During their program year, CCI participants are required to complete at least 75 hours of volunteer service in order to give back to their host communities. As a key component of the CCI Program, service learning encourages the participants to integrate themselves in their campus and local communities. In addition to volunteering with local organizations and non-profits, CCI participants take part in large-scale events and days of service, such as the September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance, or the MLK Day of Service.
While all participants are required to volunteer, some have a true passion for community service and go above and beyond to aid various organizations and communities. CCI participant Jamila Salifu (Ghana, NOVA – Alexandria, Information Technology) has completed the highest number of hours in the 2023-24 cohort with an amazing 385.5 hours contributed to her host community. She has volunteered for at least 17 different locations including the White House, Lincolnia Senior Residence, Annandale Terrace Elementary School, the LAMB Center, and Calvary Church. Regarding her volunteering experience, Jamila stated, “Volunteering offers me opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and expanded social networks while fostering my sense of purpose and satisfaction. It also correlates with improved mental and physical health, provides avenues for career advancement, and encourages civic engagement and empowerment. I love to volunteer.”
Jamila sharing her culture during Exchange Day
At Mesa Community College, Md Zobaer Hossen (Bangladesh, Social Services) completed 200 volunteer hours in the CCI Program. He pursued an Emergency Medical Technology Certificate and completed volunteer work at Companion Hospice and Banner Desert Hospital near the MCC campus. When he first started volunteering at the hospital, they assigned him to the front desk in the lobby where he directed visitors and wheeled discharged patients to the front door for pick-up. The hospital was so impressed by the positive relationships he built with the discharged patients and his willingness to do whatever was needed that they moved him to other departments in the hospital. He worked in the NICU, Orthopedics, and finally ended up in the Emergency Room where only the best volunteers are placed. He checked in emergency patients and readied the rooms for new patients. He thoroughly enjoyed the work, and through this experience, Md was able to give back to the community while gaining critical skills that will help him in his professional development. Md stated, “Personally, I believe volunteering with Banner Health was the best decision I have ever made to give something back to the community. As an EMT student, volunteering in the Emergency department gave me lots of hands-on experience to learn how things work in real life. At the same time, I am grateful that I could help people during their critical time.”
Md Zobaer Hossen Volunteering at the Banner Health Emergency Department
At College of DuPage, Ahmad Julio Rumangu (Indonesia, Tourism and Hospitality) completed 149 volunteer hours. The site where he has been a regular volunteer since late in the fall semester is the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton, an organization that provides individuals with food, social services, computer training, art, literacy, job assistance, and clothing. Julio worked with the food pantry there, joining the effort in providing free, quality food for the less fortunate. He has built relationships with other volunteers and really enjoys seeing people get the food they need.
Ahmad Julio Rumangu Volunteering at the People’s Resource Center
In addition, Muhammad Imam Saleh Rudianto (Indonesia, Tourism and Hospitality) completed 185 volunteer hours during his program year at 14 different locations throughout Dayton, Ohio. His time was divided across the organizations, but a lot of his volunteering took place at the Ar-Rahman Mosque, Grace Christian Church, the Habitat for Humanity Retail Store, and the Levitt Pavilion. At the Habitat for Humanity, Imam volunteered at the retail store, helping to organize items, take inventory and restock items. At the mosque, he helped to set up for iftar during Ramadan as well as clean up after each iftar meal. At Grace Christian Church, he assisted in preparing and passing out food to those in need and helped clean up after meals. Through his volunteer service, Imam has gained important soft skills and has had the opportunity to network with multiple organizations, both of which will aid him in his professional journey. Another Sinclair participant, Zulhafidz Alauddin (Indonesia, Media) completed 184 volunteer hours, serving most of his hours for the United Nations for Asia-Pacific. For this volunteer project, he disseminated volunteering opportunities, testimonies of UN Volunteers, and other digital content posted across all Regional Office platforms (X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), gaining valuable media skills while serving the UN.
Imam and Zulhafidz volunteering during the 9/11 Day of Service
While the CCI Program has concluded for the 2023-24 cohort, the impact of these participants on their host communities is immeasurable. Each of them, along with many others, have not only met the required hours of service but have surpassed them, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to assisting and uplifting those around them. As they return home and take their next steps, the lessons learned and connections made through their volunteer experiences will undoubtedly influence their future endeavors and inspire a commitment to community service.
Written by Holly Calhoun, Alumni Relations & Communications Coordinator