In addition to full-time classes and part-time employment, two Monroe students are doing community service. Leano Monsantoand Keeira Hall have a vision that’s larger than just themselves. They both are working to improve the New Rochelle Community that surrouds the college. As a result of their efforts, they were presented with an award for Outstanding Community Service.
“I volunteer because it is fun,” Leano said. “It is something that I have always been interested in doing. At home (in the Virgin Islands) though, it was hard to help out because I would have to take care of my siblings. But here at Monroe I’m able to do it.”
Their service usually occupies 10-hours/week and the list of projects is long. They worked to get Monroe College, the College of New Rochelle and Iona College together for a Habitat for Humanity project where they painted houses in New Rochelle. There was also a Thanksgiving food drive that helped 200-250 people. They made baskets with fruits and vegetables, chicken, and turkey, all the fittings for a Thanksgiving meal that was organized through the nearby Union Baptist Church.
They also volunteered at a local New Rochelle elementary school, where they organized outdoor activities like wiffle ball and basketball. They have also participated in college initiatives like toy drives, donations for cancer, cancer walks, AIDS walks, and diabetes walks. |