Connecting With Our Community: Sociology Students Visit Local Organizations

From leading a fun game of Bingo and making jewelry, to painting and providing warm hats and gloves to local residents, students in Professor Renee Adamany’s Sociology: Interpersonal and Group Dynamics course are connecting with local community organizations through their service-learning projects.

Sociology Students Betsy Miller, Coletta Aini, and Rachel Dolan at Kingsway Manor Assisted Living

At Kingsway Manor Assisted Living, students assisted with a Bingo game and collected items for five prize baskets. Each participant also received a gift bag.

Coletta Aini, a dual Human Services and Chemical Dependency Counseling major, was in this group. She said, "This project felt very rewarding. The residents were happy to have us. They enjoyed themselves. They even asked that we come back and play Bingo again."

Students led budding artists at Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region in painting and jewelry making projects. Each girl also received a gift bag filled with books and crafts, while enjoying pizza, drinks, and snacks.

At the YWCA NorthEastern NY, students and residents tie-dyed T-shirts. Residents enjoyed pizza, drinks, and snacks that were provided by the students. Each resident also received a gift bag filled with personal care items and winter apparel.

Students led craft activities and game stations for children ages 5-12 at Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc. (RISSE) and provided pizza, chicken, desserts, and drinks. Each child received a backpack filled with a notebook, pencils, and craft items. They also chose winter apparel including hats, mittens, and scarves.

Every spring and fall, students in Professor’s Adamany’s class choose various organizations with which to partner, develop plans for their service-learning projects, and fund raise/seek donations for necessary supplies.