Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice / en 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance /stories/2024/9/11-day-service-remembrance <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">9/11 Day of Service &amp; Remembrance</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-11T10:05:39-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - 10:05" class="datetime">Wed, 09/11/2024 - 10:05</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span>BSU students volunteer to feed the hungry</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-09-11T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">September 11, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>As the new semester begins, 51łÔšĎÍř students have learned to adjust to new schedules, classes and finding their social circles, some have even discovered opportunities where they can help others in need.&nbsp;</p><p><span>&nbsp;</span>On Saturday, September 7 over 30 BSU volunteers traveled to Pembroke to pack 13,000 meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Southeast Massachusetts.&nbsp;</p><p>“This event offers students a way to connect to one another early on in the academic year before it gets too busy and helps connect them to the region,” said <strong>Laura Mulvey</strong>, assistant director of outreach and engagement at the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ).&nbsp;</p><p>The kickoff service event was held in conjunction with the 9/11 Day of Service &amp; Remembrance.&nbsp;<span> </span>It is the sixth year BSU has participated in the national program.</p><p>Senior criminal justice major <strong>Jemima Saint Leger</strong> volunteered at last year’s event and was so inspired, opted to participate again this year.&nbsp;</p> <div class="align-left ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--image-280w field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-6a32c433eb2" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="People work together wearing hair nets to pack up meals by tables" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/280w/public/media/images/img_5897.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“It was such a good experience, all of us helping, talking and working together...it felt very powerful,” she said.&nbsp;</p><p>Saint Leger said, all of the volunteers came from different disciplines and backgrounds and likes that BSU offers this opportunity so early on in the school year.&nbsp;</p><p>“I feel it’s a way, especially for freshman or those who have never participated in something like this, to connect to BSU and with other students,” she said. “It’s very rewarding working with others who also enjoy doing community service, and it’s great the school supports these types of efforts.”</p><p>To pack and distribute the meals to local organizations, MRISJ partners with the Outreach Program.<span>&nbsp;</span></p><p>According to Mulvey, BSU is one of 426 campuses that the Outreach Program partners with.&nbsp;</p><p>The group keeps a friendly running total, highlighting the schools who pack the most meals and this year BSU is ranked 13<sup>th</sup> for having packed a total of 119,394 meals since first joining the program.&nbsp;</p><p>This year’s meals consisted of flavored oatmeal, minestrone soup, pasta with tomato basil sauce, cheesy rice, Spanish rice and macaroni and cheese. The 13,000 meals BSU put together were then donated to, My Brother’s Keeper, Old Colony Y, Family Pantry, Damien’s Place Food Pantry and Brockton Interfaith Community.&nbsp;</p><p>Mulvey encourages students to be on the lookout for other MRISJ sponsored service project opportunities, including the upcoming<span>&nbsp; </span><a href="https://ems.bridgew.edu/MasterCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?data=hHr80o3M7J56JapAdAduJllXtlXXY0gjNvFJv3oFVRkNWvAybCiEIJCUbHxGvhCt#_ga=2.146936375.1835504308.1725928921-747350220.1721600935">Sharing the Harvest Service Project</a> scheduled for Sept. 28.</p><p>“It’s important for students to get involved with these types of events because it creates community and opens doors for them to learn about other ways they can be actively involved in issues they care about on campus and within their local community,” Mulvey said.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-f21bf232463" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A group of people wearing hair nets stand smiling and packing meals at tables" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/9.6_bears_fighting_hunger_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--235871 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-235871"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>It was such a good experience, all of us helping, talking and working together...it felt very powerful.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Jemima Saint Leger. '25 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" aria-label="Related stories tagged Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice" hreflang="en">Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:05:39 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 253216 at Difference Makers /stories/2024/difference-makers <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Difference Makers</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-29T09:07:18-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 09:07" class="datetime">Wed, 05/29/2024 - 09:07</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span>Students give back during alternative spring break trips</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-06-04T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">June 4, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div><p><span>Instead of heading to the beach over spring break, a select group of 51łÔšĎÍř students devoted time to making a difference.</span></p><p><span>Every year, the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) offers an alternative spring break program that gives students the opportunity to gain knowledge through civic engagement, direct service, and critical reflection.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>“It’s a fun way to spend spring break. Instead of going on an expensive or unsafe trip, you can do something that will further your personal growth and connect you to the Bridgewater community and beyond,” said student co-leader&nbsp;<strong>Maggie Kalstein</strong>, ’24.</span></p><p><span>Three different trips were offered this year, the Coalition for Social Justice in Southeastern Massachusetts; The&nbsp;Selma&nbsp;Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation in&nbsp;Selma, Alabama; and the Steinbruck Center at Luther Place in Washington, DC.&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="align-left ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--image-330x240 field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-610aa35d69e" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A group stands in front of the capital building in washington dc" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/330x240/public/media/images/spring_break_dc_photo_main_.jpeg?h=71976bb4" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span>“Coming out of this experience, I learned a lot,” said&nbsp;<strong>Keneen Maisonneuve</strong>, ’25, who served as a student team co-leader on the&nbsp;Selma&nbsp;trip. “It helped me have a better understanding of who I am, the type of person I am, and will help shape what type of career I want to have.”</span></p><p><span>Eight students led by Learning Partners&nbsp;<strong>Diane Bell</strong>, vice president of Outreach and Engagement,&nbsp;<strong>Michael Sandy</strong>, director of Study Abroad at the Minnock Institute for Global Engagement, and&nbsp;<strong>Margaret Lowe</strong>, history professor traveled to&nbsp;Selma&nbsp;where they collaborated with the&nbsp;Selma&nbsp;Center for Nonviolence.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>This was the first time BSU has offered an alternative spring break trip to&nbsp;Selma, which is best known as the home of the brutal&nbsp;March 7, 1965, “Bloody Sunday” beatings on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, during the first march for voting rights.&nbsp;Selma&nbsp;is home to many Civil Rights sites.</span></p><p><span>Students worked with volunteers from the center at a local farm that provides fresh produce to area locals and serves as an educational tool teaching planting, cooking, and sustainability skills.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>According to Lowe, the group also visited The National Memorial for Peace and Justice Museum, dedicated to the victims of racial terror lynchings as well as The Legacy Museum, that provided first-person historical accounts and interactive content covering topics like enslavement and racial terrorism.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>“It was a lot to process for our students, the exhibits were really moving,” Lowe said.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>The overall experience was so impactful, that Keneen signed up to be a&nbsp;Selma Center Ambassador.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>“Now that I’m back home, I continue to use my voice to spread awareness of the work they are doing in&nbsp;Selma,” she said. “I felt such a strong sense of belonging and community there and want to help&nbsp;Selma&nbsp;get to where it wants to go.”</span></p><p><span>Bringing the knowledge gained back to BSU is important, said&nbsp;<strong>Genesis Guerroro</strong>, ’24, a social work major who was a student co-leader on the Washington DC trip.&nbsp; Anthropology professor&nbsp;<strong>Simone Poliandri</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Victoria Field</strong>, assistant director of the Center for Student Engagement, served as learning partners.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>“All experiences are focused on service and reflection,” Genesis said. “We aren’t just going somewhere for a week and then we’re done. We reflect on the root causes...what can we bring back to the Bridgewater community or communities? What can we do with what we learned?”</span></p><p><span>The Washington DC group concentrated on food insecurity and homelessness and spent a week working with the Steinbruck Center. They volunteered at a domestic violence shelter for women, and nonprofit groups DC Central Kitchen and Bread for the City.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>“We went to DC to really just learn and educate ourselves. We didn’t want to go down and do the work and that was it,” said student co-leader and psychology major&nbsp;<strong>Summa Slater</strong>, ’25. “These opportunities really fuel the passion in my heart for the work I want to be doing.”</span></p><p><span>Locally, Maggie Kalstein and&nbsp;<strong>Sophia Quish</strong>, ’27, led a group in the local alternative break program with the Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ) Education Fund.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Through the CSJ, students took a trip to the State House where they met with members of the state legislature and had the opportunity to share issues important to them. They also visited Norton High School to discuss civic engagement with youth and participated in activism art.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>“We talk a lot about social justice and wanting to make a difference, but it’s often an abstract thought,” Maggie said. “The alternative break program really does show you that it’s not just a possibility, but pretty easy to reach out to legislators.”&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="align-left ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--image-280w field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-49dfbbfe0a8" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A group stands in front of a statue of two hands interlocked" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/280w/public/media/images/ab_trip_local_photo_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span>Applications for the Spring 2025 alternative spring break program will open in early fall 2024. MRISJ Director of Programs&nbsp;<strong>Jennifer Thibodeau</strong>&nbsp;encourages interested students to check out the MRISJ&nbsp;</span><a href="/center/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" target="_blank" title="/center/martin-richard-institute-social-justice"><span>website</span></a><span>&nbsp;and social media accounts (Instagram: @bsumrisj, X: @bsumrisj, Facebook:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBSUInstituteforSocialJustice&amp;data=05%7C02%7CHHARRIS%40bridgew.edu%7C84d239fc24574ae7952208dc63a226e6%7C48ec3bf8d1654eabbbeef8d5307f46e1%7C0%7C0%7C638494795312955066%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=CWkET6V%2BSCU8hbO1E5hLRUblE5prQnfixkS3DZNO9i8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" title="Original URL: https://www.facebook.com/BSUInstituteforSocialJustice. Click or tap if you trust this link."><span>https://www.facebook.com/BSUInstituteforSocialJustice</span></a><span>).</span></p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-60200eb50db" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A group of people stand in front of a large sign that reads Selma" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/selma_photo_.jpeg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233386 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233386"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>We aren't just going somewhere for a week and then we're done. We reflect on the root causes...what can we bring back to the Bridgewater community or communities? What can we do with what we learned?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Genesis Guerroro, '24 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" aria-label="Related stories tagged Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice" hreflang="en">Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 29 May 2024 13:07:18 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 252426 at Serving the Community /stories/2024/serving-community <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Serving the Community </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-01-23T13:16:56-05:00" title="Tuesday, January 23, 2024 - 13:16" class="datetime">Tue, 01/23/2024 - 13:16</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> A large turnout marks 20<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;annual MLK Day of Service&nbsp; </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-01-25T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">January 25, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>When 51łÔšĎÍř hosted its inaugural MLK Day of Service in 2004,&nbsp;<strong>Vinda Butler</strong>, ’08, was one of the first students to participate, now, 20 years later, the alumna returned to BSU to once again volunteer at the annual event, this time with her 12-year-old daughter Anaiya. &nbsp;</p> <p>“Although BSU was a place where I came to pursue my education, I immediately saw that community service was a staple on campus and it fueled my desire to help others,” she said. “Volunteering as a student allowed me to explore my interest and passion while making a positive impact in the community.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Today Butler has carved out a career working in advocacy and currently serves as a community outreach manager for the Peabody Companies, assisting with elder care.&nbsp;</p> <p>Over the years, Butler has continued to volunteer for a variety of causes, including serving as president of BSU’s Afro-American Alumni Association; she is presently a member of the Bridgewater Alumni Association. &nbsp;</p> <p>When she learned BSU was looking for alumni to help with planning this year’s MLK Day of Service, she jumped at the chance. &nbsp;</p> <p>“This year’s 20<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;annual MLK Day of Service is just as impactful as the very first one I attended because it continues to allow me to honor the legacy of Dr. King while making a difference,” the alumna said.&nbsp;</p> <p>Butler, and 130 others, volunteered their time this year to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on Jan. 20. &nbsp;</p> <p>Sponsored by the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ), the event allowed volunteers to choose from eight service projects, held both off and on campus.&nbsp;</p> <p>While MLK Day is traditionally observed on the third Monday of January, MRISJ hosts it at the beginning of spring semester to make it easier for students to participate when they return to campus. &nbsp;</p> <p>This year was the first that MRISJ included alumni. &nbsp;</p> <p>“It was great to have alumni help us plan and take on leadership roles, because of their help we were able to really make this event happen in a way we haven’t done in the past,” said&nbsp;<strong>Jennifer Thibodeau</strong>, MRISJ director of programs. &nbsp;</p> <p>Butler and her daughter, Anaiya, signed up to work with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth. Together with other volunteers, they worked on a home renovation. &nbsp;</p> <p>“It was great to have BSU alumni like myself able to connect with current students and a greater community,” Butler said. “As a mother, I bring my oldest daughter to instill the value of giving back without wanting anything in return.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Junior&nbsp;<strong>Summa Slater</strong>, a psychology major, also volunteered this year. She opted to work with the Coalition for Social Justice Education Fund in New Bedford where she participated in an “I Have a Dream Storytelling” workshop. &nbsp;</p> <p>Slater works at MRISJ as an alternative break team leader. In March, over spring break, she will lead a group of students on a service project in Washington DC. She agrees with Butler as to why volunteering is important. &nbsp;</p> <p>“When you volunteer and perform acts of service you gain a sense of community, you get to be part of something by working with others on the same goals,” she said.&nbsp;</p> <p>Other organizations that participated in this year’s MLK Day of Service were the End Hunger New England Outreach Program, Father Bill’s &amp; MainSpring, Gifts to Give, the Old Colony YMCA, Project PACK and School on Wheels of Massachusetts. &nbsp;</p> <p>Beyond MLK Day of Service, MRISJ offers many different volunteer opportunities throughout the year and Butler encourages students to get involved. &nbsp;</p> <p>“Volunteering doesn’t cost a thing,” she said. “Your time is the greatest thing you can give a community. It’s important to remember that one person can make a huge impact.”&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email <a href="mailto: stories@bridgew.edu ">stories@bridgew.edu&nbsp;</a></em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-1042b6cb0c9" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Two women use a saw and hammer" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/mlk_day_of_service_photo_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--216791 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-216791"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Your time is the greatest thing you can give a community. It’s important to remember that one person can make a huge impact. </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Vinda Butler, '08 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" aria-label="Related stories tagged Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice" hreflang="en">Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:16:56 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 251241 at In Martin's Honor /stories/2023/martins-honor <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In Martin's Honor </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-04-14T12:07:00-04:00" title="Friday, April 14, 2023 - 12:07" class="datetime">Fri, 04/14/2023 - 12:07</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Student humbled to receive Martin Richard scholarship </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2023-04-18T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">April 18, 2023</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Last year when <strong>Tyeisha Gilchrist</strong>, ‘26, learned she was the first recipient of the Martin Richard Fellow Scholarship, she was excited, it meant her dream of working as a private investigator could become a reality.</p> <p>Established in 2021 by <strong>Bill</strong> and <strong>Denise Richard</strong> (both members of the class of 1993), the Martin Richard Fellow Scholarship fully funds tuition, fees, on campus-housing and a meal plan. Each student selected will receive $100,000 to fund four years at 51łÔšĎÍř.</p> <p>“This scholarship means I get to live on campus for free and I get the full college experience,” Tyeisha said. “Since being on campus I’ve been able to connect with people and have access to different resources. I’ve been able to get academic counseling and scholarship counseling. All of the layers of support have been helpful.”</p> <p>Ten years ago when Bill and Denise lost their son Martin, then 8, during the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, they founded a charity in their son’s name to honor his memory.</p> <p>The Martin Richard Foundation invests in programs that advance their late son’s values of sportsmanship, inclusion, kindness and peace, programs like the Martin Richard Fellow Scholarship.</p> <p>“This scholarship transforms lives,” said <strong>Ellen Cuttle Oliver</strong>, chief development officer of alumni and development. “Awards like this provide students with opportunities they never imagined. It frees them up from worrying about how to pay the bills and allows them to focus on how to change the world.”</p> <p>To qualify, recipients of the scholarship must be graduates of Dorchester’s Neighborhood House Charter School, where Martin and his siblings attended and where Denise worked as a volunteer librarian.</p> <p>The scholarship is merit based and provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge and commitment to civics and social justice.</p> <p>In addition to covering all institutional fees, the recipient also becomes a Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) fellow.</p> <p>MRISJ Director of Outreach and Engagement <strong>Jennifer Thibodeau</strong>, along with other members of the BSU community and Neighborhood House Charter School, decide which candidate is most deserving.</p> <p>“First, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, or the equivalent, but what we are really looking for are students who are excited and passionate about community service,” Thibodeau said, adding that Tyeisha stood out because of her participation in Outward Bound, where she served in a leadership role.</p> <p>This past year, as a MRISJ fellow, Tyeisha has performed multiple service projects, including her work with School on Wheels, a local program that provides school supplies and other resources for homeless students.</p> <p>She has also been involved with other projects through the Old Colony Y in Brockton.</p> <p>“Giving back is important to me because if you live in a community, you should do all you can to help those who are struggling. I want to help others as best I can, I want to take action, instead of sitting by and doing nothing,” she said.</p> <p>Watching Tyeisha transition from high school to BSU as she pursues a degree in criminal justice; witnessing her growth as a student, it has been inspiring, Thibodeau said.</p> <p>“We couldn’t be more thankful that Tyeisha is our first scholar. She is so open, honest and willing to do the work that needs to be done. She is helping us build this and helps us better define what this scholarship will look for in terms of future scholars,” Thibodeau said.</p> <p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email <a href="mailto: stories@bridgew.edu ">stories@bridgew.edu&nbsp;</a></em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-b26cedfcc16" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Tyeisha Gilchrist stands in front of lockers with award saying she is first Martin Richard Foundation scholar" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/tyeishas_gilchirst_photo_for_web_page_.png" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--192211 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-192211"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Awards like this provide students with opportunities they never imagined. It frees them up from worrying about how to pay the bills and allows them to focus on how to change the world. </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Ellen Cuttle Oliver, chief development officer and executive director of the BSU Foundation </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" aria-label="Related stories tagged Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice" hreflang="en">Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 14 Apr 2023 16:07:00 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 248826 at Inspired to Act /stories/2022/inspired-act <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Inspired to Act</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-09-09T13:50:34-04:00" title="Friday, September 9, 2022 - 13:50" class="datetime">Fri, 09/09/2022 - 13:50</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Campus volunteers mark 9/11 anniversary by serving some of the region’s neediest </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2022-09-13T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">September 13, 2022</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>On September 10, members of the 51łÔšĎÍř community volunteered their time to help pack 25,000 meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Southeastern Massachusetts.</p> <p>The event was part of the 9/11 National Day of Service, which encourages people to transform the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks into a day of doing good deeds and acts of kindness.</p> <p>Justice fellow and political science major&nbsp;<strong>Meredith Beckett</strong>, ’23, was happy to volunteer.</p> <p>“I couldn’t think of a better way to give back and show gratitude for the heroes of 9/11 than to spend a day serving people experiencing food insecurity on an otherwise somber day of remembrance,” Meredith said.</p> <p>The event was co-sponsored by the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ), Center for Student Engagement, Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services, and Program Council.</p> <p>“It was a great community builder and gave students a chance to get to know each other and start off on a strong foot,” said&nbsp;<strong>Laura Mulvey</strong>&nbsp;MRISJ assistant director. “We encourage students to volunteer not only to get involved and give back to their local communities, but also to build connections with their peers to gain a sense of belonging.”</p> <p>It is the fourth year Bridgewater State has partnered with&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.endhungerne.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CHHARRIS%40bridgew.edu%7C5b19b075751c4368763108da92823d32%7C48ec3bf8d1654eabbbeef8d5307f46e1%7C0%7C0%7C637983385310060206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Ow3uqXM4gCmxy6fPUmB5YBjFfmbkNr6DwoXSd01OqLc%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Original URL: https://www.endhungerne.org/. Click or tap if you trust this link.">End Hunger New England</a>&nbsp;on the 9/11 National Day of Service. The organization’s mission is to end hunger across New England.</p> <p>The meals they donate consist of food items that have a long storage life and are also simple to make and don’t require additional ingredients, like the tomato basil pasta and apple cinnamon oatmeal BSU volunteers packed up on Sept. 10.</p> <p>The food BSU volunteers put together were distributed to local food pantries, churches, and other organizations, including the Bridgewater Senior Center, Old Colony Y, Massasoit Community College Food Pantry, and Center Square Congregational Church.</p> <p>“It’s a nice way to help some of our local community partners,” Mulvey said. “What’s also great about this is it always leads to students volunteering again. It inspires service.”</p> <p>Beyond the 9/11 National Day of Service, students can find ongoing volunteer opportunities on campus, including working in the BSU permaculture garden, or the Schools on Wheels program, operated through the Old Colony Y. For more information on ways to volunteer visit the MRISJ&nbsp;<a href="/center/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>.</p> <p>“More BSU students should find ways to get involved in service and volunteerism because it is an integral part of professional growth and development, especially as an undergrad,” Meredith said. “Service and volunteerism aren’t only about giving back. Another huge pillar is self-reflection and an invoking of compassion and understanding for others.”</p> <p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email <a href="mailto: stories@bridgew.edu ">stories@bridgew.edu&nbsp;</a></em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-b33084884d2" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="BSU volunteers pack up boxes of food for those in need" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/bsu_day_of_service_.png" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--157496 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-157496"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> I couldn’t think of a better way to give back and show gratitude for the heroes of 9/11 than to spend a day serving people experiencing food insecurity on an otherwise somber day of remembrance. </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Meredith Beckett, '23 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/martin-richard-institute-social-justice" aria-label="Related stories tagged Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice" hreflang="en">Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 09 Sep 2022 17:50:34 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 245856 at