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!
Impact Boston 2012 Session 2
Posted on 07/18/2012 @ 11:00 PM
Impact: Boston - Spotlight On: Hebrew Senior Life
What we did at the Hebrew Senior Life site was exactly as expected - we spent time with the Jewish elderly. Yet, it was the unexpected moments that really molded and enhanced our incredible experiences. Whether we participated in beading, current events discussions, or singing along to Broadway songs, we could always spark up some interesting conversations and receive sweet smiles from the residents that made all the difference. Even when faced with the difficult task of attempting to effectively communicate with the patients suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia, the nine of us worked through it and happily reintroduced ourselves to restart the conversation. Strong connections formed between us and the residents, which not only benefited the residents but also deeply impacted each of us. We walked in with open minds and hearts waiting to help others and walked out with the satisfaction of knowing that we had made a difference for someone, even if only for a moment. The memories we have made at Hebrew Senior Life will forever remain with us, but more than that, this experience has laid the foundation for us to grow and embrace life. Thanks to Alex, our Group Educator, and the staff and residents of Hebrew Senior Life, we will continue to use the skills we have acquired to pick up and put together the world's broken pieces, and better ourselves as a Jewish people. Jess Wasserman, Great Neck, NY
Impact Boston 2012 Session 2
Posted on 07/17/2012 @ 11:00 PM
Impact: Boston - Spotlight On: Waltham Police Department
Over the past week, Impact: Boston has been making a huge difference in the local community of Prospect Hill. Our group has been working with Officer June conway at the Waltham Police Department Community Policing unit to not only make physical improvements to the area, but also to bring a burst of new energy and motivation to the residents, specifically the children of the community.
With the help and hard work of kids in the neighborhood, we cleaned up, weeded, and re-mulched the playground to inspire kids to congregate there and use it well. In addition, we trimmed hedges and bushes and weeded gardens to beautify the area, re-painted tables in the courtyard, and even built new benches and painted them to give the local kids more usable space to play in.
Between the actual improvements made to the neighborhood, and the improvements on the attitudes of the kids, the future looks better for Prospect Hill. We hope to have positively influenced the kids to make good decisions and maintain their community while staying out of trouble. It was difficult to leave them on the last day, but it is reassuring to know that they have hopefully been positively influenced to stay on the right track for the rest of their lives.
- Brett Irwin, Mt. Laurel, NJ
Impact Boston 2012 Session 2
Posted on 07/16/2012 @ 11:00 PM
Impact: Boston - Spotlight On: New England Center for Homeless Veterans
Before Impact: Boston, here's how we would have described a person who is homeless: "Grumpy" - Alyssa "Violent and addicted to alcohol and drugs" - Meryl "Dirty, unshaven" - Renee "Unfriendly" - Sterling The New England Center for Homeless Veterans is a unique center that provides food, shelter, and other services for homeless veterans. The veterans can use it as a resource for rehabilitation and recovery and as a way to reintegrate themselves into society. For the past five days, we've been working with residents to help with the flow of incoming donations and other tasks. We've been sorting their clothing donations to put out in the store for the veterans to use, helping out in the kitchen, serving meals, and making the beds the veterans sleep in at night. We also get the chance to interact with the veterans during their lunch time. During that time, we get to hear their stories, about their current lives, and just talk to them about how they're doing and what they do in their spare time. However, we don't just talk about their lives. They also ask about our lives and what we like to do, allowing us to make real connections with the veterans. Now that we've had the opportunity to work with the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, we know that: "Hearing their stories helps to influence us to make smart decisions in our own lives and steer away from the mistakes they made." -Heather "The world is unfair, but we have the power to make a difference." -Alyssa "We won't make assumptions about people." -Meryl "We learn not to make the same mistakes they made that caused them to end up homeless." -Zach "I've gained empathy for people experiencing homelessness." -Alon "They're just like you and I" - Aryeh "Before Impact: Boston, I never would have stopped to have a conversation with someone who is homeless." -Kelsey " I am now sympathetic to the cause and am able to understand the homeless people's situation." -Michele Alyssa Fischer, Charlotte, North Carolina Aryeh Furman, Palo Alto, California Alon Cohen, Palo Alto, California Michele Naideck, Rockville, Maryland Meryl Franzone, Clifton Park, New York Kelsey Jervis, Charlotte, North Carolina Heather Rotman, Duxbury, Massachusetts Zach Wolpoff, Potomac, Maryland Sterling Staffin, Dallas, Texas Renee Frederick, Houston, Texas
Impact Boston 2012 Session 2
Posted on 07/12/2012 @ 11:00 PM
Impact: Boston - Spotlight On: Eliot Heritage House
These past four days at the Eliot House have been eye opening. Working with adults with mental illnesses has already changed the way we view all the people in this world. After talking to these people, we realized that they are not much different than us. Their abilities to think and feel are no less shrouded than ours. Experiencing the way they live their lives each day reminds us of "b'tzelem Elohim", the thought that every human is created in God's image. Therefore, we are all a part of God and live equally. - Eliot Heritage House Volunteers
Impact Boston 2012 Session 2
Posted on 07/11/2012 @ 11:00 PM
Impact: Boston - Spotlight On: Spare Change News
I can't remember an experience that has changed my outlook on a group of people like panhandling did for my view of people experiencing homelessness. I never realized that a person could be ignored by virtually everyone walking past. I felt so insignificant, as if no one cared about my well being. And when people did acknowledge me, I felt as if they were criticizing me with every awkward stare as they walked past, or dropped change in my hat. The feeling I got being told to "get a job" was one of the most degrading feelings I've ever experienced. Panhandling was embarassing, degrading, and, at times, frightening...
...and I am so glad I did it. I now know what millions of people, across the US and across the world, are forced to do just to have a meal for the night. It was an extremely eye-opening experience, and I don't think my eyes will ever close.
- Danny Rozen, Texas
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