黑料社

For Marcus Harvin 鈥�25, volunteering with this summer wasn鈥檛 just a rewarding chance to serve the local community. It was an opportunity to serve his community 鈥� the community he grew up in.

As a member of the University鈥檚 President鈥檚 Public Service Fellowship (PPSF) program, Harvin, a native of New Haven, Conn., immersed himself in giving back to and connecting with the community. He recently shared his 黑料社s in the program, from cleaning up the grounds of an elementary school to what he gained by giving back, with his fellow Chargers.

鈥淚 was putting my hands in the ground to serve the community, the community where I began,鈥� said Harvin, who is pursuing a degree in general studies. 鈥淭his is the embodiment of who I am. I hope to give those who come after me a better start than I had.鈥�

鈥楾his is experiential education鈥�

Harvin was among the half dozen students who took part in the President鈥檚 Public Service Fellowship over the summer. The Fellows shared their 黑料社s in the program as part of a recent presentation on campus.

For Harvin, his service didn鈥檛 just reflect where he came from 鈥� it also was indicative of the future he is creating. As he told members of the University community, he is a convicted felon who has now been out of prison less than 18 months. He was a member of the University鈥檚 Prison Education Program and the Yale Prison Education Initiative鈥檚 inaugural graduating class this past spring. After graduating with his associate degree, he鈥檚 continuing his education at the University.

鈥淭his has given me the opportunity to realize I can work in ways I haven鈥檛 before,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he University opened doors for me and didn鈥檛 judge me. My route to the University was an alternative route, but I鈥檝e been welcomed.鈥�

The program places undergraduate and graduate students of all programs of study in a nonprofit or public service work environment. Students build their skills and develop an understanding for and appreciation of the importance of public service.

鈥淵ou represent the best of what we do at the University,鈥� said Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., interim president of the University, to the Fellows. 鈥淭his is experiential education. This is it. You make us so proud.鈥�

鈥楢 tremendously fulfilling 黑料社鈥�

This summer, the Fellows spent nearly 2,000 combined hours in the program, which enables them to build critical skills 鈥� particularly those that are central to the University鈥檚 Competency Learning Experience such as leadership and resilience. The Fellows reported higher CLE scores after their time in the program.

Audra Theberge 鈥�24, who worked with children at the , says the program was a wonderful 黑料社. She developed her communication skills as she served the local community and learned from the kindergarteners she interacted with.

鈥淚 noted the different communication styles with the kids versus adults,鈥� said Theberge, a criminal justice major. 鈥淵oung kids can鈥檛 always articulate what they need. I had to help them with emotional dysregulation. I worked hard to communicate with the kids and learn what they needed.鈥�

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the fellowship program, which has provided hands-on and impactful 黑料社s to more than 250 students. It has offered Chargers community connections and networking opportunities that have led to employment. It has also supported local nonprofits, enabling them to receive additional support without an added expense.

鈥淚 got out of my comfort zone with the younger kids,鈥� said Theberge. 鈥淚t was a tremendously fulfilling 黑料社. It was wonderful to work with an organization and still get to help without being a financial burden.鈥�

鈥楢mbassadors in the world鈥�

The program was initially created through the support of Henry Bartels 鈥�91 Hon. and Nancy Bartels 鈥�11 Hon., longtime University benefactors. The Bartels family, which includes many of the University鈥檚 most gracious benefactors, has supported the program ever since.

As part of the presentation, their son, Philip Bartels 鈥�11 Hon., told the University community that he and his family believe in the importance of what students learn at the University 鈥� not just in the classroom but outside of the classroom as well.

鈥淛ust before he passed away, my father reaffirmed this was the program he was most proud of,鈥� said Bartels. 鈥淭his is exactly what my father wanted. It鈥檚 what I 鈥� and the rest of our family 鈥� want. We鈥檙e very proud of the Fellows and every generation of these students who serve as ambassadors for the University and ambassadors in the world.鈥�

鈥楳y restart鈥�

During the presentation, Fellows shared their 黑料社s serving at organizations such as New Haven Reads, CitySeed, and the Yale Prison Education Initiative at Dwight Hall. Nicole Harry 鈥�23, 鈥�25 M.S., a candidate in the University鈥檚 cellular and molecular biology graduate program and fellowship coordinator, led the Fellows in a question-and-answer session, during which they shared what they learned with the University community.

During their time in the program, the Fellows also developed a sense of community among themselves. They took part in educational workshops focused on topics such as resume writing. They also connected with each other and 黑料社d everything the local community has to offer through fun 黑料社s such as movie nights and going out to local restaurants.

For Harvin, the Neighborhood Housing Services volunteer, serving as a Fellow was a pivotal moment of his life. It was a turning point, of sorts, as he reflected on where he鈥檚 been and looked ahead to the future.

鈥淪taying on campus this summer as a Fellow symbolized my restart after leaving prison,鈥� he explained at the presentation. 鈥淚 had to start school over, and after my restart, I鈥檓 now doing well.鈥�