News
May 24th, 2022
Bringing Energy and New Ideas: Cornell Community Workstudy Program
Community, college and university collaborations continue to benefit all of us. Thank you SaMari, Carlene, Nabila and Janis – you rock! You have enriched our community with your energy and ideas that you brought to this work; we know that you will be ambassadors of community service and civic engagement as you move forward in your lives.
Reflections below (excerpts):
This is such a great organization, and I am so happy to have found it and worked side by side with it. I felt like a crucial component of major decisions that really made a powerful impact in the Ithaca community. This made me feel amazing as I became more than just a student at Cornell University, but I became a powerful agent in the well-being of Ithaca and its’ citizens. I can’t wait to be a part of a group of donors like this in the future when I am in my career. I love to give to my community as much as I can. It was a privilege and an honor, and I would do it a thousand times over. SaMari Hall, Class of 2022, Cornell University, College of Arts & Sciences. Major: Sociology
As a Community Impact Associate at the Community Foundation, I have learned so much. One thing I know of for sure is that anyone can be a philanthropist, and everyone has a platform to give and help their community. I used to have a very 1940’s view of a philanthropist, thinking of those such as the Rockefellers or Carnegies or institutions such as Cornell, as the extremely wealthy donors were the only ones giving and being the fuel for communities to sustain themselves. A lot of work that is done by communities is done by those who live in it. Carlene Mwaura, Class of 2024, Cornell University, New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
During the last two years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Community Foundation staff members. I have learned a lot about local organizations in the Tompkins County community and how the Foundation works with them to ensure community growth. This job introduced me to the inner workings of a community-based philanthropy organization. Social issues will always be at the forefront of my work, and the Community Foundation solidified this value. Nabila Okudo, Class of 2022, Cornell University, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Major: Communications Minor: History of Capitalism
Being a Community Impact Associate has been one of the best experiences I have had as a college student. It has opened up my eyes in seeing that it is possible to find work that I enjoy, work with people who consistently care for me and want me to succeed, and make an impact in people’s lives all at the same time. It wasn’t until I joined the Community Foundation of Tompkins County that I was able to see how much of an impact I could make in my own community through the job I worked. Janis Song, Class of 2022, Cornell University, College of Engineering. Major: Mechanical Engineering
Information regarding Community Foundation volunteer, employment and internship positions: click here