Day of Service
A total of 120 Manhattan College students spent April 28 mulching flower beds in Fort Independence Park, engaging with Bronx seniors at Serviam Gardens, and helping to promote a housing elevation initiative that was launched in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, by the Friends of Rockaway, in Queens. These were just a few of the activities that took place on Mission Month Day of Service, an annual event that calls on the Jasper community to follow in the legacy of our founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, by leading and serving others.
This year, volunteers from the College worked in collaboration with several community partner organizations, including Altagracia Faith & Justice Works, Bronx is Blooming - Jerome Park Reservoir, City Harvest, Clean Slate Initiative, It's My Park at Henry Hudson (NYC Parks Department), Fordham-Bedford Community Services, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Saint Bernard's Project/Friends of Rockaway, and Serviam Gardens.
The Manhattan College Games
The Kinesiology department and honor society Phi Epsilon Kappa hosted the Manhattan College Games on April 28. The longtime College tradition invites children and adults with mental and physical disabilities from New York City, Westchester County and Rockland County to participate in an annual day of physical and non-competitive sports and activities. Community groups involved in this year’s games include:
- Advocates for Services for the Blind
- Advocates for Services
- Community Resource Center for the Developmentally Disabled
- Goodwill Industries
- Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
- YAI – Yonkers
Habitat for Humanity
On April 14, the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter partnered with Habitat for Humanity on the nonprofit organization’s annual Home Builders Blitz, an event that challenges volunteers to build two houses in five days, from start to finish. The College students contributed to the national project by painting the doors of homes in Newburgh, N.Y.
English Department Fun Run
On April 7, a 5K fun run organized by the College’s English department raised $1,400 to benefit the Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters. A total of 40 students and six faculty members participated in the race, which was held in Van Cortlandt Park. In the future, plans were discussed to bring Manhattan students into the Academy to assist the school’s underserved students with literacy.