miss you guys

: (

have a happy new year!

b-love,

michelle

Assingment Makeup

"As a Franciscan community, Siena strives to embody the vision and values of St. Francis of Assisi: faith in a personal and provident God, reverence for all creation, affirmation of the unique worth of each person, delight in diversity, appreciation for beauty, service with the poor and marginalized, a community where members work together in friendship and respect, and commitment to building a world that is more just, peaceable, and humane.

As Bonners we appreciate the uniqueness of each member of the Bonner family and we welcome diversity. We clearly understand that in order to learn and truly live life to the fullest we must have a broad knowledge of our world and our surroundings therefore we make the most of the diversity that is available for us at the moment and we try to make our world a little more diverse with our everyday by integrating others in our lives and with many of actions and choices. Also, as Boners we understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but because we also know that God is the creator of all things we have the knowledge that everything that surrounds us holds beauty because it was made by God. We serve the poor and marginalized because we are aware that with our actions we can make a difference not only in the lives of many but a difference in the world itself. We are aware that with our actions we can set an example and that we can be the beginning of a different world that's better and more just. Therefore as Bonners we are fulfilling every aspect of the franciscan values but also we are taking the action further because by applying these values to our lives we are giving an example to those who surround us so that the change can have deeper and better effects.

Winter break Placement

I still do not know where i will be placed to volunteer during the winter break but i have looked at these sites and i will call them to find out more information about them.

1. YMCA in the bronx-

2. Bronx Aids Association (BAS)

Both of these sites are non profits and offer an availability for volunteers to help with a variety of options. They have activities like soup kitchens, helping the homeless, making toys for children, tutoring, making and planning activities for children, etc. I am really excited to get stated and hopefully i will find a non profit site in the bronx to volunteer very soon.

Winter Placement

I actually haven’t found a specific place yet but I have looked into 3 different options.

1) 1) I applied to New York Cares online which is an organization that organizes community service activities for anyone in NY. They also have long-term programs, I am not quite sure what programs exactly but they did ask me my interest and I signed up for a mandatory orientation for as soon as I get back home on December 21^st.

2) 2) On the Planned Parenthood page online they have an option to volunteer since they are non-profit. So I also applied there to see what opportunities are offered. This kind of interested me because it would possibly deal with the youth and problems they are facing.

3) 3) There is a school in my community that I am trying to set up a possible community service project where I could come in and maybe lead a class on arts and crafts or any other extra activities. I have contacted someone from the PTA and I am waiting to hear what they say.

So I have a few different things that I am looking into and am very excited to pursuit.

P.S Today I had my 1^st meeting at Unity house planning out exactly what I would be doing. SUPER excited to start and take on some interesting projects. YAY!

Winter Placement

I'm planning on doing double time (taebo reference) this winter break! Mirana and Ruth are going to give me assignments to work on over the phone such as finding contacts for the upcoming winter fundraiser event (which I will let you all know about because we'll need volunteers!). Also, I would like to work at the Family Service Association which is a nonprofit in Glens Falls, New York that provides programs such as food pantries, emergency prescriptions, infant needs programs, and special needs programs. Can't wait to see everyone tonight!

BLOVE,
Chels

winter placement

For my winter placement I am most likely going to be continuing volunteering at Unity House with the toddlers. I am trying to get placed with Albany County Stop DWI but their offices have been closed but it is still a possibility. If I work there I will be doing things to help raise awareness about DWI and the effects that this has on families and even complete strangers.
B-Love
Sarah

for my winter service placement, i plan on pulling double duty.

i will continue working as the esol intern at the uscri (classes don't stop just because we have break :) ) via the internet and phone calls. i also plan on volunteering to teach/aide at an esl class provided free of charge for anyone that needs els help at a nearby church near my town. like most esl classes that are taught in churches, it is a matter of space as opposed to religious ties that enable the class to take place there. i'm hoping that this will give me more experience that i can bring to my site up here and hopefully bring new ideas and such for what i plan to change/implement at the uscri.

i'll see you all tonight!

michelle

<3

Interview with Dr. Medwid

1. Dr. Medwid does not presently have a service experience she is partaking in but a few years ago she worked as a literacy volunteer. She worked with immigrants who could not read or write in English and helped them to learn how. She worked with an elderly couple from Russia for a few years.

2. Her decision to become a faculty member at Siena College happened by pure luck. She moved away from this area for a while and opened a business selling classics books. She found that she did not enjoy this work so she and her husband closed the shop and moved back to the Albany area. She ran into an old teacher of hers from when she had been a student at Suny Albany. He was presently the chairman of classics at Siena, which at this time classics was an independent study. He offered her the job here and she accepted.

3. Originally Dr. Medwid was a sociology major. In her 2nd year she took a philosophy course and fell in love with Plato. She went to a school in Greece over the summer and was surrounded by ancient archeology and art. She was captivated by the ancient ruins and went on to grad school to study the ancient Mediterranean history.

Winter Placement

My winter placement is going to be the same as my summer placement last year was. The agency is Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital. I work in the dental clinic for refugees and low income families. I help the families that come in for an appointment to know where they have to go and what to do. Many times there are confused and frustrated because they do not speak english very well or even at all. I make sure a translator is assigned to them.

B-Looove