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Service-Learner & Service-Learning Intern of the Month!

Congratulations to William Agosto & Longte Kuptong! (March)

Service-Learner of the Month: William Agosto
Service Site: B'More Clubhouse  

http://bmoreclubhouse.org/



"Will Agosto only recently began volunteering at B’More Clubhouse, but his impact upon the program has already been measurable. Will, a Social Work student at UMBC, feels a deep personal commitment to the field of mental health and his dedication shines through in his daily interactions with the adults who attend our program. As a community mental health program, the Clubhouse functions as a non-clinical organization largely run by adults living with the effects of mental illness. Here, mentally ill adults are not “clients” or “consumers,” but rather “members” who work alongside staff and interns to complete meaningful work.

Although our model is unique, Will fully grasped the driving force of the program after his first day, pioneering multiple projects with members to learn from them in a mutually supportive working environment. He began conducting intensive research on Social Security benefits and employment to ensure that members receiving public assistance were aware of the necessary steps they would need to take prior to returning to work. Will has worked on this project with Daniel, a member knowledgeable about the process of obtaining benefits. Will has also played an active part in our Wellness Program through working in a community garden. He’s helped plant fresh crops for the Clubhouse to use in the daily meals we prepare as part of our regular workday. His strong investment in the Clubhouse philosophy has made him a perfect fit for B’More, where he has been actively engaged in the diversity of our work."

*To find out more about B'More Clubhouse and what is going on there this spring, check out the "B'More Clubhouse Times" newsletter, featuring our service-learning honoree!*


Service-Learning Intern of the Month: Longte Kuptong
Service Site: Maryland Food Bank 

http://www.mdfoodbank.org/site/c.mgLPIYOzGlF/b.5551677/k.BF32/Home.htm


"Longte Kuptong has been organizing groups from UMBC to volunteer at the Maryland Food Bank for over two years. He brings a group on Wednesday and Friday afternoons to help in our Community Kitchen, where volunteers help us package prepared food before it is distributed to those in need. Not only does he organize the group but he also drives them to and from UMBC and provides guidance once they are back in the kitchen. Longte has also been helpful in finding volunteers for our big events. Last year, for our Blue Jean Ball, Longte graciously organized a group to come and help on a Friday evening with food service and cleaning. This event is the largest fund-raising event at the Maryland Food Bank and raised over $250,000 last year. Due to the Longte’s leadership, we were able to coordinate the food service and clean up in record time. 


“When we know Longte is coming, we save work for them because he is reliable and we know he can get so much done,” says Aida Blanco, Executive Chef at the Maryland Food Bank. Without the help of Longte, the kitchen would not be able to function at the level it does. Volunteers are the lifeline of the Maryland Food Bank and we cannot operate without their support. Longte is an exemplary individual who is dedicated to our mission to end hunger in Maryland. And that is shown to us week after week when Longte arrives with his group."



Both of these sites (B'More Clubhouse and Maryland Food Bank), along with many others, will be represented at UMBC's Connecting Community Partners Service Fair this Friday, April 26th, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, in BOTH UC 310 & UC 312.  Please see the attached flyer.

Posted: April 23, 2013, 11:26 AM