Stories

Since the start of the pandemic, education has become one of the foremost challenges for educators and students alike. Over 25 Northern California Student Corps volunteers made their mark by working with the Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) once each in April and June 2022. RAFT prides itself on being a resource hub for STEAM educators, featuring affordable recycled supplies, project ideas and workshops for educators, and countless project kits that promote hands-on learning.

On April 16th, 2022, eight students and parents gathered in a limited-capacity environment to sort and assemble over 1400 STEAM education kits. The kits constituted RAFT’s first-ever project set outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, as they were due to be sent to Washington D.C. Students and parents alike left RAFT feeling a sense of achievement after playing a key role in the milestone.

Two months later, on June 25, twenty students again gathered at RAFT to sort and pack various just-delivered supplies. Three hours of hard work allowed the packed supplies to become integral components of over 100,000 kits to be sold and distributed throughout communities.

Both events addressed the needs of numerous schools and communities and brought attention to an oft-overlooked issue, but perhaps just as importantly, both events proved to be great opportunities for forming relationships between and among students and parents.

By Steven Wang

On April 2nd, 2022, students from the Eirene Chapter held a fundraiser for the Dynamo Fencing Foundation — a local team focused on supporting the Ukrainian people forced to fight against the invasion and destruction of their homes. These students baked cookies to spread love and awareness for Ukraine throughout Boston. With their work, $245 was raised to fight for the peace and wellness of all. Amazing work per usual, and I urge students to also do their part in fighting against the inhumane actions of others!

On Sunday, January 16, 2022, around 1:30 PM, four students from the North Kentucky Student Corps chapter along with their parents arrived at StoryPoint Prospect, a senior living home. The students intended to donate 100 face masks, including 60 N95 masks, to the facility. Included with the donated masks were cotton masks which had been handmade by the students themselves. After meeting with the manager Mrs. Emily Peck, they went through all the necessary Covid checks.

Following the donation, the students and parents accepted a tour of the facility by Mrs. Peck. They were given a detailed description of the primary operations of StoryPoint Prospect while being able to see much of the facility. After the tour, the students discussed the possibility of volunteering for StoryPoint Prospect to help care for the senior residents.

Mrs. Peck was grateful for the proposal and welcomed all the students to sign up for volunteering service if the living home Covid regulation allows later. The North Kentucky Student Corps chapter members hope to volunteer for StoryPoint Prospect on a more regular basis in the near future.

By Oliver Li

The Minutemen Chapter organized a volunteer activity at CareOne Lexington and held a Christmas Window concert for the elderly. They brought along festive holiday spirits to the elderly who sadly had visitors restricted during the COVID-19 period. Happy holidays to all our thoughtful and dedicated students!

On a sunny November day, the Johns Creek Chapter students worked hard to clean up along the beach and lakeside trails in Lake Lanier.  From cigarettes to bottle caps, after getting cleaned, Lake Lanier was restored to its naturally beautiful state. Amazing work helping our planet!