Eastern Connecticut State University

Over spring break, Eastern's chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) traveled to Lake View, SC, dedicating their time, labor, and resources to help construct a home for a family in need. The mission of the trip was simple: "to remove the barriers that prevent affordable housing for the [Lake View] community," according to Rebecca Drazul, the student organization's treasurer. The group spent five days in the southern community, constructing flooring, walls, window frames, and a porch. The student volunteers learned and utilized various carpentry/construction skills and techniques to help with the safe and timely construction of the building.

Eastern Connecticut State University's 2025 Equity and Social Justice Awards recently honored three students for their commitment to civil rights, systemic change, and advocating for underserved groups. The ceremony took place March 28 in Eastern's Art Gallery.

Two civic engagement groups at Eastern Connecticut State University traveled to Richmond, VA for the IMPACT conference on Feb. 27 at Virginia Commonwealth University. Eastern's Jumpstart group and its local host, the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) sent student alumni brainpower to the meeting.

Several student leaders and interns at Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Community Engagement (CCE) are spearheading various outreach programs in Willimantic this semester. The common denominator for each volunteer is personal development through their commitment to community outreach.

This summer, Eastern Connecticut State University hosted more than 60 high school students for its annual Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program, better known as STEP/CAP. The six-week program was administered by Christina Irizarry, director of opportunity programs for the Academic Success Center, and accustoms incoming Eastern students to a college lifestyle through intensive classes, administrative seminars and activities outside of the classroom.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Community Engagement (CCE) recently showcased its leadership initiatives on a national stage. Four CCE student leaders traveled to the IMPACT Conference, which took place Feb. 22-25 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX.

Four Eastern students are spending their summer working with Willimantic children through the early childhood program known as "Jumpstart." Through the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), Eastern's Jumpstart students are completing 300 hours each from June through August at the Windham Regional Community Council (WRCC) Early Childhood Program.

The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Eastern Connecticut State University showcased the work of dedicated student volunteers on April 18 at its annual Service Expo and Awards. This was the first in-person expo in three years, and featured remarks by the CCE's retiring director, Kim Silcox.

The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Eastern Connecticut State University provides ample opportunities for students to volunteer in the University's hometown of Willimantic. From supporting after-school programs to serving in the local soup kitchen and much more, Eastern students contribute in myriad ways to help alleviate many societal issues.

Twelve members of Eastern Connecticut State University's student chapter of Habitat for Humanity and advisor Peter Bachiochi recently traveled to New Bern, NC, to help build houses with the Habitat for Humanity of Craven County.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Community Engagement (CCE) has resumed in-person volunteering for the fall 2021 semester. With 14 volunteering programs, the CCE has appointed 12 student leaders to take charge and display the commitment Eastern has in helping the surrounding community.

Eight students from Eastern Connecticut State University worked with Discovering Amistad this September and October, teaching Hartford-area middle and high school students about the famed revolt of The Amistad. For the "Amistad Journey to Freedom" program, Eastern students told of the ship's historic rebellion and helped to connect it to contemporary social and racial issues.

A group of Eastern Connecticut State University students is volunteering with the national early education organization known as Jumpstart.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Kathryn Kubisek has demonstrated outstanding volunteer work through the University's Center for Community Engagement (CCE) in the 2020-21 academic year. By volunteering with St. Joseph's Living Center, Windham elementary schools and the special needs camp, Horizons, Kubisek has established an exceptional reputation within the local volunteering community.

Five Eastern Connecticut State University students created a user-friendly website to help individuals schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

In today's socially distanced world, how does one lend a helping hand? Student leaders with the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Eastern Connecticut State University have tackled this dilemma this fall by creating new ways to meet the needs of the Windham community.

Five Eastern Connecticut State University students have been hired as student leaders for the Center of Community Engagement (CCE) for the fall semester. The CCE coordinates Eastern's volunteer efforts in community service opportunities across Willimantic.

Students from Eastern Connecticut State University volunteered this spring semester with Windham schoolchildren in the Puentes al Futuro program (Bridges to the Future). This spring's Puentes program involved approximately 40 elementary and middle schoolchildren who participated in a curriculum focused on nutrition and wellness and STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Twenty-Seven Eastern Connecticut State University students are serving as student leaders at the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) this fall 2019 semester. The CCE coordinates community service programs across Willimantic.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Italo Bucca '19 of Hartford was the student recipient of the Cesar Chavez Distinguished Service Award on April 24. Among his involvements on campus, Bucca has volunteered with Eastern's Center of Community Engagement, study abroad office, the nonprofit organization Big Brother, Big Sister and Windham Middle School. Bucca majors in General Studies.

A group of student volunteers at Eastern Connecticut State University led 27 middle schoolers from Windham through the month-long Puentes al Futuro (Bridges to the Future) program this July. A program of the Center for Community Engagement, this summer's camp focused on Lambe Lambe, a South American form of miniature puppet theatre.

The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Eastern Connecticut State University hosted its annual Service Expo and Awards on April 18. The event recognized the many service projects and students who have made a commitment to volunteerism in the Windham area, Eastern's home community.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Morgane Russell '19 of West Hartford received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award on Feb. 27.

Katelyn Root, a third-year student at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been selected for the Newman Civic Fellowship, a program of Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities. The year-long fellowship recognizes and supports high-potential students who have demonstrated a commitment to their community through a record of public service.

Several Eastern Connecticut State University students are volunteering with local preschool children through Jumpstart, an AmeriCorps program that supports the language and social skills of children from low-income areas.

Ten graphic design students at Eastern Connecticut State University recently concluded a major project with the Access Community Action Agency in Willimantic. As part of Professor Terry Lennox's capstone course "Eastern Design Group," the students created 13 posters that graphically represent the agency's 13 community programs.

A number of civic-minded students from Eastern Connecticut State University are serving thousands of hours in the community this fall semester as student leaders with Eastern's Center for Community Engagement (CCE). A student leader is an experienced student volunteer who has been hired and trained by the CCE to recruit, train and manage volunteers, serve as a liaison with community partners, and plan and run service programs.

Thirty student interns and volunteers from Eastern Connecticut State University participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this past spring, serving 1,317 people who received $2,934,056 in refunds and credits.

More than 1,000 Eastern Connecticut State University students volunteered more than 17,000 hours in the Windham area in the past academic year. On April 19, these students-and the projects and community partners they represent-were honored at the annual Service Expo and Awards, sponsored by Eastern's Center for Community Engagement.

This year, students at Eastern Connecticut State University have shown their community dedication through efforts made with Jumpstart -- a national organization hosted by the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) that promotes quality early learning for all children and provides various types of programming for preschool students from under-resourced communities.