BBYO Summer Blog
Impact: Boston at Brandeis University
Training future leaders on activism, creating social change and building community through exciting cultural activities.
We’re so excited to be able to share all of the wonderful news, tidbits and fun that go on here every summer with even more people. Check back frequently to see the most recent updates!
Spotlight On...
Posted on 07/07/2011 @ 08:00 PM
Impact: Boston
Waltham Police Department
We have all been excited and inspired by the work we’ve been doing at Dana Court public housing. At first we thought we would be going to a rundown apartment complex with people that wouldn’t be interested in our being there, but it ended up being the complete opposite. The residents at Dana Court became involved with our project and helped us to complete our goals, which were to build two benches and create two flower and vegetable gardens. The children of Dana Court were extremely motivated in helping us build and paint the benches, which showed us how much they care about their living environment. Dana Court is a special place because of its community. This experience opened our eyes to how each of us cares for our homes and how a person’s home does not define their personality.
- Ben Kozberg, IMPACT: Boston Site Educator, Waltham Police Department, GMR BBYO Program Director
Spotlight On...
Posted on 07/07/2011 @ 08:00 PM
Impact: Boston
Charles River Center
The Charles River Center (CRC) is a nonprofit located in Needham, Massachusetts where children and adults can spend their days socializing, learning skills and reaching their full potential. It was founded in 1956 by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These parents bravely worked to keep their children out of the state institutions so they could fully participate, benefit, and become a contributing member of the community.
As a group of Jewish teens with varying backgrounds and experiences, we had many different ideas and first impressions about our two weeks at CRC. Morgan, one of the Impact Participants, was “looking forward to creating bonds with people [she] would never expect to.” Similarly, Claire,, “[hoped] to make a lasting connecting with some of the individuals [she would] be working with.” Though we had many hopes for the program, some of us also admitted to some worries as well.
“I’m probably not going to be good at this but I really want to make a positive impact on these lives,” Emily shared. “I worry that it will be hard to connect with them and directly impact another person’s life,” shared another participant. However, once on site, the group excitement surpassed much of the skepticism and nervousness. We were warmly welcomed by a variety of staff members. We played with the children in the summer vacation program, toured the group homes on site, and met individuals from various day programs.
“I want to have an experience that will last for my entire life by learning from the people I will be working with and the people working at Charles River Center,” said Erin. We have spent the last week learning and making connections that will stay with us for life.
- Natalie, IMPACT: Boston Site Educator, Charles River Center
Spotlight On...
Posted on 07/07/2011 @ 08:00 PM
Impact: Boston
GWArc
We were assigned to work with Greater Waltham Arc, a nonprofit that focuses on serving individuals with an assortment of developmental disorders. GWARC is not a rehabilitation center, but a habilitation center, which means that they focus on skill retention rather than skill development.
We have painted birdhouses, gone grocery shopping for foods to donate to a food shelter, played games and danced with the consumers (the term GWARC uses for their clients). We have all grown close to the consumers. Not only have we provided companionship, they have also made a deep impression on us.
To exemplify this we would like to share one specific interaction between a 28 year-old consumer and Maddie, an Impact Boston participant:
GWARC Consumer: I’m in love with Miley Cyrus, I’m her biggest fan.
Maddie: Why do you like her so much?
GWARC Consumer: Do you know her song The Climb? It’s about overcoming obstacles in pursuit of a goal.
Maddie: Yes I do know that song. How do you relate to it?
GWARC Consumer: I connect to it because I don’t want to keep scrubbing dishes working in a kitchen for the rest of my life; I want to go out in the real world. I want to have a real job, and go places.
We hope that this small exchange exemplifies the sense of the determination and passion of all of the consumers that we are working with at GWARC. We have all enjoyed our time immensely.
- Joanna Lubkin, IMPACT: Boston Site Educator, GWARC
Spotlight On...
Posted on 07/07/2011 @ 08:00 PM
Impact: Boston
Horizons for Homeless Children & Heading Home
Our group focused on the unique challenges facing women and children who are homeless. We spent three days with Horizons for Homeless Children. During that time, we recruited long-term volunteers who will staff their play spaces inside homeless shelters, cleaned up those play spaces, and helped out in a preschool.
We spent another three days at a homeless shelter run by Heading Home, that serves as a drop-in center for women – providing a central place to meet with various agencies, counselors, have a hot meal, and socialize.
We culminated our time with Heading Home by shopping for ingredients and cooking a delicious lunch of stuffed peppers for everyone at the drop-in center.
During these two weeks, our group has met many inspirational individuals, including both the staff of these two organizations and those who utilize their services. - Miriam Farber, IMPACT: Boston Site Educator, Heading Home & Horizons for Homeless Children Horizons for Homeless Children I was in the classroom with infants aged 8-15 months.
I spent a great deal of time with a little boy named Alex. He was extremely sick with a respiratory infection; it broke my heart to have to hold him down crying while his mother gave him his medicine. It made me wonder whether it was because he was around people who smoke in the homeless shelter – babies can get respiratory infections from secondhand smoke. When it was time to leave, I didn’t want to leave him. I’ll never forget that adorably chubby blond baby boy.
- Amanda Frankel, North Carolina, IMPACT Teen
Spotlight On...
Posted on 07/06/2011 @ 08:00 AM
Impact: Boston
Medicine Wheel Productions
When I first entered the Medicine Wheel building, I had no idea what to expect. I was expecting to see some sculptures or tile mosaics, but as I saw the cardboard carvings of people watching my journey up the stairs, I knew that we were going to be doing some interesting projects.
We met the leaders of the project, Michael, Richie, and Devin. On the wall in one of the main rooms is a huge collage of scraps of newspaper and magazines forming a colorful interpretation of the city, which was surprisingly detailed.
After hearing the background story describing the situation in South Boston, we took a trip to “No Man’s Land”, an area behind the nearby high school that Medicine Wheel has transformed. Over a period of time, the Medicine Wheel workers have created an inviting, beautiful, safe area out of what used to be an overgrown wasteland.
My first impression of the experience of Medicine Wheel was good albeit a somewhat sad one. Nonetheless I look forward to helping in the coming weeks!
-Mane Williams, Toluca Lake, CA, IMPACT participant volunteering at Medicine Wheel Productions
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