STUDENTS SHINE IN CUNY SERVICE CORPS [top] Toni Arcamoni from Staten Island University Hospital meets with Corps participants at the annual Matching Fair that pairs program partners with students. [bottom] Corps participants Islam Allan and Aziz Kabulniyazov [standing, center and right] at the YMCA’s New Americans Welcome Center with a citizenship class.
Students at the College of Staten Island and a number of other colleges of The City University of New York (CUNY) are learning how to be tomorrow’s leaders in the CUNY Service Corps, while they make valuable contributions to our community. The Corps, which strives to strengthen civic, environmental, and economic aspects of New York City on a short- and long-term basis, gives students an opportunity to provide assistance in a variety of civic and non-profit organizations over two semesters at 12 hours per week. CUNY faculty and staff members may also participate in the program. According to Cheryl Barzey, CUNY Service Corps Manager at CSI, “There are currently 71 Service Corps members in the CSI Service Corps cohort, and Corps members are placed at 28 community organizations around New York City. University-wide, we launched the program with approximately 700 Corps members placed at 96 organizations.” Explaining the benefits of the Corps, Barzey states that “The program provides an opportunity for students to make a meaningful difference in the New York City community through service while gaining valuable real-world work experience and earning a wage. In addition, our community partners have repeatedly told us that Corps members are engaging in “real work,” and
that they are building meaningful capacity for their organizations. Several partner organizations have said that they would not be able to maintain some of their programs without the Corps members’ help.” That impact is being felt throughout the community, Barzey reports. “For example, at Lifestyles for the Disabled, Corps members work with disabled adults and help improve the social skills of the adults through activities such as horticulture and the arts. At the Small Business Development Center, Corps members work closely with the SBDC’s business advisors in marketing and conducting research on potential clients. Corps members are also working directly with various vice presidents at Staten Island University Hospital, ranging from the human resources department to the emergency services department.” The program also focuses on developing critical leadership skills in participants. Barzey explains that “Service Corps members are required to participate in a pre-service training, which takes place prior to the start of fall semester classes, as well as an ongoing support program during the academic year. During these training and support sessions, students learn various workplace readiness skills as well as delve into discussions about social issues facing