November

Monthly community service hours: 7 hours

Cumulative community service hours: 20 hours 

We continue our weekly volunteer efforts at KIPP, organizing and passing out classroom materials.  Before the recent election, we handed out flyers to each class promoting voting within the community.  They used an incentive of “winning a free dress down day” if students went out to vote with their families and provided proof with their “I Voted” stickers.  It was awesome to see KIPP inspiring a younger audience to go out and vote.  We need as much positivity and youth involvement in politics as we can get.

Although I still have not heard back from Grow Dat Youth Farm, Priyanka and I have started to work with an additional volunteer program.  St. Anna’s Place is a church located in the 7^th Ward that offers artistic projects, cultural enrichment, healthy lifestyle education, and academic tutoring to children during after school hours.  The community that St. Anna’s primarily serves is the youth of Tremé and the 7^th ward.  This is a community that has unfortunately been severely affected by gang violence, drug use and distribution, as well as prostitution.  The mission of St. Anna's is to inspire academic intrigue and healthy living in order to promote a brighter future for these kids. 

Last night, we tutored math, Spanish, played UNO, and sang Christmas Carol’s.  There were music classes, private tutor sessions, and costume fittings for an upcoming production.  It was amazing how many separate activities were going on, yet flow was efficient and productive.  I can’t wait to go back.

October

Monthly community service hours: 8.5 hours

Cumulative community service hours: 13 hours


Volunteering for KIPP continues to be a rewarding experience.  Each week, Priyanka, Rebecca, and I head over after class to help with organizational duties that the teachers are struggling to complete with their busy work schedules.  Last week’s KIPP stint felt especially productive.  Each classroom ordered a number of essential supplies (i.e. hand sanitizer, pencils, tissues, graph paper, etc.) that we personally handed off to the teachers.  During each delivery we had a moment where we got to peer into the day to day activities of KIPP students.  Music is a constant in their learning environment, as well as group communication and participation.  Additionally, we’ve helped some of the staff set up bulletin boards in their classrooms where teachers will present student activities and work.  I look forward to setting up some more and contributing to the classroom aesthetic.

In terms of academics, things are still going really well!  Thankfully it has started to get a bit easier working two jobs as I fall into the groove of things.  Urgent care is as busy as ever: flu season has begun, and we are seeing up to 70 patients a day.  Get your flu shots y’all.

As for the future, I have applied to a couple other volunteer projects to work in tandem with KIPP.  I am an avid gardener so the one I am most excited about and eager to get involved with is Grow Dat Youth Farm.  Grow Dat is an organization that has built a sustainable farm in City Park where they grow and harvest a significant amount of fresh produce.  This produce is then either sold at farmers markets or distributed out to low-income residents (specifically those with children) who have little access, if any, to fresh food.  The program is also primarily youth based, providing New Orleans kids with opportunities for leadership skills and involvement in their community. 

September

Monthly community service hours: 4.5 hours

Cumulative community service hours: 4.5 hours


Having graduated from Tulane two years ago, I am enjoying being back in the academic arena.  As a New Orleans transplant living in New York and Ohio throughout much of my formative years, it has been exciting getting reacquainted with the community and city I consider home.

The Pharmacology Master's program at Tulane is challenging but fascinating.  I honestly believe I'm my happiest when running around with a million things to do, trying to tackle new scientific curriculum... so it's safe to say I found the right program.  So far we've taken two exams and completed a number of class presentations.  I don't think I've ever studied this hard in my life but the time and effort is definitely paying off.  When time permits, I continue to maintain two part-time jobs. I may, however, have to bid a temporary adieu to the lifestyle of barista and urgent care medical assistant as this program moves forward.

On September 27th, I participated in my first volunteer opportunity at KIPP Leadership Primary, a charter school in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans.  I joined two fellow students, Priyanka and Rebecca, for our first trip to KIPP.  During our two hours there, we helped some of the administrative staff re-organize the library by transporting books from the third to first floor.  Throughout this, we had the opportunity to mingle with some of the children (Kindergarteners - 8th graders) while they participated in a slew of activities (dancing, drawing, etc.).

In the weeks to come, I'm looking forward to getting better acquainted with the kids and staff.  We hope we will have some more hands-on time with the children but it is rewarding nonetheless knowing we are helping staff so that they can focus on what's most important: education.

Rebecca, Priyanka, and Emma (me) in front of KIPP Primary 9/27/19.