Service
English students volunteer in the community
Photos by Lee Ferris
About 70 Mount students in the course “Forms of Literature” took learning beyond the classroom by serving at the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Cornwall, N.Y., and the Downing Park Urban Farm in Newburgh, N.Y.
The initiative was spearheaded by Rob Wakeman, associate professor of English and First-Year Writing Coordinator; Marie-Therese Sulit, professor of English; and Peter Witkowsky, associate professor of English and chair of the Division of Humanities.
Together, the students and their professors logged more than 160 hours of service.
“Not only does studying literature teach critical reading, writing, and thinking skills, it also teaches empathy,” noted Wakeman. “How can we use storytelling to see the world through someone else’s eyes? So we wanted to put the empathy skills students were learning into practice by volunteering in our community.”
During the course, students read stories about food, family, and hunger by authors like Sandra Cisneros, Grace Stone Coates, Angelique Stevens, and Merlinda Bobis. They continued these conversations not in the classroom, but while serving their community. Students then wrote an essay reflecting on the experience, connecting the class readings to issues people face every day in our communities.
This kind of hands-on experience benefits not only the community, but the students as well, Wakeman said.
“In the end, we want students to see how a college education does more than help them get a job,” he explained. “They can make a difference in their communities and help create a more livable world.”
Tri-Beta Honor Society aids veterans
Photo provided
The Mount’s chapter of the Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) Biological Honor Society recently hosted a sweatshirt sale to raise funds and awareness for the K9s for Warriors organization.
As part of their fundraiser, more than 50 students designed and sold sweatshirts. Their efforts raised more than $1,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the K9s For Warriors foundation.
Many Tri-Beta members have firsthand experience of veterans’ challenges post-service, motivating them to support the organization, which advocates for improved care and acknowledgment for veterans.
Founded in 2011, K9s for Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or sexual trauma during their time in the armed forces. It’s committed to ending veteran suicide and welcomes donations to help train rescued dogs to serve as assistance animals for underprivileged veterans.
Making taxes less taxing: Students help local residents with tax prep
Photos by Lee Ferris
With Tax Day looming last spring, Mount students provided free tax preparation for middle- and low-income families.
The students volunteered with Tax-Aide, a tax assistance program offered annually by the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation, the Mid-Hudson CASH Coalition, and other local partners.
Through Tax-Aide, Mount students serve their community in donated spaces throughout the area, including the Newburgh Free Library and the Fishkill Recreation Center. In total, taxes were prepared at more than a dozen locations throughout Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange counties this year.
Daniela Yannaco of Staten Island, N.Y., an interdisciplinary major, prepared returns for area residents at Montgomery Town Hall. She and her peers passed a six-day training course with certified instructors before they began volunteering.
As a tax preparer, she interviewed clients, reviewed documentation, and prepared federal and state income tax returns using computer software.
Lending her skills to the Tax-Aide program was a rewarding experience, noted Yannaco.
“It’s like being a supportive guide, easing their burden, and providing clarity in areas that may have seemed daunting or confusing,” she explained. “Knowing that I can assist someone in navigating through something as complex as tax preparation, which can be a source of stress and frustration for many, feels fulfilling. It’s gratifying to contribute positively to someone's life by making a difficult task more manageable and empowering them to achieve their goals. Plus, seeing their relief and gratitude is always a wonderful feeling!”
Last year the program assisted nearly 6,000 residents, resulting in more than $4 million in tax refunds and credits while saving local families almost $1.7 million in tax preparation fees.
Honors students assemble ‘Blessing Bags’ for Newburgh Ministry
Photo provided
Students from the Honors program demonstrated a strong sense of community service recently by putting together more than 80 “Blessing Bags” for the clients of the Newburgh Ministry.
The Blessing Bags project is a student-led initiative that not only serves those in need, but also fosters a sense of agency and empowerment among participants. This project, led by students from the Mount’s chapter of Alpha Chi Honor Society and Honors Program, in partnership with the Dominican Scholars of Hope, supplied basic necessities such as toiletries to people facing homelessness and adversity in the Newburgh area.
“Our students are the stars of this initiative, demonstrating leadership, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in our community,” said Marie-Therese Sulit, professor of English and former director of the Honors Program. “Their dedication and enthusiasm serve as an inspiration to us all.”
She added, “The true spirit of Mount Saint Mary is reflected in the way that its students work together to uphold the values of compassion, solidarity, and service.”