Serving with the Archbishop

The students and staff of Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) ventured on their bi-annual journey to St. Paul the Apostle soup kitchen not knowing that an unexpected surprise awaited them. Not everyone realized that Thursday, Mar. 28 was Holy Thursday, a day celebrated in the Catholic Church to commemorate Jesus’s last supper with the disciples. When the XAE members arrived at the church they were informed that a special guest would be joining them to serve the food, Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan! After hearing the exciting news the students and staff organized the pantry, which is something they must do quite well since the church staff makes sure this is completed every visit. Once the pantry was in order, it was almost time to start serving. The Archbishop arrived and got on the serving line right next to the students. The students found him to be friendly and down to earth. Everyone was excited about the surprise guest, especially the soup kitchen patrons. People were asking for pictures, prayers, and blessings along with their special lunch of ham, potatoes, veggies, and cake.

The visit to St. Paul the Apostle soup kitchen is always a special treat, particularly because of the warm and inviting staff, volunteers, and patrons. This visit was extra special, not only because of the surprise guest but because of the extra enthusiasm of everyone that was there. Not only are the members of XAE looking forward to returning to the soup kitchen, but the staff and volunteers who “love to have us” are looking forward to it as well!

NYIT Volunteers at Occupy Sandy in Brooklyn and Far Rockaway

Pictured (left to right): Kayla Harley (guest), HEOP alumna and Chi Alpha Epsilon member Carine Harley (B.S. '12), Diane Moya, Daniel Dixson (guest), Benjamen Chen, Rafael Martinez, HEOP student Jaishel Linch Bennett, and HEOP counselor Vanderie Vielie.

On Nov. 10, 2012, nine NYIT students, two guests, and two staff members met in Sunset Park Brooklyn at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, one of several Occupy Sandy relief hubs located throughout New York City. Students and staff registered with the volunteer group and participated in a brief orientation program. Several students opted to stay at the church to help with Occupy Sandy efforts by sorting and organizing much-needed goods to be sent to affected families.

The group loaded an NYIT van with boxes of supplies, including blankets and baby items, and headed to Far Rockaway, where they arrived two hours later to find military helicopters, trucks, and tankers in the area. Upon entering Rockaway Beach, the group drove past what appeared to be a landfill but later learned was a beach parking lot being used as a temporary dumping site for storm wreckage. The volunteers met with a resident from the community who served as their guide and showed them where to distribute meals. While there was no electricity, traffic lights, working toilets, or heat, there was plenty of unity in the Rockaways—an inspiration to the students and staff members who were deeply impacted by what they saw. They returned home with a renewed appreciation for simple comforts and a strengthened commitment to Sandy relief efforts.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) students and staff returned to Central Park for another Making Strides Against Breast Cancerwalk. This year’s walk was coordinated by the student group Students Working to Achieve Greatness (S.W.A.G.). S.W.A.G. President Oshane Cooke and Vice President Cody Souffrant arrived bright and early on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, to help in the fight against breast cancer. After meeting up with 10 NYIT students and several guests, the group set off on their long walk for a great cause. The group raised more than $440!

Serving up Some Smiles

For the past three semesters, the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) national honor society, Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE), has made a trip to the St. Paul the Apostle soup kitchen to lend some extra hands. This semester, XAE collaborated with the Community Service Center (CSC) to open the event to the general student population. On Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, eight students and one staff member made their way to the soup kitchen and spent the morning doing some much-needed unpacking, stocking, and organizing of the pantry. The church staff was very appreciative of the group’s efficient work. During the afternoon, NYIT group shared some laughs and smiles with the church staff, fellow volunteers, and soup kitchen patrons. One longtime volunteer always plays light music to make the atmosphere a bit more “homey,” and the selection that week was the soul music of Nina Simone. The students had a productive and fulfilling day and many have already expressed an interest in returning soon.

Students Collaborate at Great American Bake Sale

Great causes bring great groups of people together, and on Nov. 14, 2012, that is exactly what happened when students joined up for the Great American Bake Sale. Members of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE), Community Service Center (CSC), S.W.A.G., and Bear Hug Club all came together for a bake sale. The funds raised through the Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale were donated to the No Kid Hungry Campaign, a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. The students wasted no time in their offers to bake cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and even some empanadas to mix things up. The event was a great success, with $288 raised toward ending childhood hunger in America. If you are interested in hosting your own Great American Bake sale, visit strength.org to learn more.

HEOP Donates Toys to Abbott House

This holiday season, the students of HEOP and XAE were in the spirit of giving. At the HEOP holiday party on Dec. 6, 2012, students and staff were asked to give a toy, game, or gift card for the children of Abbott House, an agency that provides services and support to children and families in foster care or with developmental disabilities. The toy drive yielded a tremendous amount of toys and almost $100 in gift cards, but it did not end there. Even after the HEOP holiday party and toy drive was over, students continued to donate.

Two lucky students, Jaishel Linch Bennett and Lakisha Scott, had the opportunity to attend the Abbott House holiday party on Dec.19 and meet some of the staff and residents. It was a great experience for both young ladies as they were able get an inside look into the field of social work, which they both plan on pursuing after graduation. The students look forward to a continued relationship with Abbott House in the future.

For more information about Abbott House’s services and how you can get involved, please visit abbotthouse.net/.

Off to a Walking Start! 

The members of XAE hit the ground running this semester taking part in the Making Strides Walk against Breast Cancer on October 16 in Central Park.   In only five short days the members of XAE raised over $200 to help The American Cancer Society in the fight against breast cancer.  XAE members and other NYIT students woke up in the wee hours of a chilly Sunday morning to join the crowds of thousands walking in the fight against breast cancer.  Several hours and many sore feet later, the members of XAE crossed the finish line, proudly completing their first community service project.  

A special thanks to all who walked and those who contributed to the fundraising efforts.  

Fulfilling the Mission

An important part of the mission and purpose of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society is to “promote academic excellence in others and to help those who genuinely aspire to the same goals.” With this mission in mind, members of XAE worked with Rick Bonacorsi, Director of the Community Service Center to develop a relationship with local high school seniors who could benefit from the mentoring of successful college students.  

On Friday, October 21, 2011, members of XAE along with Deepa Bhalla, HEOP Director, Vanderie Vielie, HEOP Counselor, and Mr. Bonacorsi, took a trip to the High School of Arts and Technology.   XAE members Katherine Javier Aguilar, Ting Ting Mei, Jissela Murillo, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Ramon Valentin stood before a crowd of 75 high school seniors answering questions about their majors, career goals, and getting into college.  The seniors were extremely engaged and had many questions about NYIT and HEOP.  

Afterwards several students said how the members of XAE “reminded them of themselves” some coming from the same neighborhood, or having similar backgrounds.   Several of the high school students were so interested by the discussion that they attended the NYIT Manhattan campus Open House held the following Sunday. This visit to the High School of Arts and Science will be the first of many.  

Fulfilling the Mission- Part 2

On November 18, 2011 members of XAE returned to the High School of Arts and Technology for a second visit. They spoke with a different group of seniors about applying for scholarships, HEOP, why college is important, and how to figure out what you want to major in. The XAE members discussed their majors and career goals. Juan Pablo Mejia, an alumna of NYIT actually took time off from his job to come and talk to the students about his career and the importance that a college education had in shaping his career.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

During the second week of November 2011 people across the country participated in activities to bring awareness and assistance to the increasing population of those affected by homelessness and poverty.  Chi Alpha Epsilon along with members of NYIT’s Community Service Center motivated their peers to clean out their closets and bring their gently used clothes and coats to campus for donation to those in need.   The drive was so successful that it was extended until early December.  All donated items were brought to the Bowery Mission which helps to provide food, clothing, and even doctor appointments to thousands of New Yorkers in need.

On Thursday, November 17 members of Chi Alpha Epsilon along with students and staff of NYIT served up some hot meals and smiles at the soup kitchen of St. Paul of the Apostle. The Church of Saint Paul of the Apostle has on ongoing soup kitchen and shelter program that feeds up to 100 people every Tuesday and Thursday. It was a wonderful experience for all, and the members of XAE plan to volunteer their services to the soup kitchen again in the very near future.

School Supply Drive

At the start of the spring 2012 semester, the students of XAE teamed up with NYIT's Alternative Spring Break Program and Community Service Center to host a dual campus school supply drive for an orphanage in Peru. This drive yielded hundreds of school supplies. These supplies were then delivered to the orphanage in Peru by the NYIT students participating in the Alternative Spring break trip, two of which were XAE executive board members Emmanuel Sanchez, XAE President, and Oliver Vasquez, XAE Vice President.

Visit to Local Soup Kitchen

Members of XAE and the NYIT community enthusiastically returned to St. Paul the Apostle Church to offer their services at the ongoing soup kitchen. Both students and staff enjoyed seeing some of the same workers, volunteers, and patrons that they met during their soup kitchen visit in the fall. The workers and regular volunteers were happy to receive the help as serving up to 200 people can take quite some energy. It was a wonderful experience for all, and XAE looks forward to returning to such a warm and friendly environment soon.

March for Babies Walk

On Sunday, April 29, students of XAE hit the pavement along with classmates, friends, and staff members for the March For Babies walk. The weather cooperated, and it was a beautiful and sunny day that all the walkers enjoyed. Most importantly the Chi Alpha Epsilon team raised $330 to aid the March of Dimes in its efforts to prevent premature birth and aid those who have newborns in intensive care. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed in supporting stronger, healthier babies.