For the second year in a row, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants completed Community Impact Projects (CIPs), which provide students with an opportunity to identify and solve an issue or need in their local community. Through their initiatives, CCI participants make a positive change in their communities while learning valuable leadership and problem-solving skills. From ideation to implementation, the 2023-24 cohort created thoughtful and unique projects to address issues such as literacy, gender disparities in STEM, drug awareness, food and clothing insecurity, public safety, sustainable farming, recycling, transportation, and more. Using the skills they learned throughout this process, they return home with a better understanding of how to address the needs in their home communities. The projects below are just a few of the impressive and impactful projects the 2023-24 cohort implemented to better their host communities in the U.S.
Raising Awareness for African Farmers
Delfina Gonsalves (India, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Business Administration) leveraged her social media expertise to support Empucate International, a nonprofit dedicated to African farmers. Recognizing the potential of digital outreach, Delfina proposed a strategic plan to amplify the organization’s impact. She created and managed social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, curating engaging content that highlighted the farmers’ hard work and the organization’s achievements. Her efforts focused on growing a community of followers, collaborating with influencers, and running promotional campaigns to attract support. Delfina’s project not only increased awareness but also mobilized resources and provided her with practical experience in social media management.
Battery Recycling Initiative
Nuray Fatalizade (Azerbaijan, College of DuPage, Media) identified a critical environmental issue: the improper disposal of batteries. She noticed many used batteries in the garbage at her apartment complex and realized that many people, including herself, did not know how to dispose of them correctly. After consulting with professors and college staff, Nuray established a battery recycling program. She set up collection points at the Media Production and Photography (MPTV) department and partnered with a local Batteries Plus store for recycling. Her initiative resulted in the collection of 381 batteries, and the department has committed to continuing the project, ensuring its sustainability.
Entertainment for the Homeless Community
Mathew Kutina (Ghana, Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Information Technology) collaborated with the Lamb Center for his Community Impact Project. He realized that the Lamb Center provides food, shelter, and many other resources, but they do not provide entertainment, so he collected games such as Dominos, Magnetic Chess, and Bingo from Northern Virginia Community College and hosted a game event at the Lamb Center. His project tied into two of the CCI Program pillars, service learning and leadership, and through his initiative Mathew was able to uplift the homeless community and make the Lamb Center even more welcoming by offering friendly engagement and entertainment.
Reading Corner for Children
Early in her CCI program year, Beyda Ortiz (Colombia, Kirkwood Community College, Early Childhood Education) observed many of the children who resided at her apartment playing in the laundry room. Realizing that there was not a safe area to read or play, she decided to create a reading corner. Working with the apartment property staff, Beyda connected with a local library and collected children’s books to supply the reading corner. She also collaborated with Central Furniture Rescue staff to acquire bookshelves for the reading corner. The reading corner is now an integral part of the clubhouse where children can gather to play and read while their parents’ study.
Community Clothing Closet
Zilungile Ngubo (South Africa, Fox Valley Technical College, Business Administration) initiated a Community Clothing Closet to provide free professional attire for students preparing for interviews or new jobs. She organized a successful marketing campaign to gather donations, cleaned the clothing, and set up an event alongside a job fair. The project received overwhelming community support, and after the fair, the clothing continued to be available for a month, after which the remaining items were donated to a nonprofit organization, ensuring ongoing access to professional attire for those in need.
Bike Donation
Vishal Kumar (India, Valencia College, Business Administration) collected unused bicycles and collaborated with a bike shop to repair them for free. After they were evaluated and repaired, he donated the bikes to students in greatest need of transportation to and from school. His initiative provided three students with better transportation, allowing them to save time and money.
IT Girls Program
Maria Cruvinel Dos Santos (Brazil, Northampton Community College, Information Technology) created the IT Girls program to address gender disparity in Information Technology. During an IT conference, she provided personalized profiles for participating girls, highlighting job opportunities, learning resources, and networking information. She spoke directly to the students, fostering a supportive environment and showing them they are valued in the IT field. Maria plans to continue her project in Brazil, aiming to inspire and support more girls to pursue careers in technology.
Financial Literacy Workshop
Samira Sabataeva (Kyrgyz Republic, College of DuPage, Media) noticed her peers struggling with money management and decided to share the budgeting skills her mother taught her. She decided to create a project titled “How to be Money Smart.” Samira created brochures to provide students with financial resources and tips, using a QR code to track how many people were looking at the resources she was providing. The general brochures were put in various locations around campus for students. In addition, Samira organized a workshop on money management using an interactive game format to teach students about expenses, budgeting, and credit. Samira’s workshop provided a fun and engaging way for students to gain practical financial skills.
Career Fair for Business Students
In the fall semester, Emir Kaya (Turkey, Kirkwood Community College, Media) conducted a general survey to identify unmet needs in his community. From this data, he learned that many of his peers felt they were unaware of career possibilities, available jobs, or opportunities for networking. In response, Emir spoke with faculty and staff in the Business and IT departments to gather information and discuss possibilities to increase opportunities for students to meet area professionals. From these conversations, he worked with faculty, staff, and professional connections to bring over 15 local businesses to meet with students, share resources, and help connect students to potential job opportunities.
Playground Safety
Anna Podhurska (Ukraine, Northern Virginia Community College – Alexandria, Early Childhood Education) reached out to Fairfax County Park Maintenance with a critical assessment on the safety of a playground close to the apartments where CCI students and families with children live. She provided suggestions to improve park safety using a safety checklist and knowledge that she learned in her Health, Safety, and Nutrition class she took in the fall semester. Thanks to her efforts, the county sent someone to the playground to do an evaluation, and they completed repairs and maintenance, ensuring that the playground meets safety standards.
Mental Health Event
Indah Ayu Lestari (Indonesia, Valencia College, Business Administration) coordinated a stress management event for students struggling with their mental health. For two hours, students engaged in stress-free activities, including rock painting, discussions, and meditation. The event successfully led to a collaboration with Christine Morgan from Valencia College’s Career Services Center. Indah and Christine partnered together to create a rock garden where people can write uplifting messages on rocks and place them in the college’s garden. When students feel stressed, they can now stroll through the garden to know they are not alone.
Spanish Language Training for Law Enforcement
Julio Sosa (Dominican Republic, Fox Valley Technical College, Information Technology) worked as a lead role player for Spanish Language and Law Enforcement for the local police academy. He shared his perspectives on law enforcement from both the Dominican Republic and the U.S., helping officers understand cultural nuances and improve their communication skills in Spanish. Julio created videos for future training sessions and built strong relationships with the police academy. His efforts culminated in a unique opportunity to participate in a ride-along with firefighters, where he learned about the technology used in aircraft rescue and firefighting, combining his IT studies with practical experience.
Fentanyl Awareness Campaign
Orefile Baepile (South Africa, Northampton Community College, Early Childhood Education) launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Understanding the severe impact of fentanyl, he placed posters across the community and coordinated with the Department of Alcohol and Drugs for a Narcan drive. His campaign aimed to educate people on recognizing fake pills laced with fentanyl, using QR codes linking to the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign. Orefile plans to implement a similar awareness campaign in his hometown, addressing a critical public health issue with information that is not readily available there.
Bus Shelter
Diego Perez Diaz (Dominican Republic, Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Information Technology) connected with WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) to increase safety for those using the bus system by increasing lighting and building a bus shelter. Thanks to Diego, WMATA responded to his request and completed the project, increasing lighting and safety. Diego’s initiative will continue to help countless individuals who rely on public transportation.
As participants in the 2023-24 cohort take their next steps, they’ll carry these experiences with them. Many will use their knowledge and lessons learned to contribute to their own communities back home, while some will expand on their projects to address local issues. Their dedication and commitment serve as a testament to the profound impact that community initiatives can achieve.
Written by Holly Calhoun, Alumni Relations and Communications Coordinator