Events Calendar

In collaboration between YASC and Instituto Nueva Escuela (INE), we invite you to join us for a pilot virtual book club for 20 students between the ages of 3 and 6 years old in the Montesorri Casa de Ninos of the Bernarda Robles de Hevia School, in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. Topics and books discussed will focus mainly on animals and biology and will provide dynamic interaction with the students. Please note that all sessions will be conducted in Spanish.

Programming will consist of two sessions: March 31 (12-1 p.m. ET) and May 5 (12-1 p.m. ET).

Instituto Nueva Escuela (INE) is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is dedicated to improving Puerto Rican students’ academic and socio-emotional outcomes through the implementation of Montessori education in the public school setting. INE accomplishes its mission by partnering with public schools to train and certify classroom teachers in Montessori education and provides leadership, support and technical assistance to public schools and to community partners.

Volunteer from your dorm, work, or home by writing letters, organized by Jacob Cramer BF' 22, founder of Love for Our Elders. You can write to one or more elders from around the world who are struggling with loneliness and isolation. Tell them about yourself, maybe share a joke or a riddle and let them know that they are loved.

This is a perfect service activity for people practicing social distancing and/or cannot participate in-person. Write your letters any day, celebrate on May 7 for Yale Day of Service.

Please find instructions for letter writing on the Love for Our Elders website. 

Contact: Jacob Cramer '22

The Spring Housing Blitz organized by Interfaith Action of Central Texas is a one-day event during which Yalies join volunteers from other local organizations to paint and repair homes of senior citizens and disabled individuals who are living in deep poverty. The goal is to keep homeowners safe and help them remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love.

Who's Coming?

Contact: Deidre Dawson '85 MA, '86 MPhil, 'PhD

Children being taken into foster care used to be given trash bags to carry their few belongings. This sent the wrong message - Our children are not garbage!

Sewing and non sewing volunteers are needed to help prepare and sew kits to make beautiful and sturdy duffle bags for these children that can later be used when moving within the foster care system and to participate in sports or go to camp. 

Who's Coming?

Contact: Hilda Chaski Adams '87 MPH

What are the pathways for current students in the social justice and public health sectors? Join the Yale Alumni Association and Dwight Hall at Yale in celebrating service and public health as 2021 Yale-Jefferson Award winner Margaret Flinter ’80 MSN, senior vice president and clinical director of the Community Health Center, Inc. (CHCI) and senior faculty and founder emeritus of its Weitzman Institute, talks with current Yale students on their public health pathways.

Building on her steadfast dedication to providing healthcare services for those in need, Margaret will lead a discussion with Dwight Hall Fellows that addresses the role of public service and public health to create social change and improve people’s lives. Participants will share their experiences, discussing the pathways for current students to pursue careers in these sectors, addressing how to identify mentorship opportunities and how to get involved to make a real difference.

*Please note: this project has reached maximum capacity for registrations.*

G.R.O.W.E.R.S., Inc. @ Greenbrier offers a multi-path approach to providing horticultural education, employment opportunities and therapy for adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Register and join us any time between 9 a.m. and noon. This event is co-sponsored by the DiversAbility at Yale (DAY) Affinity Group and the Future Leaders of Yale (FLY) Affinity Group.
 
Volunteers will help with watering, planting, and other gardening tasks. Children of all ages are welcome to participate.
 
Please bring your own garden/work gloves, water bottles, clothing layers, sun protection and wear clothes that can get dirty.

Garden tools will be provided, although you are welcome to bring your own. 
 
Street parking is available on Cliff Street. Enter the gate; greenhouses are right inside the gate.

Please share this with friends, family, and colleagues; everyone is welcome to participate. We do ask that all volunteers register in advance, as the number of volunteers for this event is capped at 15. 

Who's Coming?

Contact: Julie Linden

The Mercy Learning Center’s mission is to provide literacy and life skills training to low income women in Bridgeport, CT.  The staff serves about 1,000 women per year,  from 50 countries of origin, and teaches English, Math, Science, Social Studies/Civics and computing/technology to prepare students for High School Equivalency diplomas, U.S. Citizenship exams, job interviews and college careers.  MLC also offers social services, counseling, food and diaper assistance and childcare.

Google Meet Call, May 5 @ 12pm ET: For anyone wishing to learn more about The Mercy Learning Center from Jane Ferreira, MLC CEO, there will be a Google Meet call on Thursday May 5 at noon EST for 30 minutes, email Lee Race for open invite.

In Person Drop Off: May 24, Bridgeport, CT 
For those interested in an in-person drop off on Tuesday May 24, please email Lee Race.  We will be brining a large local delivery of Food Pantry and Toiletry Items. Everyone local is welcome to join and meet the staff.

Donation Drive:   
MLC staff are in urgent need of donations and family friendly Food Pantry and Toiletries for their members for at home use. CEO Jane Ferreira, Yale MAR, Theology Class of ‘89 often says, “When you educate a woman, you educate a family” and all donations will stretch across generations.  There are multiple ways to contribute below followed by MLC’s Non Profit information for tax deductions.

Cash/Credit Donations direct to MLC site noting YDOS22; Please note YDOS22 in comments for tracking

Food Pantry:  
Non Perishable Healthy Foods can be sent via Amazon and Walmart for Monday to Friday delivery dates at any time to:
The Mercy Learning Center, 637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604-4611
For these sites, select gift receipt and note YDOS22 if possible, for tracking

Favorites of their families would be healthy cereal, soup, canned tuna, non perishable Mac and Cheese, Pasta and Sauce, canned vegetables, healthy crackers.  
Note: NO Peanut Butter please due to nut allergies.

Toiletries:
Ship to above and note YDOS22.
Items urgently needed include generic toiletries: toothbrushes (adult and child), toothpaste, floss, soap, shampoo, deodorant, baby wipes, tampons and sanitary napkins.

In the spirit of Yale Day of Service please consider the above dates as guidelines. Donations are welcome at any time.  

Social Sharing:
If you’d like to include a comment, photo or donation as part of a 2022 Yale Day of Service post for MLC we will do please email Lee Race '93 MPPM and Kylie Race and we will post on a wrap up in late May for a final push in early June as they go into summer season.

Join the Yale Club of Riverside and San Bernardino for an Earth Day cleanup and restoration along the road to the silo and dairy barn ruins while learning about the Llano del Rio utopian experiment in the Mojave Desert.

• Meet at 9 AM at 165th St East at the pop up on the East side, north of Ave W-4. Parallel park on 165th. 
• Please wear closed toes, a hat and sunscreen. 
• If you are interested in helping to paint out graffiti contact Karyl Newman
• Download the Hoverlay app to your smartphone to access exhibits during and after the cleanup. 

Stay for a history tour and casual lunch for all volunteers. 

Contact: Karyl Newman '96 MFA

The Muddy River Cleanup is a part of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup.  Come join fellow Yalies and other volunteers from across the Boston area to pick up litter and remove invasive species in Olmsted Park and the surroundings.  Bring your energy and spirit; the rest (e.g., gloves, bags) will be provided.

The event will be held outdoors, rain or shine, so please wear the appropriate shoes and clothing!  All ages are welcome.

Olmsted Park is accessible by T (Green E line), bike, and car, with parking off of Willow Pond Road (Jamaica Pond Parking lot) and on side streets.

Who's Coming?

Contact: Carolyn Yao '88 MS