Instead of a midterm exam, we are going to participate in a community project. You will have a chance to apply critical thinking concepts into real world challenges by volunteering for New York Cares.
Post your community project right here, in the comments box below.
New York Cares: newyorkcares.org
“Meets pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service.”
Step 1: Register at newyorkcares.org and complete the online orientation.
Step 2: Browse volunteering opportunities. What are you interested in?
Step 3: Sign up for 1 volunteering session before the end of week 4.
Step 4: Volunteer! by the end of week 6.
Step 5: Write a report about your experience. See guidelines below.
Step 6: Submit your project here.
Community Project Guidelines
Your report should include the following:
Part A) Describe your volunteering activity: what, where, who, how, why, etc.
Part B) Include a picture that captures the essence of your project, with a caption.
Part C) Select 2 of the below course learning outcomes for CRT 100 and explain how you did or did not address them through your project.
Here are 4 of our relevant learning outcomes:
| Type | Outcome | |
| CRT | 1.Demonstrate ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively. | |
| CRT | 2.Demonstrate ability to solve problems and make mindful decisions in academic, personal, and professional situations | |
| Gen ed/ values | 3.Values- Students will be able to make informed choices based on an understanding of personal values, human diversity, multicultural awareness and social responsibility. | |
| FYE | 4.Students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship (e.g., awareness of intellectual property, ethical research, respectful discourse/behaviors) and come to value themselves as members of a diverse academic community that is situated locally, nationally, globally, and digitally. |
26 thoughts on “Community Project”
Today, after my ENG 201 class, I took the time to volunteer at the Visions Services for the Blind and Visually impaired on 135 West 23rd Street (Between 6th and 7th Ave). I chose this project because of my love for arts and crafts, especially making jewelry. I helped two visually impaired gentlemen in making beautiful bracelets, necklaces and earrings that will later be sent out for donations. This project was a great experience, and it gave me an opportunity to socialize with people outside of school and work. There was an instant connection with one of the clients, Alex, after learning that he was a drum teacher. We talked about different rhythms, drums, songs and dances; he even invited me to his evening performance. This project addressed the first learning outcome (CRT) by fully demonstrating my ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically and effectively. To help the visually impaired gentlemen, I had to apply a different approach, such as listening to their needs and making sure that it’s doable. I had to organize the beads in a tray for them and that required logical thinking. I made sure to engage in small conversation while waiting for the leader to arrive to build a connection–this demonstrates critical thinking and effective communication skills. This project also addressed the FYE outcome. It is a great example of how students can become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship. I was driven by this desire to use my skills for a greater purpose which led me to volunteer at the Visions Services for the Blind and Visually impaired. This decision shows social responsibility and an example of a model citizen. I made connections with Alex, one of the gentlemen I was assisting, which demonstrates the positive effect on others and community engagement.
I’ve attached a photo below capturing the beautiful bead craft projects we worked so hard on today.
On Tuesday morning, I took my time to volunteer in helping in distributing food at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church. There were three organizations that partnered with West Side Campaign Against Hunger for this project, New York Cares being one of them. Our part for this project was to pack food bags so they could be handed out to the public. Everyone who volunteered was assigned to a station, I was one of the people in vegetables in charge of the carrots. The people working and volunteering in the pantry were all so kind and friendly, in was such a positive environment. A course learning outcome that was addressed through this project was values. People helping others with basic needs in society, by preparing bags of food to give those who need. As well as FYE being another course learning outcome that was addressed in this project. Being more involved and open to our community, to help.
As shown below, is packs of vegetables for the station I was working at.
For my community project, I decided to participate in helping children with disabilities play soccer. This took place in Astoria, Queens in an indoor soccer field, which I found interesting because I’d never seen or been to one prior to this. My task was straightforward as far as what to do with the kids. However, depending on the kid you were chosen by, impacted your experience. When the children arrived they were allowed to come up to one of us volunteers and chose who they wanted to work/play with. Because almost all of the kids had a disability it was important to treat them with extra care and respect. If a child did not want to play soccer and they just wanted to lay there or simply just run around that was allowed and was advised to do so by the team leader. This was really a time for the kids to get out of the house and be around other kids like themselves without feeling judged or pressured. As well as a time for their parents to enjoy some alone time. The kid that I worked with was Gabriel, he is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade. Lucky for me he already knew how to play soccer and wanted to play unlike some of the other kids there. He is also on a soccer team outside of the volunteer. In a way, he was teaching me how to play. We had a fun time and I could tell he enjoyed working/playing with me. For the most part, we ran around kicking the ball back and forth, trying to get the ball into each other’s goalies. He also taught me a few cool soccer tips for when playing. Additionally, we had conversations about school and how he liked coming to these types of programs. At the end of the session, all volunteers and children joined and shared with the group something they were proud of accomplishing that day. Some learning outcomes I got from participating in this project are being aware of the importance of social responsibility and valuing members of a diverse academic community, where I was able to help support not only children with disabilities but their families too. Having the responsibility of taking care of a child with autism is not something anyone can do, you must have patience and understand that your assigned child can have a breakdown at any time or even burst out and tell you things they might not mean and you cannot take it personally, you need to comprehend that they have no control over what they may say sometimes. This project also gave me the ability to think logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively by being aware of the fact that something could have gone wrong and if it did what procedures I would have needed to take to make sure that child was okay. I was not allowed to take pictures when with the children, but I was able to get a picture inside the field. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would consider doing it again.
IMG_0254
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I go to volunteer at a QCH in forest hills where I specifically focus on the sports that are provided there. I chose this because I go there very often and have a good experience. I have friends there that I hadn’t seen in a while and I am fortunately able to have the opportunity to collab with others, make new bonds and get comfortable with the staff members . When first attending I was a little nervous, usually that’s how it is when trying something new but once i got out of my comfort zone I have definitely grown to be better from such an experience. You can invite friends to come with you and learn or participate in the sport. The session lasts for 3 hours usually where you would sign your name, put the time when you sign and the same when you leave. 2 learning outcomes would be FYE(Students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship) and CRT(Demonstrate ability to think clearly, logically, critically and effectively). These are the outcomes of participating in this environment because they have diverse groups and new players coming in everyday. Its a good way to get active and the organization is actively trying to expand more to an audience with offers of paid employment if possible. Overall amazing organization to collab with, additionally they more things such as trip, arts and crafts etc.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I go to volunteer at a QCH in forest hills where I specifically focus on the sports that are provided there. I chose this because I go there very often and have a good experience. I have friends there that I hadn’t seen in a while and I am fortunately able to have the opportunity to collab with others, make new bonds and get comfortable with the staff members . When first attending I was a little nervous, usually that’s how it is when trying something new but once i got out of my comfort zone I have definitely grown to be better from such an experience. You can invite friends to come with you and learn or participate in the sport. The session lasts for 3 hours usually where you would sign your name, put the time when you sign and the same when you leave. 2 learning outcomes would be FYE(Students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship) and CRT(Demonstrate ability to think clearly, logically, critically and effectively). These are the outcomes of participating in this environment because they have diverse groups and new players coming in everyday. Its a good way to get active and the organization is actively trying to expand more to an audience with offers of paid employment if possible. Overall amazing organization to collab with, additionally they more things such as trip, arts and crafts etc.
QCH
My participation in the community project at St. Paul Church, located at 263 West 86th, was a profoundly meaningful experience that expanded my horizons in unexpected ways. The mission for the day was clear: to pack bags of food containing fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins for those in need.
From the moment I arrived at the church, I was greeted cheerfully by our group leader (Kate Konetzke). Her cheerful demeanor set the tone for the day, as she provided brief but essential instructions to ensure our work would be both enjoyable and productive. Our group consisted of eight participants, including myself, and we spent no time diving into the task at hand.
Surprisingly, the two hours flew by unnoticed since the atmosphere within our group was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Engaging in conversation with fellow volunteers, many of whom were older and possessed a wealth of life experiences, was a highlight of the day. Their guidance and wisdom served as a source of inspiration, driving me to contribute to the cause with more vigor, though!
Adding to the ambiance, Coldplay songs was playing softly in the small speaker in the back, lending a sense of relaxation to our work. Amidst the bustling activity, I had the pleasure of striking up a conversation with YiYang, a law graduate student from Columbia University. Instantly, we found common ground in our shared passion for the law and our mutual desire to aid those facing adversity.
As we exchanged stories, YiYang surprisingly encouraged me to apply to Columbia Law School. In fact, I had already thought about it before; however, the chances of entering such a prestigious university made me reluctant to decide. But now that I have YiYang’s help and his broader experience, I feel that it is not impossible and perhaps there is a place waiting for me in Columbia if I built a powerful application. Getting back to the project, I was surprised by the group’s willingness to offer me support and guidance during the project. That only made me confirm that these organization (New York Cares) are full of people who, far from aspiring to achieve their own benefit, aspire to create an environment where help is the first step that consolidates a more bearable future.
Reflecting on the experience, I realized that while I may not be able to apply my critical thinking skills, the values and lessons learned were invaluable. Participating in initiatives aimed at helping others, especially those most in need, fosters a strong sense of empathy and community engagement. Furthermore, forging connections with individuals such my fellow friend YiYang underscores the importance of meaningful relationships in personal and professional growth.
To sum up, my New York Cares project not only provided me an opportunity to contribute to the community but also served as a help for personal development and social awareness. It reinforced the notion that by working together and supporting one another, we can create positive change and build a more supportive society.
Community Project Report
I volunteered at the Florence E. Smith Senior Services in Queens, Corona; my job was to pack meals for seniors. E. Smith Senior Services is an organization that helps seniors with recreation, education, home-delivered and congregate meals, and information/referrals.
I arrived at the Florence E. Smith Senior Services in Queens, Corona, a few minutes before the volunteer event commenced. This early arrival allowed me to familiarize myself with the space and meet the other volunteers. The tranquility of the space was the first thing that struck me. As we waited for the event to begin, I observed a grandfather strolling with a radio, the volume turned up high. His unabashed enjoyment of the music was not just endearing, it was inspiring. It made me reflect on my own fears of aging. I used to dread growing old, believing it would be a time of hardship and loneliness. However, witnessing the seniors at E. Smith Senior Services not just enjoying, but truly reveling in the simplest pleasures of life, such as music and dance, completely changed my perspective. It was a profound realization that I want to approach my senior years with the same zest and joy.
CRT: Demonstrate ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively. -> I didn’t use critical thinking while doing the task I was assigned at the volunteer event because it was straightforward: Putting an apple in a bag and giving it to the other packer.
FYE: Students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship (e.g., awareness of intellectual property, ethical research, respectful discourse/behaviors) and come to value themselves as members of a diverse academic community that is situated locally, nationally, globally, and digitally. -> It was a very valuable activity for me because helping others made me feel part of the community and the solution.
Note: I didn’t take a picture at the event, but here is a similar picture of what I did.
Volunteer
For my community project, I volunteered with my church to hand out packaged food and clothes to those in need. The location where this was done was at 149 street near 3rd avenue. We had to two separate tables lined up, one for the food and one for clothes. I was in charge of putting all the food, drinks and snacks into the bag and then handing them out. Although it was with my church I also did it with my mom as well, her and the church often help those in need. I was really interested in doing this because not only did it make me feel good, but it was really interesting to see different people come by and talking to them. Some didn’t have food for days and we were passing them there first meals after weeks of not eating. We sang happy birthday to a woman who didn’t have family to celebrate with, many just needed someone to talk to, a hug, or just a meal, it was really moving. One of the learning outcomes from (CRT) I believe I demonstrated throughout the project was being able to demonstrate ability to solve problems and make mindful decisions in academic, personal, and professional situations. While doing this volunteer you are working with many different people and sometimes having to deal with more than one thing, it can get overwhelming, but it’s was teaching me to just stay calm and organize your thoughts and what you are doing and have patience. It definitely was a learning experience I enjoyed and would do again.
The Attachment below is just showing me and the women of the church including my Pastor, preparing and serving the food to those on the line.
For my community project i choose Washington Heights – Assemble and Pack Food Bags
Time -Thursday, March 7 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM
I choose this one because Volunteering to assemble and pack food bags has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. It’s a chance to connect with my community in a meaningful way and make a direct impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity.
My classmate georges also went to this project with me. After i went there, the team leader greeted us and asked us to wait. There I noticed the presence of people of different ages. They all came to participate in this project like us. The group leader explained the work to all of us and asked everyone to start their work individually. We first let them pack the vegetables onion, carrot, sweet potato, broccoli. We made about 250 packs of vegetables very happily. Then we kept all the packages apart and started preparing for another new task. Now the group leader told us to make a package for the fruits, there will be a mixture of different fruits. We probably made 270 packs there. We were enjoying this work so much that we didn’t feel boring at all so music was being played for us. Seeing that many of us were tired, many others including the leader were cheering us up which gave us a boost which we really liked.
The most meaningful aspect of this experience is the connections I’ve formed with my fellow volunteers. We all come from different backgrounds and walks of life, but we’re bound together by a shared commitment to serving others. Through our shared experiences and shared purpose, we’ve built a sense of community and solidarity that transcends the confines of the volunteer center.
Volunteering to assemble and pack food bags has taught me valuable lessons about empathy, compassion, and the power of collective action. It’s shown me that by coming together and supporting one another, we can create positive change in our communities and in the world at large. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
For my community project i choose Washington Heights – Assemble and Pack Food Bags
Time -Thursday, March 7 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM
I choose this one because Volunteering to assemble and pack food bags has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. It’s a chance to connect with my community in a meaningful way and make a direct impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity.
My classmate georges also went to this project with me. After i went there, the team leader greeted us and asked us to wait. There I noticed the presence of people of different ages. They all came to participate in this project like us. The group leader explained the work to all of us and asked everyone to start their work individually. We first let them pack the vegetables onion, carrot, sweet potato, broccoli. We made about 250 packs of vegetables very happily. Then we kept all the packages apart and started preparing for another new task. Now the group leader told us to make a package for the fruits, there will be a mixture of different fruits. We probably made 270 packs there. We were enjoying this work so much that we didn’t feel boring at all so music was being played for us. Seeing that many of us were tired, many others including the leader were cheering us up which gave us a boost which we really liked.
The most meaningful aspect of this experience is the connections I’ve formed with my fellow volunteers. We all come from different backgrounds and walks of life, but we’re bound together by a shared commitment to serving others. Through our shared experiences and shared purpose, we’ve built a sense of community and solidarity that transcends the confines of the volunteer center.
This project illustrates me with 4th learning outcomes (FYE) where students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship (e.g., awareness of intellectual property, ethical research, respectful discourse/behaviors) and come to value themselves as members of a diverse academic community that is situated locally, nationally, globally, and digitally.
Volunteering to assemble and pack food bags has taught me valuable lessons about empathy, compassion, and the power of collective action. It’s shown me that by coming together and supporting one another, we can create positive change in our communities and in the world at large. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
I volunteered on March 8th, it was early in the day between 10 am and 12:30 pm. I volunteered with a group called Encore Community Services located at 239 West 49th Street where they had the volunteers deliver food to those who were stuck at home due to some sort of issue. The service had us, in pairs and provided us address and diet information of each person. The service explained things decently and provided a Lyft to and from the locations. The buildings were close in proximity and were walking distance from each other. We had carriers filled with food and were able to get to everyone at a reasonable time. Something funny happened to me and my partner while we were in one of the buildings the elevator got stuck. It wouldn’t go down or up and it wouldn’t close properly. Luckily we didn’t need to get the fire department because the custodian working the floor had managed to force the doors open. We joked about how it would suck for the elders to miss out on their food because we got stuck in the elevator.
CRT: While me and my partner were delivering the food there were some problems we came face with. One problem was we couldn’t see which food was what. The foods were placed in black bags that weren’t labeled. Some were cold and some were hot, and it was an issue that needed to be solved since some of the people had diets and food restrictions. We ultimately had to open the bags and organize them properly. Another issue we came across was two people weren’t able to get their food because the company failed to properly back the food. We ended up coming across the person who didn’t get their food and had to explain to them that they would be sending someone over to deliver the food. The poor guy was hungry and had to wait for a later time to get his meal. I didn’t learn anything here but thought that maybe the company could’ve done better in meal prep.
Values: It was a nice day out and I had picked this project because I thought it would be nice to deliver food and give them a chance to see a friendly face. a lot of the people were elderly and it was nice to hand them their food and have some small talk. You never truly know what is going on in someone’s life and seeing a friendly face or speaking to them could do them good. I know that there are a lot of elderly people who don’t see family due to them being busy with work or simply because their children don’t care for them as they used to. No one should ever feel alone and delivering to their homes they know and understand that there are people there who care.
(Picture of the location).
In my community project, I was volunteering in a chess club at queens library and teaching children how to play chess. It was a decent experience. I didn’t have to teach much because most of the kids knew how to play already. I just had to teach them certain strategies that they didn’t know before which was a fun experience. What I felt like was the most important was the patience. Some children were able to catch on faster than others but sometimes I had to repeat myself while playing. One thing I realized after the day was over was that I’m a terrible teacher but a pretty good communicator. It was easy to teach the basics but the strategies themselves were rather difficult. The first thing I did was ask for their name and if they had played chess before, which most of them had. So, most of the time I just started the game and showed them how they can go about certain situations, like if their king is in check or if some of their important pieces are in trouble. I went about teaching by teaching them strategies like castling, how to control the middle of the board and what to do when your king is in check. But even with teaching with these strategies, I lost more times than I won. I realized that most kids that were there were rather smart and knew how to play really well. Most of the kids were in elemetary school so I was happy that they were learning really fast. I also learned a lot about how I play chess and how I should improve my game. I was going to take a picture of a chess game with the children that I taught, but the supervisor said before the event that pictures aren’t allowed because none of the parents aggreed and they didn’t sign a form.
Ana Victoria
My volunteering activity was an interesting project. I had to play checkmate with children ages 7 to 10. This project took place at a school in the Bronx called PS.18-John Peter Zenger School. The group of collaborators was 4 people including me, I thought they were going to be people my age but they were adults and in addition to that we had 3 super friendly teachers supervising the children. Each one had to play with a child or in a group. I had a 9-year-old girl named Juju. From what I could understand, the children already knew how to play chess, they were just practicing for a competition the school was having. So basically these kids were going to compete with other students from another school. They brought water and snacks so that the children and others could eat while they played. Although I don’t know how to play chess, I felt very comfortable and they were very kind to me. The girl Juju taught me how to play chess and let me win. The teachers helped me a little. This experience was nostalgic for me because it reminded me of when I was her age and I was in school.
Two of the course learning outcomes for CRT 100 that I selected are, “Demonstrate ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively”, And the other is, “Students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship (e.g., awareness of intellectual property, ethical research, respectful discourse/behaviors) and come to value themselves as members of a diverse academic community that is situated locally, nationally, globally, and digitally”. I selected the first one because I feel it goes well with the type of game we were playing in my project, which is checkmate. I showed that even though I didn’t know how to play, it doesn’t mean that I couldn’t and since in chess a person has to think about their moves because if not they will lose their castle. This can demonstrate the ability of a person to think clearly, logically and more. The second one I chose was the fourth sentence and it is because I understood how important it is to share and participate in events like these. These projects are to help our society, children and people who need them. It was something I didn’t want to do at first but it became something I would do from time to time in the future.
I know this organization is heard and seen everywhere especially around the Holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Being able to volunteer for the Salvation Army really brought memories from when I was in the orchestra. The Salvation does so much for those who need help, I was glad that I was able to volunteer for their soup kitchen specifically called the Salvation army Manhattan Citadel. I had to fill a form online with what I wanted to volunteer for and a couple days later they called me asking if I wanted to volunteer, they were so patient with me and gave me options to where I wanted to be located and explained what I would be doing. When I got there I was greeted by other volunteers, I got close to Amy who told me her life story and the struggles she faced and how the salvation army was able to help her and now she volunteers to help others by giving out food. I met many people who were struggling and many families too. My mom has taught me to always help others when I can, so volunteering in my community felt really good and I’m hoping I can do it again when I have free time.
The Salvation Army provides various social services and assistance to those in need. They offer aid in areas such as homelessness, addiction recovery, disaster relief, food assistance and more. In addition, there’s many Salvation Army facilities such as thrift stores, social, and religious services all over the United States. One can go online and donate and become a volunteer to assist others. Or donate to your local thrift store any unwanted clothing and household items.
This project Addressed the second learning outcome (CTR) by making mindful decisions, personal, and being in a professional situations. I had to be mindful of people’s situation and yes there would be some rude people who I had to try not to make the situations personal and would just smile and tell them to “have a good day”. Even though it looks or sounds easy handing out food, one needs good communications skills and logical thinking. Furthermore, the project also addressed FYE outcome, this really brought our social responsibility and value myself as a member of a diverse community.
Here is the entrance of the Salvation Army. They were getting ready to set things up before the handout.
For my community project I volunteered at the neighborhood Red Hook in downtown Brooklyn to participate in distributing food and other helpful resources to those in need and the elderly. There were a few people who were seemingly my age or a bit older who also participated in volunteering at the facility, and I do believe they each came from different backgrounds/communities to provide help in this assisting project. The main mission or task that we were given was to pack all varieties of foods neatly so that in due time they would eventually distributed to places or people who were in need, which could have varied from elderly people to homeless shelters from what I was told by the instructor. Overall, the other volunteers along with group leaders had a very positive and driven attitude which I respected, and thought was very generous to see such a diverse group doing the city a favor. I would say the course learning outcome I observed from this experience was the outcome of “Values” since so many people took the time out of their day for just a few hours to serve the people and deliver what every human should rightfully deserves (goods) was just a perfect representation of how humans, who might not even know each other familiarly still have heart and values to provide for others who are in need of assistance. Unfortunately, while I was volunteering at this facility, time did go by incredibly fast and we were all so busy and worked up that I completely forgot about taking a photo of the tasks performed but I did find a similar photo demonstrating what course of action was being taken.
For my community project, I volunteered at Little of the Assumption Family Health Service located at 333 East 115th Street in Manhattan the building is located between 1st and 2nd Avenue. My part in the project was providing tutoring and homework help to children from kindergarten to 5th grade. I’ll be honest I’m not the best with kids I find them to be a lot so I don’t have the patience for them so going into this project I was like man this is not going to be great but after doing it I’ll be honest it wasn’t so bad like I didn’t hate it at all I was able to help kids with English, math and writing the kids were pretty cool as well I expected them to be loud and not listen as much I mean they still were but it was a lot of fun for me. Two of the course learning outcomes for CRT 100 that I selected are, demonstrate an ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively”, and the other is demonstrate an ability to solve problems and make mindful decisions in academic, personal, and professional situations. I selected the first one because there were some situations where I had to think about how I get through to the kids when they wouldn’t listen or understand what I was explaining to them I had to take a different approach because I mean they are just kids they didn’t know better the second one goes with the first one because I did have to be mindful in how I talk to the kids and how I responded to them because they are small I didn’t want to be a bad example towards them the kids asked me a lot of questions about my piercings that seemed to be the most common topic which is understandable they are curious about them so I just explained to them the best way I could why I have them on my face, unfortunately, I was unable to take a picture because I was mostly trying to get them to focus on the work and I lost track of time I had to get to my next class on time but they were lovely kids one of them had the same name as my little cousin
For my community project I volunteered at an elementary school teaching kids SEL (Social Emotional Learning). The group of children I worked with were in grades 2nd through 3rd. I assisted the teacher with building relationships and teaching mindfulness to the students. So I believe that this project aligns with all of the critical thinking outcomes. Outcome number one which is to demonstrate the ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively aligns with my project because I had to try different techniques to communicate and connect with the students. I had to stop and think of things to say frequently while speaking to the children and trying to resolve conflicts between them. During my time there two students began acting out so I decided to take one of the children for a walk to cool him down and he told me he was behaving this way because he forgot his homework book. I walked him to his classroom to get it and he calmed down, this aligns with the second outcome which is to demonstrate ability to solve problems and make mindful decisions in academic, personal, and professional situations. I chose to volunteer here because I feel like it can help me at my job as well being that I work with children after school.
I found immense joy in volunteering at PS. 249, my mother’s school, where she teaches fifth grade. I was motivated by two things: helping my mother in her capacity as a teacher and advancing student academic progress. I had a strong desire to help my mother and her students in any way I could during my time there. One of the primary ways I helped was by offering my mother’s students personalized support whenever they needed it. I was there to make sure every student had the tools they required to succeed, whether that meant offering more practice exercises, helping with homework, or breaking down a challenging idea. I also worked closely with my mother to simplify the grading procedure, which reduced her burden and freed her up to focus more on teaching. Beyond the benefit of volunteering, it was also a pleasurable experience. In addition to being well-mannered and hardworking, the students at PS. 249 also had a lot of comedy and energy. As a result of our daily conversations, I was able to observe their commitment to their studies and their excitement for learning. Seeing how much they loved their education and how committed they were to doing well academically gave me hope. Overall, I felt a great sense of gratitude and fulfillment from my time spent helping at PS. 249. I am appreciative that I had the chance to work with my mother, helping her in her important role as an educator, and that I was able to contribute in some tiny way to the children’s academic journeys at the school. I will always treasure the experience because it was so incredibly educational. A critical analysis was essential to determining how effective my choice was. I performed an in-depth review of the possible results, taking into account several situations and backup plans. This made it possible for me to anticipate obstacles and make appropriate plans, guaranteeing that my voluntary work would have the greatest possible impact. Everything came together with effective thinking, which led me to act on my thorough, logical, analytical, and clear assessments. It gave me the motivation and drive to volunteer at PS. 249 to have the greatest beneficial influence on the school community. Being a volunteer at PS. 249 required thoughtful decision-making and diverse problem-solving. To successfully help my mother and make a meaningful contribution to the school community, I had to exercise careful thinking and adaptability in every scenario, whether I was managing personal encounters with children, tackling academic problems, or working in partnership with teachers.
I did two community project : I did two community projects: City Harvest Food Rescue Center,Tue Mar 12 2024,2PM – 4:30PM and Washington Heights/180th Street – West Side Campaign Against Hunger,Thu Mar 7 2024,10:15AM – 12:30PM.To tell the truth,/ chose those two because they were more or less easy to carry out, since it was my first experience. I have never volunteered before and it was a pleasant experience. I was doing something meaningful for the benefit of others.I also made some connection with people who wanted to help people in need. For the Washington heights project, I was with my classmate Rony. The place was made especially for volunteers as one regular volunteer there told us.We packed healthy food such as fruits and vegetables. We were assigned individual post to make the work easier. We were with other regular volunteers. It was kind of an assembly line work Each person was assigned an individual action, one 3-4 carrots, one 2-3 potatoes, etc… The goal was first to make a good healthy bag of food with a correct proportion and make as much as possible. The most meaningful experience I made over there was with a woman. It started with a small talk. She was complimented me on my work saying I was fast and efficient while helping others to put food in the bags when the need come. Then she noticed my accent and asked where I come from.I said I come from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast ).She said she visited Nigeria and Senegal but she does not know my country. I told her it was kind of near my country and she should visit my country since it was a beautiful country. She told me she will and it makes me happy. For the city harvest project I had to pack apples. Before starting the work we were in a room where the group leader showed us how meaningful our presence was. She showed us for how long they were doing volunteers and how their work benefit others. Some volunteers were from New York City care and the others were from the city harvest portal.
We were in groups of 5 packing bags of 10 apples. The work was a little bit demanding so to make it easier we divide the work. Two people packed the apples, two putted the bags in the barrel, one ticked a small object to count each bags we put in the barrel. And we rotate each position to not feel bored. The work was now faster and less demanding.
Those two projects illustrates the 4th learning outcome (FYE). I was aware of my responsibilities. And by taking it seriously, l was able to help other and push my coworkers for doing a good job. But also the 2nd outcome. By having the idea of dividing the work due to my experience at Washington heights project, demonstrate my ability to solve problem ands make mindful decision.
My volunteering day was on Saturday, March 9 in Redhook near the community center. The activity was to dig out weeds around the trees so they could be ready for molt. I thought I was going to be planting flowers or something but upon arriving I wasn’t completely disappointed. I brought a friend and the Leader was really nice. Other volunteers met on the steps of the community center and the atmosphere was very peaceful. Across the street, there were kids playing soccer so we could occasionally hear the parents scream when one team made a goal. When everyone arrived, the team leader instructed us on how to pull out weeds and gave us each a weed puller and garden gloves. People were divided into groups and when one tree was finished, the team would go around the building. While others were instructed to get the molt that goes around the trees, I teamed up with my friend and we were given a large brown bag to put the soil in. The team leader was very helpful and made the experience comfortable. I found myself enjoying the chillness of the activity and pulling out the weeds was very satisfying. I will say though that I could’ve talked more with the other volunteers. I stayed with the person I knew and I think it would be more beneficial to me to try and get out of my comfort zone with speaking with others. I already signed up for another volunteering and I can’t wait for that.
One learning outcome I feel like I learned is to have a social responsibility for the little bit of land worth taking care of in this big city. The amount of cigarette buds, bottle caps and such littered where the trees should be growing were things I never thought about before the project. However, the FYE I did take from the project was to value the work that the people of my community put into taking care of the little gardens in front of our buildings. I once saw a group of volunteers in front of my building last summer and even though it’s been months, I admire the effort they put in, especially in the hot summer heat vs when it rained toward the end when I volunteered
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As part of my community project, I took time to volunteer to assist immigrants in the asylum of those in need of basic necessities such as food and water. It took place in tremont. I was greeted by 4 individuals in the local community who were very welcoming and helpful. We collected a variety of food items, including fresh produce, canned goods, and water, aimed to offer a nutritious array of food for each person. During the event, I was assigned the role of organizing and sorting the items. I was able to interact with the community directly and have a deeper understanding of their needs thanks to this hands-on experience. In addition, I approached each task with a clear & logical mindset, and I was able to contribute effectively to the success of the project. The community project I chose to participate in had a big impact since it allowed us to relieve the burden of food insecurity for immigrants living in the Bronx by giving them access to basic food supplies. My views on the importance of community-driven projects and the necessity of applying critical and logical thinking to complicated societal challenges have been strengthened by this experience.
I volunteered to help out to carry bags of food from the bread bakery store to drop at the shelter. It was about a half mile walk to the shelter. I picked to volunteer out of all the other choices because it was near by and something I feel like I would enjoy doing and feel good doing after. We all met at the bread bakery shop at 8pm, right when the store closed. They packed all the left over foods and put them in paper bags. There was probably about 15 bags worth of food for us to take over to the shelter. We all walked together to the shelter carrying about 3-4 bags each person. It was about a 30 minute adventure, after dropping off the bags we all parted ways.
Values- Students will be able to make informed choices based on an understanding of personal values, human diversity, multicultural awareness and social responsibility. Students will become aware of the importance of social responsibility and citizenship (e.g., awareness of intellectual property, ethical research, respectful discourse/behaviors) and come to value themselves as members of a diverse academic community that is situated locally, nationally, globally, and digitally.
I believe these two outcomes was address through out my project because it’s nice to see that there is store out there that work with volunteers and will take the time out their day to pack food that was didn’t get sold and will donate them away. It is so thoughtful since there is a lot of places that will just throw away fresh food. We as humans just in America waste 38% of food. That’s an insane big percentage when there is so many people starving. It is a problem that I would love to help out in way that I can. Even though when I volunteered it was a quick task but it was heartwarming knowing that you made an impact in someones life just because it is nice knowing you can help out and take the time out your day to deliver someone who is in need of something.
On March 7th, I assisted with homework help at the Little Sisters of Assumption Family Health Services in East Harlem. This project stuck out to me because of its location. It’s in the neighborhood I grew up in, and I would frequently visit the thrift store connected to it with my aunt as a child. The reason why I decided on this project was because I wanted to improve my skills in caring for children. I have a three-year-old brother who I’ve helped raise since he was born, and I’ve certainly learned a lot along the way. However, I hoped that providing care for children older than him would advance my skills and prepare me for what’s to come, and I’ll be more prepared and confident in my abilities.
Each volunteer was paired with a child in the grades K-5 at random. The task that was given was to help one student with their homework, and if time permitted, use the rest of the time to read books with them and afterwards play some games together. I worked with a 5-year-old girl named Ximena who, like any other 5-year-old child, wanted to do anything other than homework. Because she was easily distracted and unmotivated, I had to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically, and effectively (CRT 1) to figure out how I could keep her interested in working together and complete her assignments. I tried tuning into her wavelength and adjusted my personality to keep her interested and engaged. It was a bit exhausting as I didn’t know her well, resulting in some of my attempts failing, but I just kept re-tuning.
After a bit of time together, Ximena began to feel more comfortable with me, but it seemed she wasn’t aware of the boundaries that must be kept between a tutor and the student. She kept wanting to gossip about her elementary school drama and asked me many personal questions. Another thing she kept doing was giving me hugs, and the program clearly stated that physical contact with the student was not allowed. To address these, I acknowledged her statement with a short and dull response (as to not entertain) and redirected her attention back to the homework. As for the hugs, it would have been discouraging to simply reject the hug or reprimand her, so I provided an alternative which was to give a high five/ first bump (program allowed this) These both demonstrated my ability to solve problems and make mindful decisions in academic/ professional situations (CRT 2)
Pictured: Me and my baby brother in front of the building. I didn’t feel comfortable taking pictures of a random child, but I figured my brother was fitting since he was my inspiration for choosing the project
-Also, a photo taken from the LSA website: https://littlesistersfamily.org/volunteer/
LSA volunteer site: https://littlesistersfamily.org/volunteer/