AmeriCorps Mayor’s Day of Recognition for National Service

On April 1, 2014 Mayors in Connecticut, along with other mayors around the United States came together to recognize the impact that National Service Programs have had on their communities. Every year more than 5 million diverse individuals come together to help meet the needs of local communities by participating in various service opportunities through the Coporation for National and Community Service's programs. These programs consist of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps which work to serve six crucial project areas within communities;  disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.

Local Mayor of Windham Ernie Eldridge kicked off the Mayor's Day gardening service project at Natchaug Elementary School with the reading of an official town proclamation. This event was sponsored by GROW Windham and united participants from Eastern Connecticut State University, The Windham Area Hour Exchange, Eastern Area Health Education Center, Windham Public Schools and several other organizations in town with service corps members. Participation was also open to the public free of charge. Mayors around Connecticut from Bridgeport to Windham participated in this day of recognition to thank those who have brightened their communities and to encourage others to join and do the same.

On a more national scale, this years Mayor's Day turned out to be a major success. Participation from more than 1,760 mayors in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico came together and represented 1/3 of all Americans. The success of the second annual Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service more than doubled from the previous years Mayors volunteer list. You can view the full list of the 2014 Mayor's Day participants here. 

“We are thrilled by the extraordinary turnout of mayors from across the country for this bipartisan nationwide recognition of the impact of national service. It is a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of all those who serve in AmeriCorps and Senior Corps that mayors representing more than one-third of Americans are joining in this effort.  I commend Mayor Coleman, Mayor Smith, and other mayors across the country for participating in this recognition effort and for working with us to improve lives and strengthen communities through national service."

- Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service 

Puentes Al Futuro

Check out the awesome things that the Puentes Al Futuro community program has been up to!

What is Puentes Al Futuro?

• Puentes Al Futuro, also known as Bridges to the Future, is an afterschool program for middle and high school students.
• The goal of the program is to provide a fun and enriching atmosphere for English Language Leaners while giving college students an opportunity to work with learners and gain a lifetime experience.
• It also provides a mutual understanding of cultural competnece, learning new skills and patience for both students and the volunteers.

Lily Egan, a CCE student leader for the middle school Puentes Al Futuro program, shares some of her experience with the kids. "Part of my job title is to teach them hip-hop on Wednesdays which includes fun filled games, stretching and other cherographing a hip hop dance that they will be performing in front of family and friends." These students will have the opportunity to share their new dance skills with their family and friends on Wednesday, December 4.

The middle school Puentes Al Futuro program focuses on activites such as art, homework help, science, percussion and hip-hop dance. The high school Puentes Al Futuro program focuses on activities such as hip-hop poetry, hip-hop dance, computer skills, art and life skills, math and language arts.

The program offers young students an opportunity to work in a positive, fun environment while getting to know both students their own age and Eastern students that serve as great mentors.

Impact...

Ever wonder if you are actually making an impact? Or if what you're doing is really making a difference?

 

Dillon Melady, a CCE student leader, shares a story about the Recess Program that started last week.

 

Dillon and a group of student volunteers met 3rd grade students outside during their Recess time. Instead of being shy and avoiding these older, bigger college students, these 3rd graders let their curiousity get the best of them as they introduced themselves and got right to the point that they wanted to play. It ended up being a great time of playing kickball and jumping rope!

The second time that they went, all the kids remembered the volunteers and were so excited to see that they had come back! The 3rd graders were not the only ones happy to see the Eastern volunteers; the teachers also told Dillon "how grateful they were for the volunteers to be there as positive role models." One student told Dillon about his plans about going to Eastern one day.

 

Student volunteers...what you are doing DOES matter! It is making a difference! No matter how small and even if you do not see it right away, you are making an impact.



pinterest.com

 

 

 

 

Make a Difference Day

What are you up to this weekend? Well, if you don't have any plans yet, you should know that on Saturday, October 26th, it is Make a Difference Day.

What is Make a Difference Day?

"The stories told around Make a Difference Day show that anyone - regardless of age, location or resources - can accomplish amazing things when they take on the problems they see in their community" (http://makeadifferenceday.com/about-make-difference-day)

As a stressed, always busy, stay-up-all-night-sleep-all-day college student, it can be really hard to find time to volunteer! However, it is ten times easier when volunteering becomes a time to work with friends, make new connections in the community and about finding those opportunities that provide the skills needed for your career.

That is why this weekend, on Make a Difference Day, the largest national community service day in the U.S., I am encouraging you to get a group of your friends together and do something positive for the community. If you cannot find a community project for this weekend, don't let that stop you or discourage you. Do some research with your friends on possible ideas of service projects you could do. Talk to your R.As, your club e-board members, the staff at the Center for Community Engagement. There is an unlimited number of resources you can use to get connected with the community.

Sometimes making a difference is as simple as inviting someone on your floor who has been feeling homesick out with you and your friends, taking a trip to the grocery store and buying groceries to donate to the soup kitchen, or even taking the time to check out some of the local businesses and supporting them by purchasing something.

Whatever it is that you decide to do, send your photos and stories to the CCE, we want to know about what you are doing to make a positive difference and share what you are doing with the Eastern Community!

October...the month of food!

October is all about food! The pumpkin obsession, the apple sensations, the warm soups, and hot drinks. As the days get colder, we find ourselves leaning more and more towards food as a source of comfort.
October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month and Fair Trade Month. It's the month of World Food Day and National Food Day. There is even a national Taco Day and a National Candy Corn Day and I am sure there are many others!
The day that is coming up next is National Food Day which is October 24, 2013. "Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affortable and sustainable food" (Foodday.org).
According to Foodday.org, this year's National Food Day aims to:

• Promote safer, healthier diets: Currently in America, the top sources of calories for children ages 2-18 are grain desserts such as cake and cookies, pizza, and sugary drinks.
• Support sustainable and organic farms: The USDA estimates that of all the food sales that occur in the U.S. Market for agricultural products, only 1.6 percent of these sales come from local farms.
• Reduce Hunger: More than 16 million children in America live in a household that struggles to put food on the table on a daily basis.
• Reform factory farms to protect the environment and farm animals: 70 percent of all polution that occurs in U.S. rivers and streams comes from Agricultural practices and especially larger scale operations.
• Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers: The average annual income for crop workers is between $10,000 and $12,499 for individuals and $15,000 and $17,499 for families.

How can you help?

• "Write or call your U.S. senators, U.S. representative, governor, state legislators, mayor, or city council and ask them to support increased funding for healthy food initiatives, including promotions of fruits and vegetables, campaigns against junk food, or getting rid of junk foods from all city or state property and using the government’s buying power to support local and/or organic farming" (foodday.org)
• Visit the FoodDay.org website to find out more information about holding a Food Day event.
• Join the environmental club, People Helping People or Food Justice Committee on campus
• Volunteer in local schools and help teach kids about healthy eating

To find out about any of the opportunities listed above contact the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu.

Join the CCE Movement!

 

 

Eastern Students are making a difference! If you have ever wondered exactly what kind of impact the CCE is making on Willimantic and surrounding communities, this blog post is for you!

 

It is estimated that Eastern students provide essential tutoring and mentoring services to local schools worth $147,000.

 

During the 2012-2013 academic year alone:

•  1,066 Eastern students did a total of 13,137 hours of service
• 609 students who worked with children enrolled in Windham Public Schools completed 5,199 hours of service
• 417 Eastern student who worked with local youth did 2,108 hours of service
• 211 students served as tutors or mentors in the local schools completing 2,603 volunteer hours

This was all done by EASTERN students.

 

We want to see that number of hours increase this academic year! If you want to be part of the movement, come visit the CCE at 333 Prospect Street or send an e-mail to cce@easternct.edu.

Goals Goals Goals!

 

We want to know: what are YOUR goals for this fall semester? What is it that you want to get out of your time serving the community either through a community program, special event or service club?

 

Goals are important to set for ourselves. They can help up look beyond community service as just a way to fulfill a class assignment, a club obligation or even just serving for the fun of it (not that these are bad things!). Instead, goals help us look at what we are hoping to accomplish and the skills we hope to gain.

 

Are you hoping to gain teaching skills, learn more about nutrition, learn how to bond with high school students, obtain better public speaking abilities? Their is an endless number of goal possibilities! Take a minute to really think about it.

 

Now that you have taken a moment to really think about your goals for this semester, you can start to make a plan. What community service events, clubs, or services are available to help you achieve those goals? If you already have an event or program that you are invovled in, how can your goals become a part of your time serving there? Is there a way that the CCE can better help you achieve those goals? If so, let us know! Comment below, visit our Facebook page (Eastern CT-Community Engagement) or e-mail us!

 

Sometimes we go out in the community with the intent of helping others, when what happens is the community ends up helping us figure out who we are and what we want to be.

Wanted: Eastern Volunteers

Wanted: Eastern Volunteers

 

 

We need your help with 2 community programs! Please contact the CCE at cce@easternct.edu ASAP if interested!

The Windham Middle School Mentor Program: you are paired with middle school students in order to develop a mentor/role model relationship. Eastern students will engage in recreational activities, academic support and conversations around wellness, education and personal self- image. Mentoring activities are from 2:30 to 3:45, but volunteers are welcome to sign up until 4:30 to assist with homework time.

 

Bridges to the Future/Puentes al Futuro: designed for English Language Learner (ELL) students from Windham Middle School and Windham High School. The program participants work with Eastern volunteers and instructors on homework tutoring and then participate in cultural and arts enrichment experiences including folkloric dance, drumming, and journal making about their culture. 

 

The program will be held on different days in different classrooms on Eastern Connecticut State University's campus or at the Windham Middle School or the Windham High School according to the schedule. Detailed information about the program will be provided once students commit to volunteer in any of the program days.

·         Middle School Level Schedule

o    TUESDAY meets at Windham Middle School (Art, Percussion Music and Science)

o    WEDNESDAY meets at Eastern (Hip/Hop Dance)

o    THURSDAY meets at Windham Middle School (TBD)

·         High School Level

o    TUESDAY meets at Eastern (Hip/Hop, Poetry, Cultural Time Line)

o    WEDNESDAY meets at Eastern (Hip/Hop Dance, I am Latino class)

o    THURSDAY meets at Eastern and Windham High School (Art, Life Skills)

Say What?

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others"

 

What's the difference between a community program and a special event?

A community program is a long term program that usually meets once a week throughout the semster. Volunteers have a greater opportunity to develop and utilize professional skills, make sustainable impact in our society, and create long-lasting relationships.

A special event are larger volunteer opportunities dealing with larger populations or community issues at one-time. These events require a higher presence of Eastern volunteers on the day of the event.

What type of community programs are available this semester? Is it too late to sign up?

It is not too late to sign up for a community program but you should contact the CCE at cce@easternct.edu as soon as possible if this is something that interests you!

Here are the community programs available:

Tutoring and Mentoring with: Natchaug, North Windham, Sweeney and Windham Center Elementary Schools, Windham Middle School, Windham High School, Natchaug Elementray School Recess Program, Sister to Sister, Brother to Brother, Puentes al Futuro/Bridges to the Future, Journey House, Junior Achievement, Project K.B.A. (Kids, Books and Athletics), Project Academic Advancement, Collegiate Health Service Corps

Elderly and Special Populations: St. Joseph's Living Center, Windham No Freeze Hospitatlity Center, Food Justice Committee/Eastern Community Education Garden

Be on the look out for the special events that are happening throughout the semester!

I also heard about this thing called an Alternative Break, what's that?

An Alternative Break trip provides Eastern students the opportunity to serve communities outside of our own while learning about other social groups and community systems.

If you are interested in leading or participating in an Alternative Break trip, contact the CCE!

Food Justice Committee

 

Like to Garden? Do you love food? Do you want to help out the community in an active way?

Join the Food Justice Committee!!!

 

Hi Everyone!

My name is Nicolle and I am interning at the Center for Community Engagement this semester!

The photo/quote above was something that I saw when I was scrolling through Pinterest. I love Pinterest. It always amazes me how many great ideas people have. Not only that, but I have gotten some great recipies off of Pinterest! There are also days when I go on Pinterest and I feel so encouraged by quotes, such as the one above, and the stories that people are able to share just by "pinning" something on their "board."

Yesterday, I felt so inspired, and it was not because of something I saw on Pinterest or another social media site. I felt inspired because of what I saw at the Service Fair that took place alongside Eastern's Activity Fair. There was table after table exhibiting all the amazing community programs, alternative break opportunities and special events taking place this academic year. Student leaders sat next to community members conversing about their projects and why they were important to them. Posters, flyers, stickers, sunglasses and candy made the tables look so interesting and engaging.

As I watched Eastern students, from freshmen to seniors, walk up to these tables, I saw faces light up with passion as genuine conversations took place on what issues interested them. Pages and pages were filled on student interest sheets with names, phone numbers and e-mails of those interested in reaching out to the community through volunteering.

There were tables featuring the CCE, the Food Justice Committee, the Alternative Break Program, The Access Agency, WAIM, Relay for Life, afterschool programs, The Journey House, tutoring programs and so many more!

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to run a table and everyone who supported the Service Fair. I love that I do not have to just read the quotes  on Pinterest, or  just hear about great things happening around the world on the news to be inspired. By seeing how many people were interested in signing up and wanted to find out more information about all the community service opportunities happening this year, I know that there is going to be some amazing, encouraging and inspiring things happening right here in Willimantic, Connecticut!

The Service Fair was only the beginning; Let's get started Eastern Connecticut State University Student Volunteers!

 

"The ones who are crazy enough think they can change the world are the ones that do." ~Gandhi

We are half way through September! I am sure by now you have come across your first paper to write, your first quiz to take, maybe even your first exam to study for.

Before you start making a to-do list of everything you have to catch up on, take a moment to think about what you are passionate about. Why are you majoring in that particular field of study? What is it that you love to do?

The Center for Community Engagement is here to provide ways for you to use your passions to help others. You can find some amazing community programs and special events happening this semester by visiting the CCE website www.eaternct.edu/communityengagement or visiting the CCE at its new location, 333 Prospect Street.

This week, there will also be an opportunity for you to talk to CCE staff and community members in person. Where you ask? At the...

Student Activities and Community Service Fair, Webb Lawn

Wednesday, September 18th from 5-7pm

This is an event you don't want to miss! If you are unsure about how you want to get involved or even what event/program to take part in, this is the place to be.

So before you plan out your week, make sure you mark this event in your planner, your smart phone or iCalendar. We look forward to meeting all of you and hearing all about what you want to accomplish this semester!

 

Keep Calm and Volunteer On

This is our unofficial motto at the CCE right now. 

We have had a hectic beginning of September. With our Warrior Welcome Service Project, move to a new location (333 Prospect St., the beautiful big yellow Victorian house right by Nutmeg), and our Service Fair (Sept. 10) coming up, and beginning to plan for all of Community Programs, Special Events, and Alternative Break Trips, we have been going non-stop. 

Many of you who are reading this are Eastern students and are probably feeling overwhelmed with your classes, work load, and the many opportunities that Eastern has to offer through internships, jobs, and leadership opportunities on and off campus. 

The last thing you may want to think about right now is that someone may be depending on you to tutor them, provide guidance and mentorship, or need your help to make sure a homeless shelter can operate for someone to have shelter. These responsibilities may seem like an extra burden rather than something fun and you may think you have absolutely positively no time in your schedule to take them on. 

Take a step back now from all of the chaos and work that comes with being a college student. Think about what it is like to tutor a child or play a sport with a high school student and show them that its cool to play by the rules. Think about how that one moment can impact that person for the rest of their life. 

Walking into the CCE, you may feel uncertain about what you want to do or how you will ever fit volunteering into your schedule. But that's why we're here! Our jobs revolve around finding opportunities that match your passion or helping you explore careers or general volunteer opportunities that you're curious to learn more about. We offer Community Programs, Alternative Break Trips, and Special Events so that there is enough variety for anyone to get involved.

You can find us at 333 Prospect St. (a.k.a. the aforementioned big beautiful yellow Victorian house right by Nutmeg Hall) or contact us at cce@easternct.edu. You can also give us a call at 860-465-0090.

We look forward to meeting you this year!

-Jacqui De Cormier, AmeriCorps*VISTA

August and September Volunteer Opportunities

We have quite the calendar of opportunities coming up this month and next!

August 27: Warrior Welcome Service Projects, Willimantic, CT
Incoming freshmen and transfer students signed up to volunteer at 11 project sites including making gifts to donate, community gardens, and volunteering with high school students!

September 10: Service Fair, Webb Lawn, Eastern Connecticut State University 
If you want to get involved in one of our amazing Community Programs (i.e. tutor a student over the period of a semester, become a mentor to a student, volunteer with those who are homeless or recovering from an addiction) then this is the place for you to speak directly with our community partners and sign up to learn more about how you can get involved!

September 15: CureSearch Walk for Children's Cancer, Hartford, CT 
Do you want to bring more awareness and support to children's canacer? Form a team and fundraise to participate in a walk of solidarity with others who feel the same way.

September 20: Poverty Awareness Marathon, Eastern Connecticut State University
Bring a can or some money and join in the marathon around Eastern's campus to bring awareness that poverty can occur all over the world to anyone. You can walk or run for as many laps as you want!

September 24: Connecticut Mobile Food Truck, Willimantic, CT
For those who are unable to access fresh groceries, the CT Mobile Food Truck provides a way for them to obtain fresh produce and groceries for them and their families.

If you have any questions about our Community Programs or Special Events, email the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu


* Transportation is provided for most Special Events and all Community Programs

CCE's Fall 2013 Volunteer Opportunities!!

We are thrilled to show off our Fall 2013 Volunteer Opportunities!

 

If your interested in a Communtiy Program, email Luis Rodríguez, Assistant Director of the CCE at rodriguezlu@easternct.edu.

 

If you want to get involved in a Special Event, email Max Goto, AmeriCorps*VISTA of the CCE at gotom@easternct.edu.

 

If you don't see something you're interested in or passionate about, contact the CCE at cce@easternct.edu to start a new initiatve or program!