campus dorms on October 2nd, and it was a blast! Students and staff dropped by to play and hang out, making the most of the early fall weather. Thanks to everyone who joined in for a fun and memorable afternoon! | |
On Saturday, October 4th, students joined Campus Wide Initiatives for a Day of Caring in collaboration with Eastern Connecticut State University and United Way.
Participants had the option to support Dog Star, Windham Area Interfaith Ministry, Manchester Area Conference of Churches, or Spring Valley Student Farm for a day of service.
Students who went to Dog Star helped the team settle into their new building by cleaning, organizing, and painting. Participants at WAIM sorted through clothing and toy donations. Those at MACC set up fun Halloween decorations and organized the food pantry. Meanwhile, those at Spring Valley Student Farm worked outdoors, weeding and planting.
After a few hours of hard work, all of the participant groups reconvened on campus for a reflection session. Here, participants enjoyed pizza and chips, celebrating the collective effort and meaningful contributions made to the community. For the activity, participants took time to draw and share what they learned, enjoyed, found challenging, and surprising during their experience.
| | Professional Development on Service and Community Care | |
On October 9th, community outreach participants joined together for an evening of professional development. Attendees enjoyed a welcoming environment and a round of CO-themed Jeopardy. The real highlight of the evening was the wonderful presentation on meaningful community work by Meg Marshall, Assistant Director of Community Outreach, and Chris Ciarcia from UConn’s Office of Outreach and Engagement.
They led an important conversation on the difference between charity and sustainable, community-rooted work. We discussed the historical roots and continued growth of mutual aid networks. They encouraged students to think critically about how to meet people where they are and to engage in ways that honor the dignity and autonomy of the communities we serve.
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Preschool Book Pals Orientation
The Preschool BookPals program oriented their participants to prepare for the year ahead. Volunteers met their teammates for the first time, and participated in an interactive training sessions focused on reading aloud to children in an engaging way. Additionally, they learned about important program policies and procedures.
Members also enjoyed their time designing some cool song posters for the students to enjoy during circle time activities in the classroom. By the end of the session, everyone walked away not only with the knowledge and confidence to get started, but also with a few new friends!
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Banned Books Tabling
Week of October 19
Civic Engagement is tabling in the Homer Babbidge library next week to display and discuss banned books. Stop by to learn more!
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Misinformation Dialogue
Tuesday, October 28th from 4:30pm
UConn Humanities Institute, 4th Floor of Homer Babbidge Library
Join us for a panel-style Q&A event about the spread of misinformation on social media channels and how we have seen an uptake of social media advocacy, particularly in this modern political climate.
This event, co-sponsored with the UConn Humanities Institute, will feature 3 panelists: Dr. Sherry Pagoto, a clinical psychologist and Director of the UConn Center for Health and Social Media, Professor Amanda Crawford, an associate professor of journalism at UConn, and Dr. Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch, an associate professor of communication at UConn.
With questions or to request accommodations, contact nkf24001work@uconn.edu.
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Halloween Door Decorating Competition & SU Trick-or-Treating
Tuesday, October 28th from 6-8pm
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Friday, October 31st from 12-3pm
CO Office - SU 203
For our October Community-building event, we are hosting a door-decorating competition. Student leaders will be able to festively decorate their staff member's door, and the winners will earn points for the CO Cup!
Then, all are invited to stop by the CO office on Halloween during the Student Union trick or treating event. Come in a costume to say hello and grab some candy while supplies lasts!
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Special Olympics Smile Mile and Cornhole Tournament
Saturday, November 8th
Student Union Lawn
The UConn Special Olympics Committee is hosting the annual Smile Mile and Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, November 8th on the Student Union Lawn. The Smile Mile is a one-mile walk/run for the Spread the Word Campaign of Inclusion, aimed at creative an inclusive environment. The event is held in honor of Jeffny Pally, a dedicated Community Outreach leader and Special Olympics partner. Participation in the Smile Mile is free of charge, but donations are welcomed.
Following the mile, grab your friends to come and play in the March-Madness style Cornhole Tournament. The cornhole tournament will be a 2v2 match, with a winners and losers bracket.
Smile Mile
- Registration at 9:45am
- Walk begins at 10am
Cornhole Tournament
$10 per person, $20 per team
- Registration at 10:40am
- Tournament from 11am - 1pm
Be sure to register and donate below. All donations go to Special Olympics Connecticut’s mission of creating a more inclusive world.
If you have any questions or to request accommodations, please email Summer at uconn.co.olympics@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
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Apply for a Weekend Alt Break
Applications for Spring Weekend Alternative Breaks are open until November 17!
- Groton, CT - Environmental Conservation (March 27-29)
- New Bedford, MA - Housing Security (March 27-29)
- New Haven, CT - Food Systems (April 17-19)
- New York City, NY - Healthcare (April 17-19)
Alternative Breaks are service-learning experiences supporting alongside the community. Alternative Breaks are designed to heighten participants’ awareness of social issues, enhance their individual growth, and prepare them for lifelong community collaborators. Alternative Breaks provides students the opportunities to meet new people, learn new things, and live simply in community locally, nationally, and abroad.
They integrate program values and the Eight Components of an Alternative Break including education, immersion, service, reflection to dig deeper into a social issue theme.
As a participant you’ll have an unique opportunity to engage with communities whether it’s focusing on housing security, food systems, healthcare, etc.! If you are looking for an experience to grow, serve, click below!
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