How did you become involved with Building One Community? 

“I became involved with Building One Community during my sophomore year.  I heard about it during one of the Barat Foundation presentations and I contacted them to volunteer.”

Why does the mission of Building One Community resonate with you? 

“I have a lot of immigrants in my family, and I am interested in studying international relations in college, so their mission really spoke to me.  There are so many immigrants struggling in Stamford, where I live, and I really wanted to do something to help them integrate into the community and have the same opportunities I have had in life.”

What is your favorite part of volunteering for Building One Community?

“I do a lot of different things at Building One Community, but my favorite is definitely teaching classes to the kids.  They come during the summer, sometimes with a parent and we teach courses on reading and math to help them get ahead for the school year.  The kids are so adorable, and the most gratifying part is that I know I’m making a difference.  Some of them don’t fully speak English so giving them the opportunity to learn for free in a safe environment is so amazing.  They often tell me all about their lives and I get to get close to them and their parents over the time of the course.  It’s so interesting to hear their stories and help them prepare for the upcoming year, so they don’t fall behind their peers because they haven’t had the same opportunities to know English or can’t afford tutors.”