Puentes al Futuro Newsletter: Volume 1, Issue 1

As adults we know why we love having the Puentes al Futuro Summer Camp here on campus. It gives the kids access to a lot of fun activities (including sports, an indoor swimming pool, and arts and crafts), they can continue working on their academics (English and Math classes occur twice a week each), and they work closely with college-aged counselors who serve as mentors and role models. 

But, do the kids love it? If so, why? To solve these perplexing questions, the camp's English teacher, Jenny, asked the campers to write about why they love camp as a part of the regular newsletter project she is doing with them!

Read below to see what the kids really think. There are some truly heart-warming accounts.

Puentes to the Future Highlights

For today's post, the CCE staff figured we'd take a break from writing and share a story one of our campers wrote! Prompted by the counselors, this camper wrote about her favorite elective.

The campers and counselors have been doing some pretty fun things here at Puentes al Futuro (Bridges to the Future) Summer Camp. Everyday is a new adventure, activity, and conversation. Already two weeks into it, we're seeing the campers grow and develop as they get used to the camp, their classes, and each other. Between classes/tutoring in the morning and recreational or academic enrichment activities in the afternoon, everyone is exhausted by the end of a fun day. We're excited for what the next couple of weeks will bring! 

Above: Two counselors (on the left in blue shirts) site with a group of campers as they eat lunch and prepare for the afternoon activity. Everyone was given a shirt for being a part of Puentes in the summer; counselors received blue shirts and campers were given red

Below: Campers and counselors relive the best gym class by taking out the parachute on a hot summer day in the field in front of Eastern's Student Center. 

July Opportunities with the CCE

With June quickly ending, the CCE is gearing up for July!

This last week of June is filled with training the camp counselors for the Puentes al Futuro (Bridges to the Future) summer camps which Eastern hosts. The camp is a 4-week long day camp for at-risk, ELL ELL (English Language Learner) youth in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The kids attend either a math or language arts class in the morning and then participate in arts and crafts and tutoring sessions in the afternoon. All of the counselors are current Eastern students or alumni.
For information on how you can be a counselor for next year, email the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu 

Tomorrow, the Connecticut Food Pantry's Mobile Truck is coming back to Willimantic for it's monthly stop. The truck comes filled with fresh produce, organic packaged foods and soups, and more to pass out to those who have limited to no access to healthy groceries in the area. We are currently accepting sign-ups for when it visits in July (July 23, 12:30-2:30pm).

Eastern's Community Education Garden is flourishing! Blueberry bushes, cantelope, and watermelon were all recently planted. Sugar peas, strawberries, and herbs have been harvested and donated to the Covenant Soup Kitchen. A dedicated group of students have been tending to the garden, but we can always do with more volunteers. Hours and days are flexible. Let us know if you want to get involved!

For information on these opportunities and how you can sign up as a volunteer, email the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu 

Upcoming June Volunteer Opportunities

Looking for something new to do? Maybe you volunteered this past year and want to continue staying active. Below are some upcoming volunteer opportunities through the Center for Community Engagement!

• Eastern's Education Garden: We are in the middle of planting watermelon, potatoes, herbs, strawberries, and more! Much of the food will be donated to the Covenant Soup Kitchen when it is ready to be picked or harvested. The garden runs solely on Eastern student volunteer support with community members and local school kids helping out periodically. You can come and go as you please and form your own hours!

• Connecticut Food Bank's Mobile Truck: Every 4th Tuesday of the month, the Mobile Truck comes to 199 Valley Street with fresh produce and healthy food to distribute to those most in need. Volunteers help from 12:30-2:30pm with set-up and distributing the food to clients of the truck. This event is by far one of the most fun and rewarding events to be a part of!

If you're interested in getting involved in either, email Jacqui at decormierj@easternct.edu 

Internship Opportunity

     The Collegiate Health Service Corps (CHSC) Program needs a new intern! If you're a graduate student or undergraduate student with the hopes of completing your masters this internship could be right for you!

General Description:   CHSC Program Interns will be given specific roles in relation to meeting a community need within Windham and New London Counties.  Interns will be assigned to assist in the fulfillment of the Collegiate Health Service Corps Program.

1.  Coordinate an advisory committee to review and evaluate curriculum content and service learning projects to ensure best practices and current theories are continually incorporated. Students, agency representatives, and consumer representatives will serve on the advisory committee.

2.     Investigate the health care needs of Eastern Connecticut and create materials to be used in grant submissions

3.     Facilitate and/or supervise the implementation of the core curriculum(s)

4.     Monitor students’ service learning assignments

5.     Expand upon academic and community partnerships to assist in the expansion of the program

6.     Ensure data collection protocols are being met

7.     Create evaluation and tracking best practices

8.     Present and train Eastern AHEC staff on new procedures

9.     Other assignments and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Coordinator

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of programs and resources readily available in the community Verbal, writing, and organizational skills Ability to attend community events Ability to work independently Use of common office software, including Microsoft Office For more information contact: Eastern Area Health Education Center 322 Main St. Suite 2E-1R Willimantic, CT 06226 Office Phone: (860) 465-8281 Fax: (860) 760-6230 Web: www.easternctahec.org

Volunteer Opportunity!

MDA Summer Camp in Hebron CT is looking for Counselors! Please inquire with questions, interest or to receive an application call: 203-248-6500 / Fax: 203-248-6540 or email cbilodeau@mdausa.org