Throughout the month of September, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants are honoring the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance through community service in their host communities. As a yearly tradition, CCI participants volunteer with local organizations, learn about the significance of September 11th, and build connections with community members.
On September 8th, the Sinclair cohort participated in Dayton’s Italian Fall Festa, serving food, clearing tables, welcoming guests, opening doors, cleaning, and helping with set-up. Mesa participants volunteered on the 8th by working with A New Leaf, an organization that helps families, children, and adults facing challenges. Students volunteered in the after-school program for children staying in their shelters, and they presented about their home countries. The NOVA, Annandale cohort participated in a beach clean-up at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland. The park is located on the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States and the end point of over 150 rivers and streams, making it an important habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals. They also joined the Alexandria cohort at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, and they met with a 9/11 Pentagon survivor, who told his story and the lasting impact of this tragic day.
Mesa Students Volunteer at A New Leaf
The NOVA, Annandale Cohort Picks Up Litter at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland
For their volunteer event, the NOVA, Alexandria cohort visited the Arlington County Outdoor Lab on September 9th, where they planted native plants, weeded, and learned about the history and significance of the Outdoor Lab. On September 9th, Valencia students worked with the city district to pick up litter and remove graffiti in downtown Orlando to preserve the city’s history. The Bluegrass Community and Technical College cohort volunteered at the Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival on September 9th. The following day, they attended “The Roots of September 11 and the Changing Face of Terrorism” lecture organized by a veteran organization. The Kirkwood cohort volunteered at the Intercultural Festival of Linn County on Sunday, September 10th. As part of the festival, all students participated in the fashion show to showcase their country’s traditional dress and customs. Additionally, each student volunteered throughout the day to help with festival set-up and tear-down, facilitating the kids’ games, helping to direct attendees in the parking lot, providing logistical information support, and serving food. The Fox Valley cohort hosted a cultural event at a local church on September 10th. The students had booths with their flags, posters, items from their country, and some dressed in traditional clothing. The event featured other community groups and was open to the church and community members.
Valencia Students Help Clean Up Orlando
Fox Valley Students Presenting about their Home Countries
The NOVA, Alexandria Cohort at the Arlington County Outdoor Lab
On September 16th, the College of DuPage cohort volunteered for the 5th Annual Fox River Day, a river clean-up event in St. Charles, Illinois. Participants picked up litter and teamed up to remove hazardous materials from the river and shore. For their volunteer event, the Northampton cohort participated in the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run 5K. Students were stationed at water stations and cheered on the runners. They also learned about the impact of 9/11 in a classroom session.
The cohort’s involvement in honoring September 11th demonstrates three of the program pillars, including service learning, leadership, and cultural exchange. Through volunteering, participants are able to give back to their host communities, learn about American culture while also sharing their own, and develop leadership skills. These community service and engagement activities also allow the students to strengthen ties to their communities and promote cultural diversity, mutual understanding, and respect, all with the goal of helping those in need.
Written by Holly Calhoun, Alumni Relations and Communications Coordinator