Volume XXVIII| October 2024 | |
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“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.”
- Maya Angelou
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Alumni and Student Spotlights | |
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Yasmina Lingane
2023 Graduate
Yasmina is a CO alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychological sciences. She is currently in service for the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa. As a Peace Corps volunteer in the teaching sector, she is living in a village where she teaches English at the middle school.
Yasmina started out in Community
Outreach as a volunteer in Best Buddies and Cross Cultural Connections. Later, she became the Program Director for Campus Wide Initiatives, and then the Program Coordinator for Youth Development and Education of Children. “My time in CO was quite wonderful,” she reflects.
Yasmina says CO prepared her for her current role by showing her the importance of leadership and following her dreams. She says, “I learned a lot about embracing my passions and applying them into my work as well as believing in myself for any future goals. I also feel that CO gave me great experience in working with people of all backgrounds and passions. Collaboration is a beautiful thing and it’s helped me make an impact in my post-grad journey so far.”
Some of her hobbies include spending quality time with friends, meeting new people, engaging in mindful activities, sketching and being creative, listening to music, and watching movies.
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Kaden Scopelliti
Health and Social Services Coordinator
Kaden is a senior in the Honors program pursuing a degree in psychological sciences, with a minor in biology. She plans to earn her master's degree in pediatric counseling psychology and eventually obtain her licensure as a mental health counselor. Kaden serves at the Health and Social Services Coordinator, where she oversees fourteen different program directors.
Before becoming coordinator, Kaden participated in many different CO programs, including Windham Hospital Volunteering, Generations Connect, and Collegiate Health Service Corps. Most recently, she was the student program director for the Juniper Hill Assisted Living Facility program. "I have experience being led in these spaces," Kaden explains, "so I am confident in my ability to now lead."
Last year, she also represented Community Outreach in Huskython, a year-long, campus-wide fundraiser for Connecticut Children's Hospital. As dancer representative of the CO team, she led the Community Outreach team to raise over $6,000 and danced on Night-Of for twenty hours straight, while hosting one of the Miracle Families.
In her free time, Kaden loves to dance and choreograph for musical theatre productions. She adds, "I love all things music, except for country." Kaden also enjoys being active and spending time outside walking, running, and hiking.
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Coins for a Cause New Cycle Begins
On September 26th, the 2024-2025 Coins for a Cause cycle began. Coins for a Cause is a collaborative effort between Dining Services, Student Activities Community Outreach, Student Activities Banking Services (SABS), and various UConn registered student organizations to raise funds for non-profit organizations. Funds are collected each month through donation boxes located at the UConn Dairy Bar. At the end of each month, all of the change is collected, counted, deposited; each participating organization receives portion of the funds to be disbursed to the designated charities.
Last year, Coins for a Cause raised a little over $6000. The profits went to OneSky, UNICEF, and Connecticut Children's. For the upcoming cycle, funds will be dispersed to 5 organizations- Partners in Health, Access Community Action Agency, OneSky, UNICEF, and Connecticut Children's.
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Windham Heights After School
The Windham Heights After School program believes that learning should be just as fun as it is educational. This program offers a welcoming space for elementary school children to unwind after a busy day. They provide engaging tutoring to help kids with homework and academic challenges, followed by plenty of playtime—both indoors and outdoors. From exciting games to cozy reading sessions and snack breaks, this program ensures every child has the chance to relax and recharge. Join them for a blend of learning and laughter that makes every afternoon a joyful adventure!
If you have questions or are interesting in joining, please contact uconn.co.windheights@gmail.com.
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Cross Cultural Connections
Cross Cultural Connections (CCC) pairs undergraduate international and American students as conversation partners. International students can strengthen their grasp of the English language and familiarize themselves with American culture, while student conversation partners get the opportunity to learn about different cultures. Both students also get the opportunity to make a new friend!
Partners are assigned based on mutual interests, shared majors, or the capacity to build a connection. Once assigned, partners coordinate among themselves to meet for 4 hours each month to have a conversation or do an activity together. CCC also hosts a monthly meeting for its members designed to help foster a sense of community.
CCC encourages American students to introduce their partners to their friends. Help make them feel welcome at UConn. The program values intimate, face-to-face interactions as a means of fostering a more global UConn community.
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Vision Board Community Building Event
October 9th, 2024 at 6:00pm
Community Outreach Office, Student Union Room 204
Stop by the Community Outreach Office on Wednesday evening to make vision boards. All are welcome to come chat, destress with a craft, and learn more about CO! All vision board materials will be provided.
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Day of Caring
October 12th from 8:30am-1:00pm
Join Campus Wide Initiatives for Day of Caring in collaboration with Eastern Connecticut State University and United Way! Students will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of service activities to give back to our surrounding communities. Service opportunities may include landscaping, cleaning, organizing, creating educational materials and more.
Students will be picked up from UConn to travel to ECSU, and will head out to their specific service sites from there. Transportation will be provided by Community Outreach to and from all service sites. Participants will need to be available from 8:30am-1pm (this includes transportation time).
Snacks and lunch will be provided to all participants. If you have any additional questions or require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact uconn.co.initiatives@gmail.com 48 hours prior to the event.
To sign up, click here.
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Isabella Helgeson's BOLD Scholar Dissemination
October 21st from 6:00-7:00pm
MCHU 107
In the summer of 2024, Isabella traveled to rural Costa Rica and collaborated with local government officials to create an intervention, benefiting over 200 women and girls. Her project focused on menstrual health, women's rights, and education to empower the community with practical solutions and research the model for future projects in menstrual health.
No RVSP required. Please contact isabella.helgeson@uconn.edu with any questions.
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Senior Center Recital Series
The piano club is hosting a series of recitals this semester at three of the local senior centers Community Outreach partners with:
October 24th from 4:15pm-5:45pm
Mansfield Senior Center
November 16th, 4:45pm-6:45pm
Juniper Hill Village
November 17th, 2:15pm-3:45pm
Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation
Performances will take place within the span of one hour, but participants usually arrive 15 minutes early to set up and stay for 15 minutes at the end to talk to the seniors. All are invited to sign up; the senior centers welcome and support performers of all skill levels. Participants may play other instruments aside if they can bring it with them to the centers (violinists, cellists, and guitarists have performed in the past). There are also spots for people who would just like to come and watch.
If you are interested in participating, please contact uconnpiano@gmail.com.
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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. The application for Spring and April Weekend Alt Breaks is extended until October 17th, 2024.
Participants will have a uniquely engage with the community on matters like environmental conservation, housing security, community development, or healthcare access. If you are looking for an enriching experience, visit the Alt Breaks website here.
There are also student leadership positions open for their programs. Team Leaders support our Student Program Directors to facilitate a successful Alternative Break. Find more information and the application for the Team Leader position here.
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Election Day
Tuesday, November 5th
Are you registered to vote? Election Day 2024 is fast-approaching, and voting is a critical way to engage with what matters most to your community. Remember, every voice matters!
Check your voter registration status or register to vote here.
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Follow our socials!
@uconnoutreach
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