On Thursday, February 2nd, the Center of Community Engagement hosted a Community Engagement Fair in partnership with the Students’ Association Government, iZone, and the Rochester Youth Year (RYY) program.
Organizing the fair stemmed from the recognition that most undergraduate students are disconnected from the local Rochester community. Our mission at the Center for Community Engagement is to create pathways for students to get involved and build lasting connections with the community of Rochester. The Fair served as a venue to foster these connections within the University while bringing visibility to our partner organizations.
“It was really rewarding to contribute to students’ learning about the work that goes on in the community”- Hannah Witkin, our Community Engagement Program Assistant
The fair welcomed students and highlighted 25 Rochester-based community organizations. Some organizations featured include the Office of Adult & Career Education Services (OACES), The Hub 585, Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, Willow Domestic Violence Center, Westside Farmers Market, Climate Solutions Accelerator, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Rochester Mutual Aid Network, and City Roots Community Land Trust.
On the left, Asimi representing the Westside Farmers Markets, a local market that brings local produce to our southwest neighborhood and supports local farmers and vendors in Rochester.
Students were able to meet organizations looking for volunteers to help positive change in our area. Allison from 540WMain expressed her delight, “We met many friendly faces from U of R who introduced themselves. Overall, great event!”
Throughout the Community Engagement Fair, Rochester Youth Year fellows hosted presentations about their experiences and achievements working with some of the community organizations featured at the fair. The following RYY fellows presented to student attendees:
- Olivia Alger –Office of Adult and Career Educational Services (OACES)
- Edan Lambright – Taproot Collective & City Roots
- Madelyn Rice – URMC: Hoekelman Center
- Katherine Thomas – M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
- Taylor Wilkie – Climate Solutions Accelerator
- Elizabeth Bailey – Girl Scouts of Western New York
Rochester Youth Year is an AmeriCorps VISTA-sponsored year of service that matches recent graduates from local area colleges with community agencies to create, expand, or sustain initiatives that alleviate the effects of poverty on Rochester youth and families. Since 2008, the Rochester Youth Year program has mobilized over 11,000 volunteers and served over 100,000 hours of community service.
If you are a senior or recent graduate of a Rochester area college, consider applying for Rochester Youth Year. The program provides a year of paid capacity-building service, professional development, leadership training, and networking opportunities to build fellows’ skills and connections. Applications are due Friday, March 31st at 5pm. Learn more about the program here.
Alternatively, if you are interested in working with a community partner or getting involved off campus, contact the Center of Community Engagement at community.leadership@rochester.edu or visit us at Lattimore 107.
written by Alondra Mendez ’23