My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Oyster Restoration

Wednesday began with a new experience as we worked with the NC Coastal Federation to bag oyster shells.

Oyster larvae, which attach to hard surfaces in order to mate and grow, enjoy attaching to the empty oyster shell.

Before we bagged oyster shells

In order to help facilitate the development of oyster larvae, the NC Coastal Federation bags empty oyster shells to put back into the ocean.

It is important to contribute to oyster restoration because it helps protect the baby larvae during its development stage. Bagging oysters shells was a unique experience for me, one that I have never done.

Our finished bagged shells

We worked with the Eastern Kentucky University students

The day's work highlighted the importance of teamwork and showed me the effects of utilizing everyone's strengths to the fullest. While working with students from the Eastern Kentucky University, I learned that teamwork is a valuable asset when it comes to bagging 500 oyster shells. The team got together and helped us achieve the task within a matter of three hours. 

All photos are my own.

Do You Choose to Be Kind or to Do What Is Right?

We often must decide if we should choose to be kind or if we should choose to do what is right. Sometimes, community service feels like a chore to others because they believe it is the right thing to do. Sometimes, people volunteer because they want the admiration and respect of others. In all reality, it is not about getting attention or gaining the respect of others. Volunteering should allow yourself to feel good and can always be the journey to self-discovery. I know for me, volunteering has given me the opportunity to find a piece of myself. I always leave the volunteering site with the intent to return and to continue giving back. Serving my community has now become one of my passions. 

The next time you volunteer, I encourage you to think about why you volunteer. Do you volunteer out of kindness or because it is right? What have you learned through your community service?

Photo credit: http://lessonslearnedinlife.com/because-kindness-is-a-sign-of-strength-2/

Leading the Way Through Jumpstart

Jumpstart is a program that provides incoming first-year students with the outlet to transition well into the college life and learn about their community which they will call "home" for the next four years. As a participant, I felt grateful for the opportunity to engage in both community service throughout the city of Ithaca and learn about the Ithaca College experience from my leaders and staff members. Not only that, but for me, Jumpstart resulted in my three best friends today. The Jumpstart program eased the butterflies in my stomach on the first day of college classes and has helped me easily transition to connecting with my peers and making connections with my community and my campus. 

I decided to take upon the role of becoming a Jumpstart leader as an upperclassman because I wanted to provide incoming first-year students with the resources that Jumpstart has given me as a first-year student. For the past two years, I have participated in the same Jumpstart track - Community Plunge - and have bonded with several peers and future colleagues. Being a leader with my best friend whom I had met on Jumpstart one year earlier was a fun and nostalgic part of the experience. As I helped organize the students into groups and sign them in on their first day at Ithaca College, I felt that I had the capability to utilize my leadership skills to grow as a peer mentor and resource for students. 

Me and my co-leader whom I met through
Community Plunge one year ago

On the first day, my group and I volunteered at the Tompkins County Public Library sorting books and celebrating its 50th anniversary. During our time at the library, I was able to speak with individual students one-on-one and learn about their interests, hobbies, and successes. I wanted to implement a one-on-one meeting with each of the students because I feel that it would allow for introverted students to speak up and connect with me. Not only that, but the leadership position I held with the one-on-one mentorship helped me understand the characteristics of my group members so I can figure out the best team bonding activities that would allow them to connect with each other throughout the course of the program. By dinner time, I was able to engage the students in conversation and facilitate relationships that would turn into acquaintances and potential friendships. 

By the end of the second day of volunteering, the group had become one family. Although the second site, Caroline Elementary School, prompted each of us to labor outdoors pulling weed and transferring piles of mulch and gravel, the group was able to bond whenever there was free time. During lunch, we all sat outside and learned about each other and our journeys to get to Ithaca College. The hardest part about being a leader during the second day when we had tedious volunteer work was working to motivate and encourage all of the students. One of the ways I motivated students was through fun music and exciting topics of conversation. During the times we were transferring the mulch and gravel, I turned on different genres of music so everybody could have the strength to continue with their work. 

       

          My Jumpstart group after volunteering at the Tompkins County Public Library on Day One

I am grateful for the opportunity to act as a Jumpstart leader for first-year students over the past year because I have learned much more about myself, the students, the campus community, and the city of Ithaca. I learned that I have the capability to lead a group of younger students and take responsibility over the proper procedures. During the time that I was a Jumpstart leader, I have grown as a community member and a peer mentor; for, the students today still come to me with questions. When we see each other on campus, we make a point to say "hi" and catch up on each other's schedules and college experience. To me, being a mentor and resource is the most rewarding experience of the Jumpstart process. I am happy and proud to have given back to the Jumpstart program, especially knowing that I have made the transition to college a bit easier for the students new to the Ithaca community. 

The team after volunteering at Caroline Elementary School on Day Two

Photo credit: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d3/23/9b/d3239b7b73e6a38f454961a36b1ad985.jpg

Spring into Volunteering

Happy March! With warmer weather on the horizon and the Spring season just around the corner, remember that volunteering can brighten someone's day! Let this be a motivation to zone out of Winter mode and step into Spring mode.

Photo credit: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c6/00/66/c600669b42d9c32953fed7e13533ade8.jpg

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and charitable New Year! What are your plans and resolutions for 2015?

Photo credit: http://123greetingsquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Happy-new-year-greetings-2015-wishes-images-wallpapers-pics-pictures-messages.png

Making Connections

Being a journalism and communications student, I have a love for movies and entertainment. The best movies, in my opinion, are like books. They depict a certain message or moral to the viewers, providing lessons and inspiration to others. Whether it's a lesson about the true meaning of love, acceptance, or happiness, movies share with us the ups and downs of life. Some of the best quotes, and some of my particular favorites, include:

• "Life's a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get" ~ Forrest Gump, 1994
• "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or...learn from it" ~ The Lion King, 1994
• "Don't ever let somebody tell you...You can't do something. You got a dream...You gotta protect it...If you want something, go get it. Period" ~ The Pursuit of Happyness, 2006
• "The world is not a wish-granting factory" ~ The Fault in Our Stars, 2014

My love for movies have led me to become a volunteer at the first-annual All-American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF). The festival, held in Times Square, New York City, allowed me to showcase my passion for film and entertainment while exploring NYC. 

Volunteering at the festival has provided me to network and build connections with industry-executives and other professionals. For instance, my work with assisting at the local college fair has allowed me to network with different universities and schools, a potential for the future if I decide to pursue higher education post-undergraduate. In addition, I have met professionals of the film industry, or potential future employers. Also, I have built relationships with students and volunteers of other similar interests, all while exploring the city of New York and Theater District of Times Square. 

Although the film festival was only held for one weekend from Friday to Sunday, my experience with the festival allowed me to create relationships and make connections with students, professionals, and the city. My connections and networking paid off. 

In February, I landed an internship with the AAHSFF team. As an intern, I am learning many skills that will help me in my future career. For example, I have learned valuable time management skills as a result of the tedious tasks completed. Moreover, I am learning how to further connect and keep in contact with my networks. As an intern, I have utilized my journalism and public relations skills to spread the word about the event, hoping to gather more volunteers and attendees for the festival. The internship has allowed me to learn and grow into both an individual and an employee. 

**To learn more about the All-American Film Festival, future volunteer opportunities, and event/ticketing information, check out the website!

**Click here for the link to the AAHSFF facebook page

**And be sure to follow AAHSFF on twitter

Photo credit: http://geniusquotes.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/David-Brinkley-quote.jpg

Help Yourself...with Healthy Volunteering?

April has arrived, and so has Spring here in Ithaca. The sun is shining and the cold chill of winter has disappeared (hopefully) for good! As you continue to give back to those in need, I encourage you to stop every once in a while and take care of yourself socially, emotionally, and physically. So here are some tips that allow you to be active and enjoy the weather while volunteering and staying healthy!

Tip #1 - Volunteer outside: After spending all winter volunteering at shelters and local places indoors, why not divert towards community outreach programs that are located outdoors? Spring is the perfect time to help out at fundraisers for local charities and organizations; for, there are many outdoor fundraisers which allow you to have fun while raising money. Often, Spring fundraisers include holding car washes or participating in runs/walks for charity. Relay for Life, for instance, is an event held outdoors for 12- to 24-hours through work or school. All proceeds go towards the American Cancer Society. Grab a team and go walk!

Tip #2 - Sign up for a 5K Run/Walk: Too busy to become a participant of Relay for Life? Join a run/walk for a shorter period of time by signing up for a 5K! There are many 5K events in several major cities, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York City. Not only that, but 5K runs are sure to be a blast if you team up with friends. Many 5Ks benefit a local organization, registration fees are fairly cheap, and almost all of them have a theme, such as the Color Run, Mud Run, and Krispy Kreme Challenge. Which 5K will you choose?

Tip #3 - Coach a little league: For those who like interaction rather than just a simple fundraiser, try out coaching. Most sports organizations have an outdoor league in which they are always searching for young coaches, especially for little league teams. Sports, like basketball, soccer, and baseball, often have summer leagues and outdoor club teams no matter what age group. If you have a favorite sport you love and enjoy interacting with little children, coaching an outdoor sports league is the perfect activity -- this is a good way to perform community outreach while participating in a sport of your interest.

Tip #4 - Outdoor chores: One of the best ways to help out and get some sun is to perform chores that are outdoors, for example, mowing the lawn. Neighbors who lack the ability to perform these common outdoor housekeeping often rely on professionals who come on a regular basis; however, you can reach out to them and offer your services for free. Now, no one enjoys performing chores, but think of it as a community outreach service. Volunteering to complete a neighbor's chores allow you to not only get some Vitamin D, but also to interact with your neighbors and meet new people. Tasks to consider are mowing the lawn, gardening, and trimming the trees. 

Photo credit: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c2/aa/6a/c2aa6a1517633a5f948c3b9bf5d810b3.jpg

It's Your Time to Be "Brave"

So, here is a song artist who inspires us to stand up for our own beliefs. "Brave" by Sara Bareilles is such a motivational song that has more than just lyrics to it --- what's the message you take away from the song? Enjoy! 

"BRAVE"

You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do

When they settle ‘neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just want to see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there,

Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy

Fallen for the fear

And done some disappearing,

Bow down to the mighty

Don’t run, just stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

And since your history of silence

Won’t do you any good,

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

See you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

**Check out the music video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4

Lyrics Credit: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/sarabareilles/brave.html