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| Hasta Luego Miami - En Route Back to New York. |
NOLA, 2012
Students visiting with 3 Christian Brothers
Zambia, 2012
Rob Droel '12 with the Christian Brothers
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 7 Reflections
"As an education major, this trip has given me great experience for my future in teaching. I learned many different lessons from this mission trip. I learned from each member of my team how strong the bond can be between people with all different personalities. I also learned a lot from each of the students that I spoke/worked with. The most important lesson that I learned is that life is so much about the little things."
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." (Robert Brault)
"Everyone should participate in an Iona in Mission trip-it will change your life. It only takes one hello or one smile to make a difference!"
Maureen McGovern '12
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 7
While heading to our gate in the Miami airport, we noticed a Best Buddies sign hanging in the terminal. This is an organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We were very excited to see that Best Buddies is a global initiative and is making an impact in the world. Click here to learn more out getting involved with Iona's Best Buddies Program.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 6
"Going to Miami with Iona in Mission was a life changing experience. After this experience, I will look at life in a completely different way. I believe we have all learned that it is important to be grateful for what you have because there are others out there who do not even eat everyday. Many of us take what we have for granted and do not appreciate everything we have.
Everyone has the power to make a difference! Going on a trip with Iona in Mission gives you a greater power to make a difference. Whether it is simply putting a smile on a child’s face or by serving lunch to the hungry at the Camillus House, we all have the power to make a difference!"
-Kayla Whelan '12
Everyone has the power to make a difference! Going on a trip with Iona in Mission gives you a greater power to make a difference. Whether it is simply putting a smile on a child’s face or by serving lunch to the hungry at the Camillus House, we all have the power to make a difference!"
-Kayla Whelan '12
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 6
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| Working on an activity with the Archbishop Curley Notre Dame (ACND) middle school students. |
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 6
Camillus House
"The last day of my Miami trip I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camillus House in downtown Miami. The Camillus House is a non-profit organization founded by the Good Shepard Brothers and provides shelter, showers, clothing and substance abuse programs to the homeless. With my past experience co-coordinating the Midnight Run on campus, I was able to use my gifts and talents to provide a hospitable environment for individuals suffering from homelessness. It was a moving experience to be a part of. I met wonderful people. I felt blessed that I had the opportunity to help those less fortunate than myself and witness the enduring power of the human condition."
-Flo Maroney '12
"The last day of my Miami trip I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camillus House in downtown Miami. The Camillus House is a non-profit organization founded by the Good Shepard Brothers and provides shelter, showers, clothing and substance abuse programs to the homeless. With my past experience co-coordinating the Midnight Run on campus, I was able to use my gifts and talents to provide a hospitable environment for individuals suffering from homelessness. It was a moving experience to be a part of. I met wonderful people. I felt blessed that I had the opportunity to help those less fortunate than myself and witness the enduring power of the human condition."
-Flo Maroney '12
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 5
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| Trista and Megan- both well-rounded athletes! |
Sharing the Gael story...Trista Rivera '14, spoke with ACND student, Megan Romanik. Trista is on the Iona Women's Soccer team, while Megan is aspiring to play softball in college.
They talked about the college recruiting process and the student-athlete lifestyle (perhaps as a Gael...).
-Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 5
The middle school students invited the IIM team to watch their presentations. Listening to them explain a song, the symbolism and metaphors was impressive. One student presented "We are the World" which was particularly moving as she shared her experience of the earthquake.
Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 5
Today is the second year anniversary of the Haitian earthquake and we commemorated with a prayer service. Iona Students served as Eucharistic Ministers, setting up and ushering.
-Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
-Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
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| Brother Ford reminding us to hold close to our hearts our brothers and sisters in Haiti |
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 5
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| ACND Celine Wassaf, senior shares her story with the team as they fold programs for the service |
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 4
Tonight we enjoyed Cuban food at Versailles Restaurant in "Little Havana." We met an Iona alumnus while at dinner- Gaels always seem to find another! The students surprised me by sending me a fake birthday cake-candle and all! They sang Feliz Cumpleanos like pros!
-Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 4
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Today we spent our day off doing many great group activities. We went to the beach, enjoyed bikes on South Beach, drank authentic Cuban coffee and toured the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. -Tiffany DiNome Coordinator, Iona in Mission |
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 3
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| Jessica Velesco '14 and Lisamarie Estrada '12 (student leader) Jessica Velesco '14 (alumnus of ACND) shares her Filipino culture with the IIM team. The delicious dinner was yet another "first" for our team!! The generosity and hospitality is remarkable! Thanks Jess! -Tiffany DiNome Coordinator, Iona in Mission |
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 3
Connecting the pieces...
The bonds are getting stronger! Whether it is the members of the IIM team with each other, the wonderful students at ACND and alumni-we are all different pieces to a big puzzle!-Maureen McGovern '12
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 3
Today Br. Jason Ford showed the team a photo slide show from the Haiti earthquake-- the photos were shocking and moving. ACND accepted with open arms 35 Haitian students on full scholarship (from an anonymous donor) who enrolled after the tragic earth quake. The ACND community was well equipped to educate and support the students with a large Haitian community already part of the ACND family.
Iona IIM team will assist in the commemoration on the anniversary of the horrific earthquake January 12, 2012. Let us all remember to keep Haiti in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to rebuild.
-Sanjay Singh '15 and Jessica Velesco '14
(ACND alumni and current students at Iona)
Iona IIM team will assist in the commemoration on the anniversary of the horrific earthquake January 12, 2012. Let us all remember to keep Haiti in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to rebuild.
-Sanjay Singh '15 and Jessica Velesco '14
(ACND alumni and current students at Iona)
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 3
Here I am in what feels like paradise with the warm sun on my face, wind at my back and an empowering feeling of purpose rushing over me like a pipeline wave. Its been three days since my arrival to Miami and the experience has been great. Like many other trips I have begun to take time to reflect on the ever changing season know as life.
At Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High school I have been lucky to interact with the bright future of American Society. Many of these young adults are immigrants or the product of immigrants and I cannot help but think of the trials and tribulations my relatives overcame when they also traveled to a new land carrying nothing but hopes and dreams.
Though most of the students are of Haitian or Cuban descent, one cannot help but experience the strength of the human condition among the halls of this school in paradise. Having the opportunity to interact with the students, I have been able to learn the cultural traditions they hold dear and instill in them the hope that one day the future will allow them to dream with the sky as the limit.
This morning I met a student athlete raising money for his sports team. I gave him a five dollar bill for a dollar's worth of candy. The expression of gratitude that overwhelmed his adolescent face will remain with me for years to come.
I am grateful that as an Iona student I am blessed to have had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these adolescents.
-Flo Maroney '12
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
At Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High school I have been lucky to interact with the bright future of American Society. Many of these young adults are immigrants or the product of immigrants and I cannot help but think of the trials and tribulations my relatives overcame when they also traveled to a new land carrying nothing but hopes and dreams.
Though most of the students are of Haitian or Cuban descent, one cannot help but experience the strength of the human condition among the halls of this school in paradise. Having the opportunity to interact with the students, I have been able to learn the cultural traditions they hold dear and instill in them the hope that one day the future will allow them to dream with the sky as the limit.
This morning I met a student athlete raising money for his sports team. I gave him a five dollar bill for a dollar's worth of candy. The expression of gratitude that overwhelmed his adolescent face will remain with me for years to come.
I am grateful that as an Iona student I am blessed to have had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these adolescents.
-Flo Maroney '12
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 2
Greetings from Miami! The morning started off with an official tour of Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School. Everyone was so welcoming with either a smile or a hand shake. After the tour we were paired off and assisted in various classrooms, sharing our talents and Iona experiences!
During a lunch break we enjoyed the beautiful Miami weather with some High School students. We joined in on their soccer game to show them our skills. Two key players were Iona students Maureen McGovern (as goalie) and Katie Diesu who scored the winning goal. We overheard ACND student say, "this is the best day ever, I wish it wouldn't end!”
Once we finished up at the school, we came home and had a group reflection about our experience thus far. This reflection was filled with laughter and tears. We then had a few minutes of down time to re-energize before 5:30 mass.
Our team enjoyed a nice bonding session before a delicious dinner prepared by Br. Ford. We then ended the night over a game of cards. Stay tuned for more updates!
-Kayla Whelan '12 and Trista Rivera '14
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Miami Trip - Day 1
Today, we began our mission-focused journey to Miami, FL...
Fr. Frank dropped us off at the airport at 7:00 am and the flight was quick and uneventful trip (lots of sleeping). We arrived safely to the Miami airport and were welcomed by Br. Jason Ford '01 and Robert Droel '12.
Fr. Frank dropped us off at the airport at 7:00 am and the flight was quick and uneventful trip (lots of sleeping). We arrived safely to the Miami airport and were welcomed by Br. Jason Ford '01 and Robert Droel '12.
After we got our luggage, Br. Ford and Robert brought us to Corpus Christi Chali’s Casa, in the “Little Haiti” district to get settled into our bunkbed-style rooms. Slightly famished from the morning flight, we headed to Al Sabor Peru for lunch. Everyone loved the authentic Peruvian food: Chaufa vegetales (vegetable fried rice); mango juice and deep fried chicken-yummy! After lunch, we went to Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School. Mr. Douglas Romanick, vice principal for Advancement, walked us through the steps of “Protecting God’s Children” in Virtus training.
With the directions of Br. Ford and Br. Tim, we then made our way to Lincoln Road. This is a section of Miami Beach that is lively and has a very colorful and diverse culture of people. We walked along the beach and jumped in the water as if for the first time!
The evening concluded with a reflection using the Starfish poem on how we can all make a difference this week, no matter how small. Collectively, the students shared that “Today was amazing! We were all very nervous about this experience, but once we arrived in Florida we knew we are going to have a great trip and we would work together as a team! We are all looking forward to the rest of our journey through Miami with our brand new family.”
-Tiffany DiNome
-Tiffany DiNome
Coordinator, Iona in Mission
Friday, January 6, 2012
Iona in Mission (IIM): Winter Trips 2012
This Sunday, January 8, 21 members of the Iona College Community will serve on Iona in Mission Nazareth Farm team will work in the Appalachian Mountains on home repair and learn firsthand the meaning of Catholic Social Teaching. The IIM Miami team will work closely with the Christian Brothers at Curley Notre Dame High School and with recent Haitian immigrants. Stay tuned for online reflections on these trips.
