The 2007-2008 Campus Ministry Service Interns introduce themselves and their placements:
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Mikaela Tubolino, ’11 Community Service Intern with T.J. Dulski Center My name is Mikaela Tubolino, I am a freshman at Canisius College, currently studying Biology. I am a Community Service Intern with Campus Ministry at the T.J. Dulski Center in Buffalo, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. There I help young children with homework and then mentor a science program called Science First Hand. The program is for children ages 10-14, and just helps them to keep an interest in science outside of school. The center has a great community, a homelike setting which is why I am drawn to be part of the Dulski Center. If anyone would like to do community service either with the science program or the T.J. Dulski Center, please contact me at tubolinm@canisius.edu. I would be happy to help you become involved. | |
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Colleen Kersten, ’10 Community Service Intern St. Monica’s Scholars Program My name is Colleen Kersten and I am a Community Service Intern at St. Monica’s Scholars Program. St. Monica’s is a Catholic Central preparatory middle school for young woman in fifth through eighth grade, located off of Bailey in the heart of Buffalo. This is my first year serving as an intern. As part of the position, I travel to St. Monica’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the girls’ after school program from 2:45 to 4:30. Besides tutoring students, I also engage them in extracurricular activities, and have brought them to Canisius for a Women’s Basketball game. The relationships that I have formed with many of the students is based on a mutual respect and understanding, and I thoroughly enjoy the time I get to spend with these inspirational individuals. I am currently a sophomore English/Psychology major at Canisius. If you or your student organization would like to see what this program has to offer as well as spend the afternoon with wonderful young people, this is a perfect opportunity. For community service, my contact information is kerstenc@canisius.edu. | |
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Kristen Hamm, ’08 Community Service Intern at Lutheran Church Home The Lutheran Church Home is an Assisted Living Facility on East Delevan about five minutes away from Canisius. I have served as an intern for the past two years. The internship experience has provided me with many close relationships with both the elderly residents and the staff that work at the Lutheran Church Home. I have learned a great deal about the elderly through listening and spending time with them through various events and activities. The dedication to the Lutheran Church Home I have had, has truly shown me how important one individual can be to others. Next year I plan to study at Syracuse University for my Masters in Social Work where I hope to specialize in geriatrics. My internship placement has certainly inspired me to further work in the helping profession of the elderly. As Intern my position entails coordinating activities for residents and just spending time with them talking and socializing. On Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. we play basketball and ladder golf. Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m., puzzles, scrabble, and cards are often played. Friday morning from 10-noon we spend time exercising and the remainder of the time I spend talking with residents one on one. As a Canisius student, if you or your student organization, wishes to do some community service, please contact me. You can either come during the times in which I am there and you can assist me with these activities or you can come at different times and I can help get you started. My contact information is hammk@canisius.edu. | |
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Matilda Fatunmbi, ’10 Community Service Intern Assumption Boy’s and Girl’s Club My name is Matilda Fatunmbi and I am a community Service intern at the Boys and Girls Club of Our Lady of Black Rock. The boys and Girls club is an after-school program for children from first grade all the way to high school. It is located at 435 Amherst Street and the after-school program takes place in the basement of the school. This is my first year as a service intern. This internship has created many rewarding experiences for me. As a volunteer, I perform various activities according to what the club has going. I help assist the children with their homework, in various fun activities such as arts and crafts or playing ice hockey. Due to the nature of the facility, it falls under the category of daycare so volunteering at this site requires some additional paper work. But if you truly are interested, feel free to contact me. My contact information is fatunmbm@canisius.edu | |
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Brian Fluharty, ’09 Community Service Intern at The Benedict House My name is Brian Fluharty and I am a junior biochemistry major. The Campus Ministry service internship has been one of the most rewarding parts of this school year. As part of this internship I visit The Benedict House located within walking distance of the Canisius’s main campus. The Benedict House serves as a home and sanctuary for Buffalo residents who have HIV/AIDs. During my visits there, I work with the residence helping with GED homework, movie nights, and other outside activities such as bowling and playing pool. In my time at the Benedict House I have gained new insight about an often reported and misunderstood community issue- HIV. Meeting with the residents helps to give a human face and understanding about the issues faced by many Buffalo community. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact me at brian.fluharty@canisius.edu | |
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Jessica Pollack, '08 Community Service Intern St. Augustine's Scholars Program Hey! My name is Jessica Pollack and I have a Community Service Internship at St. Augustine's Scholars Program. I work with young boys, 5th through 8th grade, at St. Augustine's from 3-5pm about 2 to 4 times a week. I am blessed to have the opportunity to help these boys develop their character, strength and skills that they will need to succeed in high school, continue on to college, and become successful members of the community. The two hour time span I spend with the boys on any given day may sound short but a lot is accimplished. From about 3-4:20 pm I work with the boys on their hw and any subject they are struggling with. Then from 4:20-5pm I engage them in extracurricular activities which include either playing chess, continue working on homework or having basketball or track practice (depending on the season). I usually help out in any area they need me. Furthermore, I assisted many volunteers from Canisius College who wanted to come and help out from 3-5pm. My favorite part about getting to intern at St. Augustine's is walking in the door and seeing those boys smiling faces. They are so polite and always greet me with a "Hello Ms. Pollack" and a hug. Although they can show misconduct at times, you have to expect that at any middle school. Also I got the pleasure of attending many of their games and this was also a great experience. I even brought them pizza at the championship game because I was so brought they made it so far. These boys deserve everything the world can offer plus more and I hope they get it all. They really work hard and appreciate their time spent at St. Augustine's. Lastly a little about St. Augustine's Scholars Program. The program is based on three specific goals. First, to improve student skills so the boys can get into a quality high school. The quality high school will then prepare them for college. Second, to give the boys the necessary tools for the betterment of their personal and academic future. Third, to provide the financial assistance to the families, who would otherwise be unable to afford the quality of education, for their children. If you would like to volunteer at St. Augustine's or find out any more information please feel free to contact me at pollack1@canisius.edu. |
For more information about the service internship program with Campus Ministry, please contact Joe Van Volkenburg at vanvolkj@canisius.eduor x2875.