thanks for reading thus far. updates to come later in the summer.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Graduation Day
Today, I graduated my first City Year. I hate to say that my blog didn't go as planned this year, however I am happy to report that I'm coming back for another. City Year and City Heroes were a great experience and I'm happy that it's what I decided to do after college. I still feel young and that I have a lot to offer. Contrary to popular belief, I am not burned out or exhausted. I'm looking forward to another term with the corps. There are many amazing and inspirational people joining me, as well as many who are still on staff. I will miss some that are unfortunately leaving City Year but I will make an effort to keep in touch with those who are important to me.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Bronx Building Bronx
“We’re proud to be serving in the Mott Haven community today. The name Bronx Building Bronx comes from the principle that there is no more powerful service than that from the inside. Created for the community, by the community, all of these projects have been hand picked by City Year with the intention of sustainability and tradition. To show our appreciation, City Year is hosting a street fair, where volunteers and community members can celebrate a day of powerful service. Community-based organizations, local businesses and entertainment, and youth attractions will be present. By the end of the day, over 300 volunteers will have served 600 hours of physical service, beautifying and improving gardens, schools, and community centers. Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
For the past 12 weeks, I’ve been a part of the Ad-Lo team for Bronx Building Bronx. Spending time away from the Heroes to work on a new project at first seemed like a demanding and annoying chore, but after working with the extraordinary members of this team, and seeing what the other committees have been working on, I am so happy I took the initiative to join (even if it was late.)
This committee is helping to expand my work ethic by giving me more independent work projects aimed toward a different audience. Also, I am able to apply the skills I’ve learned about working on a team from Heroes.
Bronx Building Bronx is one week away, and the anticipation is a deep swell of sweet emotion.
Heroes update coming soon!
For the past 12 weeks, I’ve been a part of the Ad-Lo team for Bronx Building Bronx. Spending time away from the Heroes to work on a new project at first seemed like a demanding and annoying chore, but after working with the extraordinary members of this team, and seeing what the other committees have been working on, I am so happy I took the initiative to join (even if it was late.)
This committee is helping to expand my work ethic by giving me more independent work projects aimed toward a different audience. Also, I am able to apply the skills I’ve learned about working on a team from Heroes.
Bronx Building Bronx is one week away, and the anticipation is a deep swell of sweet emotion.
Heroes update coming soon!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Heroes Mid-Year Report
Well, here we are at mid-year and I haven't said anything in three months. That's the nature of the game, though. In the winter time, your mind, along with the city, gets covered in ice and snow, and you're only trying to get warm. City Heroes was no exception. As the first team to do the program, we've had our issues, but it's not without a great lesson to be learned. First and foremost, though, I've gained some insight and experience. PITW #159: "This is hard. Be strong."
Heroes Mid-Year Report:
If all the world’s a team, the youth of New York City are its most valuable players. Every Saturday since January 19th, starting at 9 a.m. the Harlem and South Bronx City Hero teams have greeted, on average, 45 Heroes per site, participated in Unity Rally, and put in a full day’s work building teams and relationships, planning projects, and listening and participating with guest speakers.
The concept is pretty impressive for a group of students who’ve also been in school since Monday.
City Heroes was created so that Young Heroes who graduated middle school could still be connected with the program until they were old enough to be Corps Members if they decided to do so. For the lifetime of the program, about 10 years, the City Heroes model followed that of the Young Heroes, which was a community service and education based day.
As of this year, City Year New York is using a new model that focuses on a more proactive and critical way of designing and facilitating independent service projects instead of only participating in them. Every week, the Heroes build on another aspect of an arching topic that will eventually be a part of a service project they will plan and facilitate in their teams. Harlem City Heroes are working gentrification and the South Bronx is working on violence.
To celebrate their work so far, the City Heroes teams hosted a mid-year retreat, beginning with the “Informing Others” event on Friday, March 13th at City Year New York’s main office in Manhattan. Both the Harlem and South Bronx City Heroes team came together and present projects about various topics relating to violence and gentrification. Bridget Scully, who is the Outreach Coordinator on the Harlem City Heroes said, “We’re really excited to have both high school programs come together for the first time, and see other students who have the same ideas and interests in service as them.”
The Heroes program is also dedicated to helping each participant develop themselves into a more engaged and participating citizen, starting with their schools and neighborhoods. The second part of the retreat had a session specifically for Life After City Heroes. Corps Members shared their experiences and provided resources for opportunities in college, for scholarships, and for summer jobs/activities until school starts again in September.
The City Heroes pledge ends with, “The change begins with me!” and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for every Heroes Saturday.
Heroes Mid-Year Report:
If all the world’s a team, the youth of New York City are its most valuable players. Every Saturday since January 19th, starting at 9 a.m. the Harlem and South Bronx City Hero teams have greeted, on average, 45 Heroes per site, participated in Unity Rally, and put in a full day’s work building teams and relationships, planning projects, and listening and participating with guest speakers.
The concept is pretty impressive for a group of students who’ve also been in school since Monday.
City Heroes was created so that Young Heroes who graduated middle school could still be connected with the program until they were old enough to be Corps Members if they decided to do so. For the lifetime of the program, about 10 years, the City Heroes model followed that of the Young Heroes, which was a community service and education based day.
As of this year, City Year New York is using a new model that focuses on a more proactive and critical way of designing and facilitating independent service projects instead of only participating in them. Every week, the Heroes build on another aspect of an arching topic that will eventually be a part of a service project they will plan and facilitate in their teams. Harlem City Heroes are working gentrification and the South Bronx is working on violence.
To celebrate their work so far, the City Heroes teams hosted a mid-year retreat, beginning with the “Informing Others” event on Friday, March 13th at City Year New York’s main office in Manhattan. Both the Harlem and South Bronx City Heroes team came together and present projects about various topics relating to violence and gentrification. Bridget Scully, who is the Outreach Coordinator on the Harlem City Heroes said, “We’re really excited to have both high school programs come together for the first time, and see other students who have the same ideas and interests in service as them.”
The Heroes program is also dedicated to helping each participant develop themselves into a more engaged and participating citizen, starting with their schools and neighborhoods. The second part of the retreat had a session specifically for Life After City Heroes. Corps Members shared their experiences and provided resources for opportunities in college, for scholarships, and for summer jobs/activities until school starts again in September.
The City Heroes pledge ends with, “The change begins with me!” and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for every Heroes Saturday.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Heroes Nation 2009
The South Bronx City Heroes are proud to report on what will be their most powerful year of service yet. After 3 months of heavy recruiting, we managed to surpass our original quota of 48 students with attendance nearing 60 at our Heroes Training Academy, the start of the Heroes' service, on January 17th.
Heroes Training Academy is a day of introductions, team building, and a healthy dose of stepping outside of comfort-zones for Heroes and Corps Members alike. The day was filled with activities that challenged the Heroes to get introspective, physical, and contemplative. They even had the opportunity to create and enjoy something edible. "Making Butter - What is Service Learning?" is an activity that shows students how important it is to know the 'how' and 'why' components of a service project. Reflection is one of the most important components of City Year's service mission. In teams of approximately 15, Heroes shared stories about previous service, opinions on how they think service should be, and what they feel will be their greatest challenges and accomplishments for the year, all while passing around and gently shaking plastic bottles filled with heavy cream and marbles.
Heroes across the country were participating in HTA on the 17th and also getting ready for the official start of the program, traditionally held on Martin Luther King Service Day. On January, New York Congressman Anthony Weiner swore in CYNY’s Heroes at Middle School 302 in the South Bronx. Keeping in line with City Year’s service learning model, the heroes participated in a Stereotyping Awareness activity designed by Corps Member Peter Romano of LIC Young Heroes, Harlem Heroes Program Manager Danielle Wolfe, and myself. Afterwards, they worked together to create No-Sew blankets that will be donated to a homeless shelter.
This weekend, SBCH was the only team to participate in their first overnight retreat, held at The Point Community Center in Hunts Point. Forty-five students spent Friday night and all day Saturday gearing up mentally and emotionally for their year of service. This year's theme is Violence in the Community. Based on the curriculum model designed by Bronx Program Manager Erik Estrada, the Heroes will weekly delve deeper into the issue of violence and the ways in which young people can make a difference in their neighborhoods.
We're excited to continue with our program next week, starting with Surface Level Exploration.
To learn more about the heroes program, or how you can be a part of our service by offering your expertise, talents, or opportunities to volunteer, please contact me at EHeerema09@cityyear.org.
Heroes Training Academy is a day of introductions, team building, and a healthy dose of stepping outside of comfort-zones for Heroes and Corps Members alike. The day was filled with activities that challenged the Heroes to get introspective, physical, and contemplative. They even had the opportunity to create and enjoy something edible. "Making Butter - What is Service Learning?" is an activity that shows students how important it is to know the 'how' and 'why' components of a service project. Reflection is one of the most important components of City Year's service mission. In teams of approximately 15, Heroes shared stories about previous service, opinions on how they think service should be, and what they feel will be their greatest challenges and accomplishments for the year, all while passing around and gently shaking plastic bottles filled with heavy cream and marbles.
Heroes across the country were participating in HTA on the 17th and also getting ready for the official start of the program, traditionally held on Martin Luther King Service Day. On January, New York Congressman Anthony Weiner swore in CYNY’s Heroes at Middle School 302 in the South Bronx. Keeping in line with City Year’s service learning model, the heroes participated in a Stereotyping Awareness activity designed by Corps Member Peter Romano of LIC Young Heroes, Harlem Heroes Program Manager Danielle Wolfe, and myself. Afterwards, they worked together to create No-Sew blankets that will be donated to a homeless shelter.
This weekend, SBCH was the only team to participate in their first overnight retreat, held at The Point Community Center in Hunts Point. Forty-five students spent Friday night and all day Saturday gearing up mentally and emotionally for their year of service. This year's theme is Violence in the Community. Based on the curriculum model designed by Bronx Program Manager Erik Estrada, the Heroes will weekly delve deeper into the issue of violence and the ways in which young people can make a difference in their neighborhoods.
We're excited to continue with our program next week, starting with Surface Level Exploration.
To learn more about the heroes program, or how you can be a part of our service by offering your expertise, talents, or opportunities to volunteer, please contact me at EHeerema09@cityyear.org.
Monday, January 12, 2009
New Year, New You/Us
Heroes Nation is approaching, ever so quickly. After a long, but well deserved, break, CYNY heroes are gearing up for their 2009 programming. Enduring some bumps along the way, we're ready to see the students together for a common goal - to make real, sustainable change in their neighborhoods.
I've met only a handful of the students who are brave enough to be heroes and I couldn't be more proud of them. It's a giant sacrifice to give up a Saturday when they would normally be doing something else.
Now we're finishing up the last bits of recruitment, tying together all the last bits and pieces of our Heroes Training Academy and Heroes Opening Day - Martin Luther King Day of Service. I'm looking forward to reporting on the incredible things they, and we, are able to accomplish in the next 4 months.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Don't stop believin'
In my last post, I mentioned how excited I was to be on the PT Crew for the November 15th Make a Difference Day/Hero for a Day service event. I was so excited, that I told a gym full of probably 200 people that I was 24 years old. Hah! Look at me already aging myself. The day went well, but I feel sort of guilty celebrating its success because our team didn’t have any part in planning it. Initially hearing the news that we’re not responsible for an event comes as a relief for the little-Heroes-team-that-could, but in the end, we were merely chaperones, volunteers, supervisors, and clean-up crew. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but in the end, I felt like we could have planned an equally as awesome event and proven to the Heroes that it’s worth joining the program.
Like any other start-up company, the South Bronx City Heroes are still trying to hash out exactly what our role is at our school and within the organization. We’ve been recruiting, planning out our in-school service, and corresponding with the rest of the Corps for best practices, ideas for events, and how to properly implement them while still keeping on par with the City Year overload schedule.
We’re diligently working on it. I swear.
Come January, we’ll have a better sense of how the team executes projects, and what we’re capable of doing. For now, we just have to be flexible, positive, and quick to help (and slow to judge.)
On December 5th, all Heroes CMs had a sneak preview of what our potential to throw a successful Heroes Saturday is. My teamlet, which included Kristina and Paul, lead the Leadership Development event Women’s Empowerment. We were proud to host Emari DiGiorgio, professor of writing and women’s studies at RSCNJ, and Donovan Green, a martial arts expert and gym owner, as our presenter and workshop facilitator in the morning. In the afternoon, we traveled to Safe Horizons Victims’ Assistance Agency and heard from a woman reeling from the aftermath of an extraordinarily horrible act of violence against her daughter, murdered by her husband.
The CMs who participated in the event presented a Women’s Empowerment magazine collage to the office, with hopes they’ll display it.
First semesters are always tough for me. They’re the shortest, and have the most holidays/incomplete weeks. It’s also difficult to get into the grove of your schedule when you don’t necessarily have one. I am trying to get comfortable with our roles, our ideas, and how to most effectively express them. But every experience is a learning tool, and every day is a chance to serve.
And that’s a beautiful thing.
Like any other start-up company, the South Bronx City Heroes are still trying to hash out exactly what our role is at our school and within the organization. We’ve been recruiting, planning out our in-school service, and corresponding with the rest of the Corps for best practices, ideas for events, and how to properly implement them while still keeping on par with the City Year overload schedule.
We’re diligently working on it. I swear.
Come January, we’ll have a better sense of how the team executes projects, and what we’re capable of doing. For now, we just have to be flexible, positive, and quick to help (and slow to judge.)
On December 5th, all Heroes CMs had a sneak preview of what our potential to throw a successful Heroes Saturday is. My teamlet, which included Kristina and Paul, lead the Leadership Development event Women’s Empowerment. We were proud to host Emari DiGiorgio, professor of writing and women’s studies at RSCNJ, and Donovan Green, a martial arts expert and gym owner, as our presenter and workshop facilitator in the morning. In the afternoon, we traveled to Safe Horizons Victims’ Assistance Agency and heard from a woman reeling from the aftermath of an extraordinarily horrible act of violence against her daughter, murdered by her husband.
The CMs who participated in the event presented a Women’s Empowerment magazine collage to the office, with hopes they’ll display it.
First semesters are always tough for me. They’re the shortest, and have the most holidays/incomplete weeks. It’s also difficult to get into the grove of your schedule when you don’t necessarily have one. I am trying to get comfortable with our roles, our ideas, and how to most effectively express them. But every experience is a learning tool, and every day is a chance to serve.
And that’s a beautiful thing.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Call to Serve Rings Loud and Clear Today...
My apologies for being missing-in-action this month. I said I wouldn't bail on the project and here I am not writing. Well, friends, rest assured that this past month we've been working hard at City Year, and off-hours we were rewarding ourselves greatly with culture and extravagant holiday parties. One of which was on Election Night. And what an election it was. At Stevenson Campus YABC (Youth Actively Building a Community Alternative High School), I read a hand-made poster that said, "Rosa sat so Martin could walk... Martin walked so Obama could run... and Obama is running so our children can fly. - Anonymous." I thought that was pretty amazing.
It's a great day for America, and it's a great day for the world, now that President-elect Obama is on his way to the White House. November 5th and 6th have seen a 400 point drop in the Dow, which has many people exasperated and angry, but the joy felt by millions is making it hard to be sympathetic to non-Obama supporters, specifically young Republicans rallying for John McCain. I think the McCain-Palin camp had a harder time than the Obama-Biden camp. It's not a popular time to be a young Republican and the argument for John McCain was rarely heard outside of a Republican circle.
Yesterday I said to my best friend from high school, who is a strong McCain supporter and even stronger Obama hater, "I'm sorry about your boy." I wasn't trying to be a jerk but I just wanted to clear the air. All he said was, "I don't have high expectations from your boy. I hope he proves me wrong." I answered, "Me too." And that's the truth. We loved him when he was campaigning, and now we have to make sure to get on his back for every little thing. Like we do at City Year to our Service Leaders, Program Managers, and Zone Directors. We do it because we love them, and because we care.
It's getting closer to the launch of the 2nd City Heroes program in New York City. In the Bronx, we've been scattered, working to get our priorities in check. Being the first team, it's difficult to figure out what exactly is the most important thing we can do and which projects can wait. I think we're finally get a grip on it. Tonight was our first Parent Orientation, and thanks to previous Young Heroes programs and last year's first-ever CH corps, we had a very successful evening. There were some returning Heroes and some new-comers, both of which brought their fabulous and supportive parents. When I was that age, the last thing I wanted was my parents any where near me.
Two weeks ago was our first Hero for a Day program. We co-hosted a service project at MS 424 with the Young Heroes. While the event was a success, afterwards we felt we could have done it differently, and much better. But, since it was our first time, I will give us the credit we deserve - good job, us. The next Heroes event is planned, programmed, and put together by the NYCE team (THANKS NYCE!!!) and is on November 15th. I'm greatly looking forward to it (and not only because I'm on the PT Crew...!)
It is already November and we're two months into the Corps. As I said in my last post, I am grateful for all the training we get here. Last week we had a Life After City Year (LACY) fair and I was lucky enough to host a table for Stockton College at the College/Career part of the day. While my collateral wasn't as fancy as some other schools' (eh hm.. I'm looking at you, Lehigh), I was proud to tell fellow corps members about RSCNJ. After that, some of us traveled to Bain and Company (one of our sponsors) to work with experts on our resume and interviewing techniques. We were grateful for their time and advice. I thought the day went really well, but at some points was overwhelmed with people. Their office is on the 25th floor of a building in Times Square. It was pretty fancy. I dig it. Tomorrow we're meeting with people from the Deloitte company to be our mentors. That's pretty exciting, too. (I heard there'll be free lunch.)
Someone at the Corps has a CYNY blog that has some really great stories and pictures about corps-wide stories and events. It's definitely something worth browsing through, so you can get a better idea of what we're doing until I get myself a digital camera (that works.) The address is http://cityyearnewyork.blogspot.com.
Until next time, keep in mind that, in service, we can do good and well.
Yes we can, yes we do, and yes we did.
peace.
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