Yale FOCUS Volunteers - 2014

Yale FOCUS Group

The Community Building & Organizing team was very fortunate to partner with a Yale FOCUS group for the week of Monday August 18^th – Thursday August 22^nd. The Yale FOCUS program immerses sophomore and transfer students in a week of service to the local New Haven community, and our group of eight volunteers, led by junior architecture student Lauren Blonde, was dedicated to this cause. For four days, the students joined NHS in helping an elderly couple, Joe and Sue, refurbish their home in West Haven. Projects included painting the front porch, back deck, garage, and outdoor fencing, as well as staining wooden fences and floorboards.

 

One of NHS' new AmeriCorps VISTA Members, Kelsey, worked with Lauren and other volunteers on painting and staining the back deck area, and although the late August sun was broiling by noontime each day, the students never complained. In fact, several hours would fly by unnoticed as we engaged in animated discussion about local politics, urban planning, current events, and general silliness. Kelsey and Daniella were honored to join the students at the FOCUS culmination dinner in Dwight Hall, impressively organized by Lauren and the other FOCUS leaders

While Kelsey worked hard with most of the Yale students in the back of the home, Chandel and Beonca had the pleasure to work dutifully in the front of the house. Their projects included repainting an old white fence that framed the home, as well as repainting the sun porch located in the front of the house. Refurbishing the front of the house was top priority for this elderly couple because they enjoyed spending most of their time on the front porch. With the help of Pandora’s Fergie station and the delightful conversation between the Yale students, Irene and David, we were able to work together effectively to finish our jobs.  Although not all of the volunteers had experience in painting, with the support and guidance of one another and under the watchful eye of retired engineer Joe, we successfully finished all of our painting and even revived an old mailbox with paint for good measure.

The VISTA members and Yale Focus group hard work did not go unnoticed as Sue continued to bring us refreshments and snacks to keep our energy up while working in the hot August sun. During the middle of our work week Sue provided everyone with a “feast” of various Lebanese cuisines that left all of us full and ready for a nap. This community service project created an opportunity for everyone to learn new and exciting things. We were all delighted to work with such an inspiring and hardworking group, and hope to see some of the volunteers return for future NHS projects!