Sociology Students Joining Forces To Impact Our Community

Students in SOC 127: Interpersonal and Group Dynamics, with Adjunct Faculty Member Frank Pouliot.

12/03/2025

From collecting food items for a backpack program at a local elementary school to donating personal care items to a local shelter, organizing pizza parties, and leading fun art activities at local organizations, students in Sociology classes have been out in the community, impacting the lives of kids and adults through their service-learning projects.

The students are in SOC 127: Interpersonal and Group Dynamics classes taught by Professor Renee Adamany and Adjunct Faculty Member Frank Pouliot. Each semester the course includes a service-learning component where students form groups, choose a local organization, and develop a project to help assist them.

Students standing near car with trunk open to show items they are donating

Carly Johnson, Emma Riehl-Robinson, Samuel Cox, and Angel Werry

Items that are being donated stacked on a table

“Nourishing the Future” raised money through can and bottle drives, coin drops, and collecting donations for the Backpack Program at Sacandaga Elementary School in Scotia. They assisted in packing bags for food-insecure children and families which contained kid-friendly pantry items, easy to prepare meals, baking mixes, art supplies, fuzzy socks, and more.

Emma Riehl-Robinson, who is in the Direct Support Professional Microcredential program, shared, “This group project was a wonderful experience for me from start to finish. Raising money and collecting donations for food-insecure children just made it clearer to me that a collective effort, no matter how small, can grow into something truly helpful and meaningful. When multiple people step up and show a little kindness, the impact becomes far greater than any one of us could create alone."

Students smiling, standing in kitche at City Mission

Pravena Totaram, Kyle Desjadon, Michael McGeever, and James Thornton

Students holding food items and personal care items that are being donated, standing, smiling
Kyle Desjadon, James Thornton, Pravena Totaram, and Jasmine Khaliq

“Hands For Hope” worked with the City Mission of Schenectady and organized a pizza party there. They also collected hygiene products that were given out to residents and non-perishable food items that they donated to the kitchen.

Erin Breslin, Development Support Specialist at the City Mission of Schenectady, said, “We were thrilled and so grateful for the team of students from SUNY Schenectady and their kind interest in helping others. They originally helped with a pizza party at the Mission, and from that experience selected City Mission for a donation of items that filled five boxes with toiletries and other items we don’t always receive, including soaps and shampoos. City Mission feels so blessed by their support.”

Students standing behind table that is stacked with items they collected and are donating

Cherise Rouse, Kevin Shivlan, Margaret Frias, Miosoti Morales, and Fiona Govindan

“Phoenix” partnered with the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) program at Oneida Middle School, an initiative that supports boys and young men of color by connecting them with mentoring, support networks, and opportunities to build academic and career skills. They collected donations by recycling bottles and reaching out to community members for contributions. With the funds they raised, they provided footballs and basketballs, healthy snacks, and treats for the students. They visited the program and hosted a pizza gathering where they interacted with the students, talked with them about their goals, and supported the MBK mentors in creating a positive and uplifting environment.

Students standing, smiling in front of car, trunk open with items they are donating

Holly Radice, Jacquline Davis, and Yahira Van Bellen. Not pictured: Alecia Estrada

“Service Eagles” gathered donations from family, friends, and co-workers to help meet the needs of 20 women at the YWCA NorthEastern NY Domestic Violence shelter. The group donated nine bags of clothes, cookware, food storage containers, bath linens, and bedding to the shelter. They also put together special gift bags with hygiene items and makeup products for each resident.

Student sitting at table in classroom

Joneà Melton, Janet Harris, Alexis Tyrell, Mikell Butler. Not pictured: Candice Roberts

Winter hats, scarves, and blankets on a table.

“Faith Reigns Supreme” visited Girls Inc., and creativity was flowing, as they led an art activity with the girls and hosted a pizza party. The group gave out donated hats, gloves, and sweaters to the girls, along with goodie bags. Alexis Tyrell shared, “All of the girls as well as my group had a great time and we really felt we made a difference!