The Bonner Program Welcomes Five New Bonner Service Leaders to the Program By April Risley ’12 Caylin Dadeo-Winick ’16 As the Peter Young Foundation Work Force Development Intern, Caylin works to link the community for jobs and works with veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals on resume and vocational development in order to gain employment. She coaches and supports these individuals to give them the necessary skills they need to be successful in obtaining a job. Joanna Bebber ’15 As an After-School Program Mentor, Joanna provides academic mentoring and enriching activities to at risk youth after their day at school. She assists with after-school programming, focusing on girls ages 9-12. She is working to build a program based on the growth and changes girls in that age range experience. She creates an environment where girls are comfortable enough to share their experiences and ask questions. Costin Thampikutty ’16 As the College Access Coordinator, Costin works with high school boys individually to see to it that they get the proper knowledge and access to higher education. He helps the students reach their 100 hour community service graduation requirement by finding the right type of service for them. He works to ensure that students learn that community service does not mean just one type of service, a community can benefit from a myriad of acts. TaraMarie Crisafulli ’15 As the Saints Youth Leadership and Cultural Club Coordinator, Tara aims to create an environment whereby students at All Saints Academy feel comfortable to explore opportunities in leadership in diverse settings and among diverse people. She designs leadership development activities to encourage their engagement. Kelly Finn ’16 As the Girl Scout Coordinator, Kelly leads the troop, facilitating activities for community girls to earn skill badges that demonstrate the scouts’ personal development and community-building activities. The coordinator also directs Girl Scout Leaders to ensure that the program is functioning efficiently. 14 | DEEP Service
Bonner Gives Me the Chance to Make Change in the World Joanna Bebber ’15 Coming into my sophomore year at Siena, I wanted to be more active in our community at Siena and in Albany as well. I was already heavily involved with Siena’s Mentoring Program which ignited my passion for enriching the lives of urban youth. During the fall semester, I joined Siena’s Girl Scout Troop 1430, which also allowed me to partake in services directed to at risk youth. As the semester rolled on, I still craved more. I began talking to several friends of mine who are Bonner Service Leaders. It did not take much for me to decide that Bonner was my answer. I began my life as a Bonner Service Leader with the start of the second semester. With the help of the ACE team, I followed my passion at my site placement. Serving at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany After-School Program gives me the opportunity to engage the youth of Albany in their own environment. During my time at the BGCA, I facilitate the S.M.A.R.T. Girls Program. My group of girls, ages 9-12, join me in discussions based on the life changes, physical and emotional, they experience while they grow up. My time with the girls has been enlightening, enjoyable, informing, exhilarating, inspiring, and beneficial in countless ways. I think it is fair to say this is the general impact that being a member of the Bonner family has on us all. Attending meetings, participating in discussions, and serving the community has expanded my horizons in ways that were previously unimaginable. Bonner has opened my eyes to all the chances to make change and improve the world we live in. It is this realization and through my Bonner experiences so far, I have certainly gained wisdom and insights that I intend to use as fundamental values for the rest of my life.