As a first year bonner, I had the opportunity to take a week long service trip over spring break. We went to New York City, and worked with an organization called YSOP. It was my first time in New York, and my first time in a big city. This trip holds some of the greatest memories I made, during college. I was able to grow closer with my best friends, build friendships with peers I did not know very well, and begin relationships with people I would never see again. Through YSOP, I worked with several different organizations to serve people in the boroughs of New York City. I worked in several places serving meals, and I also worked in daycare center for children of single parents that cannot afford child care.
View from my room.
First picture in NYC.
This experience gave me an opportunity to serve people in a community very different than mine. I had never seen poverty affect such a large group of people, so that was eye-opening to say the least. On our last night in New York, we worked with a couple of other volunteer groups to prepare and eat dinner with a group of men. This group of men had experienced many obstacles, and some of them had not made great decisions in their life. They were living in a shelter that helped them find jobs and become independent again. We were able to have a meal and play games with these gentlemen. Some of them shared their stories with us, and they were all so appreciative of the work we had put into preparing the meal. This dinner was probably my favorite part of service in New York.
There was plenty of time to explore the city while we were there, and this was very exciting for me. I had never experienced a huge city, and there were so many different places to see and visit. I was able to do all this with some of my best friends, and I was able to form new friendships with some of the other students. There were many great experiences, and I will never forget them.