Community Fellow Projects

2005–2007
Capacidad After School Program, Amherst
In 2006-2007, Clara Kim ’09 served as the first community fellow at this private, nonprofit organization that offers multicultural, anti-bias education and recreation programs for schoolchildren. Kim worked as a recreation leader, teacher, and assistant to the program. 

William N. DeBerry Elementary School
During 2006-2007, Jacqueline Johnson ’08 documented the planning process for the DeBerry Outdoor Schoolyard Initiative and researched potential funding sources for the project.  Johnson conducted vital outreach to the parents, in an attempt to increase parental involvement in the school. Johnson and Yedalis Ruiz FP ’08 designed and implemented a successful student assembly at the school that focused on Puerto Rican history and culture.

Enlace de Familias, Holyoke
In 2005-2006, Emely Velez ’08 worked on the Young Latino Panel Project at Enlace de Familias. The goal of the project was to create a panel discussion in which current and future leaders could meet to exchange their goals and visions.  Velez worked on logistics surrounding this event, and assisted in fundraising efforts for the annual Christmas celebrations. 

During 2005-2006,  Alexis Suib ’06 also served as a support person for the planning of the Young Latino Panel Project

Susana Rojas ’07 focused on the Community Christmas Party and local Toys for Tots program. She helped to support the new parent advisory council that develops basic life skills for families.

Adrienne Wallace ’07 researched possible funding sources including Americorps* and independent grants.  She also solicited pro bono services from lawyers, and assisted in developing new program initiatives.

Nuestras Raíces, Holyoke
During 2005-2006, Dory Charlesworth ’06 acted as the Women’s Group and Event Coordinator Intern at Nuestras Raíces.  She helped to organize three important events: a land celebration to mark the acquisition and use of 25 acres of land at the Nuestras Raíces farm, a reading at Odyssey Books, and a workshop on cooperative development. 

Yaminette Diaz ’06 designed and implemented the Nutrition and Health Program at Nuestras Raíces in 2005-2006.  She taught and encouraged community youth to make better food and lifestyle choices.  Her workshop included basic nutrition principles, and applied nutrition, such as skills for understanding nutrition labels, identifying foods that contain certain nutrients, and cooking.  Diaz took her class on various field trips to locations such as Mount Holyoke College and local area restaurants. 

From 2006 to 2007, Vanessa DiCecco ’07 led weekly health and nutrition workshops for the organization's youth, ages 13-18.  The Youth Program at Nuestras Raíces is designed to mentor and empower participants to become future leaders of the community, especially through relevant environmental justice education and experiences.  The workshops operate within this framework to encourage youth to think about individual and community health issues, to make informed and healthy life choices, and to advocate for and build a healthier Holyoke.  Vanessa also supported Nuestras Raices' work on the Kellogg Health and Fitness grant proposal developed by the city of Holyoke. 

During the second half of the academic year, DiCecco worked with William Aponte, environmental organizing director of Nuestras Raíces, and MHC professor Giovanna DiChiro on environmental justice organizing with the youth.  The projects focused on researching the pollution caused by diesel vehicles in downtown Holyoke.

Nueva Esperanza, Holyoke
Throughout 2005-2006, Shalili Ghimire ’08 worked in a range of capacities with the organization.  She performed administrative tasks and assisted in fundraising for annual Thanksgiving celebrations.  In addition, Ghimire worked with Nueva Esperanza, Mount Holyoke Campus Girl Scouts, and the Girl Scouts Organization to establish a Studio 2B troop in South Holyoke.  Ghimire invited a number of local media organizations to attend an event cosponsored by Nueva Esperanza and other community-based organizations. 

In 2006-2007, Sandhya Kumar ’07 researched New Market Tax Credits for Nueva Esperanza’s affordable housing program.

River Valley Academy
During 2005-2006, April Frazier ’08 served as a teacher's assistant in a reading class for River Valley Academy high school students and worked as a teen mentor.  Frazier established an art program, arranged career fairs, college visits, etc. She was also the student birthday coordinator.

Solutions CDC, Holyoke
In 2005-2006, Cydney Forrest ’07 assisted in the development of curriculum for a health seminar held at Solutions CDC, which focused on body image, nutrition, healthy relationships, STIs, and substance abuse.