Can a small act of kindness make a difference? Students in the Honors College recently explored that question through a multi-pronged civic engagement project, “Slices of Service,” in which they reflected on the issue of food insecurity and the positive impact they can make through civic engagement performed both in and out of the classroom.
During the spring 2024 semester, the college partnered with Paterson Cares, a local collective of volunteers dedicated to helping their fellow citizens. WP honors students participated in four hands-on events during which groups of eight to 10 students made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and handwritten cards, which were immediately distributed to needy people on the streets in Paterson through Paterson Cares.
“We wanted to show the power of how a small initiative can have an impact,” said Helen Yousaf, a senior majoring in medicinal biochemistry and an intern in the Honors College office, who coordinated the “Slices of Service” project in collaboration with associate director Jan Pinkston.
Yousaf, who is minoring in public health, was excited to have the opportunity to focus on the issue of food insecurity. “I also wanted students to see that in their academic career and their future professional career, it is possible to give back through a small token of service,” she said.
The student volunteers then had the opportunity to engage with three faculty members from different disciplines during a workshop on March 26 focused on how classroom discussions and out-of-the-classroom experiences can help to foster sustainable communities. Yousaf developed questions and moderated the discussion with Lilian Milanes, assistant professor of community and social justice studies; Ana Cristina Siquiera, associate professor of management; and Marianne Sullivan, professor of public health, all of whom are involved with civic issues in the research and courses.
The faculty panelists discussed the importance of hands-on experiences, and the value they bring to the academic experience. “The more you are engaged, the more you will learn,” said Sullivan, who encouraged the students to get involved int their community. “It’s integral to your professional and personal development.”
Working at the local level, as with a project like "Slices of Service," is extremely important, Milanes pointed out. “Things that happen on the local level make the largest impact on our lives,” she said.
Siquiera, whose research focused on entrepreneurship and sustainability, said that through civic engagement, students are empowered. “This is a way for you to see how much power you have to transform the world,” she said. “See yourself as an agent of change.”
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