During September, participants of the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program are commemorating the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance by engaging in community service within their host communities. As part of this annual tradition, CCI participants volunteer with local organizations, gain an understanding of the significance of September 11th, and establish connections with community members.
On September 6th, the Bluegrass participants volunteered with the Lexington Rescue Mission, an organization dedicated to helping those in poverty, people who suffer from housing insecurity, and the general struggles that people regularly face in Lexington. They aided with sorting and organizing donations, moving furniture and other donations, cleaning, and landscaping. The same day, the Sinclair cohort volunteered at Dayton’s annual Italian Festa.
The Bluegrass Cohort Volunteers with the Lexington Rescue Mission
On September 7th, the College of DuPage participants volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, helping to package food, while the Kirkwood cohort assisted the Linn County Conservation department at Wickiup Nature Center for their annual Monarch Tagging event. During the event, they learned about monarch butterflies and their migration to Mexico including the role they play in pollination. Following the presentation, they hit the trails to hunt for monarch butterflies to tag.
The Kirkwood Cohort Volunteers at the Wickiup Learning Center
On September 13th, the Northampton cohort volunteered at Camel Hump Farms and assisted with the programing needs by helping to clean the property, landscape the garden, paint the outside of the barn, and feed livestock. They are also continuing the tradition of participating in the Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run, which will take place on September 29th. The 9/11 Heroes Run unites communities to honor the heroes of 9/11 and the service members who stepped up in the wars that followed. The cohort will hand out water and direct runners throughout the course.
On Friday, September 13th, the NOVA – Alexandria group supported the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing in their Ballston, Arlington location. The group sorted and organized the community and storage area for the organization. They also visited the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial with Dave Nanney, a survivor of the 9/11 Pentagon attack and a docent at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, for a more in-depth conversation and a guided tour.
On September 14th, the Fox Valley cohort will volunteer with the Marigold Mile of Appleton, helping with planting and gardening to maintain the beauty of the community.
The NOVA – Annandale cohort will volunteer on Monday, September 16th with Food for Others, aiding to alleviate child hunger by supporting their Power Pack Program and assembling weekend meal packs for students.
For their community service, the Valencia cohort will volunteer with the Peace and Justice Institute on September 21st. The students will lead conversations and do a variety of other activities to promote and help the community.
The 2024-25 cohort’s participation in commemorating September 11th highlights three of the program’s core pillars: service learning, leadership, and cultural exchange. These community service and engagement activities enable the students to forge stronger connections with their communities and foster cultural diversity, mutual understanding, and respect, all while supporting those in need.
Written by Holly Calhoun, Alumni Relations and Communications Coordinator