By Regina Stracqualursi ’15
More than a hundred students lived Siena’s Franciscan mission on Monday by spending their day off from classes participating in the College’s second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The effort was part of a national movement that inspires people across the country to honor King’s vision by devoting time on the holiday to serve people in need.
Lydie Kengme ’14 brought the event to Siena last year as a “senior legacy” project. This year, the day was organized and coordinated by fellow Bonner Service Leaders George Lopez ’15 and Kelly Finn ’16.
“We are so thankful that [Lydie] brought an awesome event like this to campus and we hope to continue this event year after year,” said Finn. “Our hope is that more and more students will be drawn to a day of service in which they get to put the mission of the college to action.”
Students from Albany High School, Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls, and Green Tech High Charter School joined the Siena community members in helping their neighbors in need.
The volunteers gathered in the morning and were sent to one of eleven different community partner sites. These sites included the Unity House of Troy, Capital Roots, St. Charles Center, Mercy House, Ronald McDonald House, Damien Center, Grand Street Community Arts, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, Regional Food Bank, Capital City Rescue Mission and Albany Barn.
“The day was very fulfilling and I walked away feeling rejuvenated,” said Ann Ward ’15. She spent the day at the Regional Food Bank organizing donations for distribution. The Regional Food strives to meet the basic food needs of all people in the local community. “Coming together with other Siena students who are interested in fighting for a world where social justice is a priority was a rewarding experience,” Ward said.
As an event coordinator, Lopez was unable to spend the day at one specific service site, but he had the opportunity to attend a session at the Damien Center in Albany, a center for people who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
“It was very powerful. Students from Green Tech High Charter School spoke to the community members, sharing the impact of the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Lopez. “Hearing the variety of people sharing their experiences with one shared vision was truly special.”
The Black and Latino Student Union and Office of Academic Community Engagement organized Siena’s participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
