UB Volunteers

On October 22, 2005 from 1 to 6 pm, Service for Peace sponsored Make-A-Difference Day. Volunteers from Black Student Alliance and CARP joined the effort. The project involved working with residents of the Ella T. Grasso Respite Center in Stratford, an institution for mentally challenged individuals. One project involved redecorating of the residents’ rooms while the other consisted of spending a day with the residents at the Norwalk Aquarium (included a viewing of an IMAX movie). Between the two groups, about 25 volunteers participated from UB. In a separate project, Service for Peace joined with members of The Mirror, UB’s art and literature publication, to provide an enriching after school program for children at the Marina Village Community Center in Bridgeport. This program, which teaches kids about teamwork and other necessary skills for success, will continue through the semester. Jeffrey, one of the center’s staff members, commented that it is especially uplifting for the residents to see visitors come in to the center, as they do not have many outside contacts of their own. The redecorating project was aimed at making clients feel more “at home,” since this is a group of people who are separated from their families in order to live in the respite. The trip to the Aquarium aimed to foster interaction between the clients and the daily activities most of us take for granted. Without chaperones, those citizens in the respite program would be deprived of such exposure. Companionship with new people is also considered to be part of their nurturing and educational experience.
This project benefited the residents of the respite, but also had a kickback for the volunteers. UB student Tjuana Fowler said, “I volunteered because everyone deserves a chance at happiness. After my experience with working with the mentally challenged, I will always remember to count my blessings.” Another volunteer, Nathan Breland, said “I think this project was meaningful. We impacted a life and learned about the situations of others.” Anthony Rios said, with agreement from Ruben Ramos, Teisha Zayas, and Yoshio Kian, “Four people painted a hallway with only one gallon of paint, one paint roller, and one paint brush”. This is a classic example of how teamwork can triumph over overwhelming odds even on the largest jobs. The project also attracted first time volunteers such as Nathalie Desruisseaux and Cornell Gill who were nervous about the project’s plans but ended up actually enjoying it.
The Marina Village Community Center project went from 3:30 to 5 pm from Monday Oct. 17 to Friday Oct. 21. The program entailed several teambuilding activities for the kids including making a banner together, learning origami (which was later given to the residents of the respite center), and several other enriching activities. On Friday, Mirror staff members Benjamin Manifold, Joshua Edwards, Jessica Thomas, and Isaac Bresnick participated. Service for Peace aims to sponsor programs teaching teamwork and friendship. Participants will gain a better understanding of people who live under unique circumstances. If you are interested in assisting with any future Service for Peace activities, feel free to call x4015 or attend any meeting held every Thursday at 9pm on the second floor of the Student Center.