No Images? Click here MPF Alumni NewsletterWinter 2017MLK Day of Service and Leadership On January 16th current Fellows, Northeastern students, youth from MPF host sites, and some fabulous MPF alumni came together at Northeastern University to honor Dr. King’s work. Through service projects and a diverse program of workshops, participants were inspired to keep marching forward for the causes they believe in and reflect on Dr. King’s legacy.
In This Issue:
MGH Youth Scholars with their Fellow, Lauren Simao The keynote speaker for the day was MPF alumni Cliff “Notez” Desravines (Class 15, 16), who premiered the trailer for his movie Vitiligo. The film focuses on mental health and trauma Black Americans experience in a violent society that stigmatizes mental health. His keynote address encouraged people to be aware of the millions of people suffering trauma because of systematic oppression and injustice in society, and that recognizing this trauma is the first step towards healing. Through understanding the impact of trauma on others we can grow empathy to see through their eyes and break the silence on this subject to spark change. After the keynote address, volunteers went to their service projects and youth participants were able to engage in a variety of workshops throughout the day. The workshops and some of their key takeaways are visually depicted below: Above: Cliff energizing the audience! Below: Cliff's keynote speech visually represented through the artwork of a graphic facilitator “The goal of MLK Day is to remember the legacy and example of Martin Luther King Jr. On this day I learned that we should, like MLK, never stop fighting for what is right and to keep learning how to love and support everyone around us in our society.” -Youth participant The day overall captured the spirit of people serving and leading change that is a part of MLK’s legacy. Fillette Lovaincy (Class 18) stated: “This event and MLK Day are very important, because with a lot of the things that are going on now sometimes students don’t have a chance to talk about these topics, especially in the classroom, so this really gave them the opportunity to have those conversations and those connections with people.” Thi Tran (Class 18) added how inspiring it is “to see teens step up and talk about their own passions. They embody service and leadership and all MLK stood up for, and especially in this moment it’s good to be together in solidarity.” Thank you to everyone who served and engaged in conversations on this day! Call for Pass the Wagon Host Committee Members!It's Pass the Wagon Season and Team MPF is recruiting Host Committee Members to support us in running another spectacular event! Without support from the Host Committee, this event wouldn't be possible. What we ask of committee members is listed below. Your support means more than ever! Each member will be asked to:
Alumni HappeningsThis is a new section in the alumni newsletter with the purpose of providing short stories and snippets on alumni accomplishments, news, and any other interesting miscellaneous tidbits from alumni. Have an “Alumni Happening” to share? Email Beth Gillig at elizabeth.gillig@gmail.com. All correspondence welcome!Making Learning Fun: Artemis Roehrig Artemis Roehrig (Class 13) recently co-authored two children’s picture books published by Persnickety Press. “Does a Fiddler Crab Fiddle?” is a factual fantasy book about fiddler crabs that engages children in having fun while discovering science. “Are Pirates Polite?” is a humorous rhyming book about pirate manners, showing that instead of being brash buccaneers, pirates always mind their manners and are (aargh-uably) the “pinnacle of politeness.” Artemis states that her experience serving at the Flying Cloud Institute with the Young Women in Science Program helped her a lot when it came to writing children's books. She explains that "in the science clubs I facilitated, I had professional scientists sharing science activities with high school students, who in turn shared them with elementary school students. I had to make sure the topic was tailored to suit the different ages along the way, and make sure it was fun enough to keep their attention! Children's book writing utilizes these same skills, since you have to take a larger concept or story, like the science of fiddler crabs or manners, and shrink it down to a manageable size for the age group you are writing for. If you can find a way to make it fun, or relate to their own lives, youth can learn anything.” For more information use the links below:
Collaboration Beyond the Fellowship: Science Club for Girls Left to right: Christine Niccoli, Amanda Maddalone, and Gina Varamo Ever wish you could have worked alongside another Fellow outside of just monthly meetings? Alumni Gina Varamo (Class 15, 16), Christine Niccoli (Class 17), and Amanda Maddalone (Class 15, 16) are currently all working at Science Club for Girls in Cambridge. Gina has been with Science Club for Girls the longest and is currently the Assistant Director of Youth Programs. Christine was thankful to have Gina to bounce questions off of during her year of service, and after the Fellowship Christine was hired as the Cambridge/Newton Program Manager. Amanda recently joined the Science Club team in November as the Boston Program Manager and is happy to be working directly with the MPF community again. She is grateful for the MPF connections who advocated for her. When asked what it’s like to work with other MPF alums they stated: “It is like monthly meetings every day! We are all on the Program Team so we work in the same office space, which creates a very collaborative work environment. It is great being able to use the language and knowledge we learned through MPF with other Alums who understand it. We are all committed to service and understand the importance of service to nonprofits and society...Plus we can wear matching powder blue hoodies whenever we want!” Movers and Changemakers: Leah Moschella at the United State of Women Summit“It's amazing to think that a room of 3,000 gender justice advocates that you've never met before could feel like family, but that is exactly how I felt at the end of the White House's United State of Women Summit last June." Leah Moschella (Class 8) is the Founder and President of Boston GLOW (Girls’ Leadership, Organized Women), and was invited to DC last summer to participate in the first United State of Women Summit. Leah says about the experience: “Hearing President Obama proclaim his identity as a feminist, Michelle Obama remind us to never feel intimidated by power, and Joe Biden enthusiastically pledge to end rape culture contributed to an electric energy as attendees shared ideas and resources for moving forward. I cherish the opportunity to hear from celebrities like Oprah and Kerry Washington, but I was most inspired by the chance to meet changemakers on the ground doing the work to make a difference in the lives of women and girls. I entered the day ready to learn, and left part of a lasting community ready and organized to have a lasting impact.” Barriers to Wellness Report: Catalina Tang Catalina Tang (Class 13, 14) works for the Center for Promise housed at Boston University’s School of Education, and does research to better understand the conditions needed for all young people to succeed and thrive. To gain more knowledge about the barriers young people of color currently face, the Center for Promise recently conducted a youth-led, multi-city health assessment - the first research of its kind. The assessment was specifically designed to engage youth as leaders so they could have their voices and views be heard, share their perspectives on what affects their health, and recommend strategies to address the barriers to wellness in their lives. To learn more about the key findings, recommendations, and additional resources check out the full report at: http://gradnation.americaspromise.org/report/barriers-wellness Then and Now: Class 8 Alumni SpotlightThis year marks the 10-year Anniversary of Class 8 graduating from the Fellowship! MPF is honored to do a special edition story on Class 8 and where they are now. The Fellows of Class 8 at their MPF Orientation in 2006! What They Are Currently DoingThe Alumni of Class 8 hold a diverse array of jobs, but a common thread uniting their stories is a continued commitment to serving others and the foundation of their passions and skills being discovered while they served as Fellows. Top: Whitney and her team. Bottom: Whitney tap dancing through the streets of New Orleans. Follow her on Insta (fun pics) or twitter (work life + dogs): @nolawhitney
“This is my husband and I looking so glamorous at my brother's wedding in Boston this fall. Being there during the leaves changing made me think of my time as a Fellow so fondly.”
Heather's favorite Memory of MPF: "Our retreats were always legendary. Also, I still have my box of affirmations.” Nick and his family at a wedding and the Grand Canyon Nick Demos is currently a Sports Pastor and Program Director for CCV Stars in Arizona, an outreach of Christ’s Church of the Valley that offers programs open to the community including soccer, football, basketball, and special needs programs for kids. CCV Stars serves over 10,000 participants a year in four different parts of the Phoenix area, and Nick oversees programming and volunteer curriculum/training, as well as running the recreational soccer leagues. As a Fellow he was with America SCORES Boston, an after school program designed to serve students through soccer and creative writing/literacy. “SCORES was an absolute perfect training ground to prepare me for what I do now. With SCORES I gained experience in recruiting and training volunteers, managing the various facets of running a sports league, and finding innovative ways to connect and serve local students." His time as a Fellow and the educational stipend also allowed him to earn his Masters in Sports Leadership at Northeastern University. "On top of that," Nick adds, "the training and mentorship that Kori and Colleen provided was invaluable, helping not only grow our leadership but our worldview.”
Nancy has won several awards since the Fellowship, and has testified in front of Congress, spoken at the State House, led rallies and protests, and been published in a National Blog all in the name of social justice. “I am honored to have received these accolades; but, for me, it is really about WE. How can WE positively impact our community? As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’” With this in mind, continue to uplift one another and our communities in the fight for social justice and EQUITY for all.”
Thank you for sharing your stories and for the work you do Class 8! Upcoming Dates and Reminders2017-2018 RFPs Due: February 6th FAM Kickoff Event: February 9th Pass the Wagon Host Committee Call: February 13th MPF Community Review: March 1st Pass the Wagon:April 28th
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