Colgate fellows make a big impact!Boston, MA, Aug newsletter 2011
We are proud to introduce our newest university partner, Colgate
University. Colgate, located in Upstate New York, has a history of
sponsoring fellowships for their students to work in non-profit
organizations in the Boston area.
This year, they have funded four students with paid fellowships to
work in Music Clubhouses at the West End House, Hyde Square
Task Force, Sociedad Latina and the Dorchester Music Clubhouse.
This summer 4 Colgate University students moved to Boston for an
incredible musical journey!
As part of a new summer staffing plan, the Colgate University Music
& Youth Fellowship provides a full time music assistant for 10 weeks
in the summer starting in June and lasting until mid August. This
partnership is good news for the Clubhouses who typically increase
participants numbers for summer camps and programs.
Each Colgate Fellow was carefully chosen to meet the needs of each
Clubhouse. Once they arrived, Elizabeth (Sociedad), Catlin (West
End House), Ben (Dorchester), and Hayley (Hyde Square Task Force)
jumped right into the programming of the Music Clubhouse.
Here is what they thought of their experience!
Elizabeth: "the goal is just to put smiles on their faces, to encourage them, be their cheerleader, to be a role model, to teach them something if I can."
Catlin: "With around 15 students... most of which were young girls, the room was no longer just for the boys. I looked around the room and saw these young girls, learning, growing and even teaching each other. I try to push them to become better musicians."
Ben: "Several children who I discovered to be regulars quickly became attached to me and looked to me for advice, lessons, and friendship. I was surprised at how quickly I became important to them: I had known them for a week or two when they started to tell me how they would miss me when I was gone for the summer..."
Hayley: "Most of the students learn fast and are open to trying new things. I also use the lessons to check in with students on a personal level. While we learn new chords and songs, we talk about their week and how they are feeling."
The Music & Youth Fellowship was piloted in the summer of 2010 and was so successful that Andy Peng, who worked at the Blue Hill Music Clubhouse, was invited back for another summer!
Andy: "I am very proud of the work that both Rick and I have accomplished with our respective bands in the brief seven weeks we had with them. I can also confidently say that we provided our kids with the most engaging and fun-filled summer experience possible."
The Colgate University Music & Youth Fellowship has made a big impact on the programming and lives of the participants in the Music Clubhouse.
We look forward to the fellows next summer as this partnership continues!
