Fourteen students from the Community Leadership Engagement at Worcester State [1] (CLEWS) learning community built a deck with Habitat for Humanity in Ashburnham, Mass., and a retaining wall for the Hector Reyes house in Worcester. Participants enjoyed unseasonably warm weather as they completed the projects on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12.
CLEWS, a learning community led by the Honorable John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement [2], is designed to challenge students and faculty to investigate social problems through course curriculum and supervised projects. The program also provides a pathway for opportunities with the Jumpstart organization and annual weekend in New York City to explore its vibrant culture and beauty.
CLEWS participants were accompanied by Dr. Mark Wagner, director of the Binienda Center, with the supervision of Steve Moon, lead carpenter for Habitat for Humanity volunteers. Habitat for Humanity is nonprofit organization with a vision to improve the world where everyone has a decent place to live and a mission to put God’s love into action.
Working with the Worcester Housing Authority, CLEWsters worked with The Hector Reyes House, a program that offers a continuum of culturally informed services for Latino males that focus on recovery from substance use. ClEWSters have been involved with numerous volunteer activities with the Hector Reyes House for the past years. Last summer they helped by gathering clothing from the house to be donated to Salvation Army and they were back this January again to rebuild wall for them.
The CLEWS program has been the foundation for many Worcester State students in leadership improvement and networking. Many have become resident assistants, orientation leaders or presidential student ambassadors.
Submitted by Tyanny McCaulsky ’22.