Go New Ro 2013: Final Day!

Although we were tired from yesterday's service sites and many activities, we all came energized for our final day.

After meeting with some Iona administrators during breakfast, the whole "Go New Ro crew" headed up to St. Joseph's Care Facility to meet with many of the retired Christian Brothers for the Go New Ro Project Bro. The students were all inspired by the gracious welcome we received from the Brothers but also their insights and wisdom from many years of service. Hopefully these Go New Ro'ers will join the ranks of the many Iona students who visit St. Joseph's with Mission & Ministry's Project Bro during the year.

We transitioned from engaging in service to discussing servant leadership with President Nyre, Iona College's  Eighth President, in the Charter Room. It was an amazing experience, and privilege, for these incoming freshmen to meet with President Nyre and learn more about his own servant leadership style and how service is at the heart of Iona's mission and character.

                                       Go New Ro'ers with Dr. Nyre in the Charter Room

The Go New Ro experience is not complete without the final lunch at Posto 22 in downtown New Rochelle.  Each of the four Iona in Mission: Go New Ro programs have supported this local business, which also owns the Avenue Deli and Gemelli's, to be good neighbors but also show the Go New Ro'ers the importance of local business...plus the great food doesn't make the decision difficult!

From Posto 22 we then moved to the New Rochelle City Hall to meet with Councilman Jared Rice. We discussed the various development projects in the City of New Rochelle, the relationship between Iona students and our local neighbors, civic engagement, and how to get involved in New Rochelle as students. Councilman Rice generously took time out of his busy schedule to meet with our Go New Ro group and our gratitude cannot be expressed enough.

                                  Go New Ro'ers with Councilman Jared Rice at City Hall

To conclude Go New Ro 2013 we gathered in the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel for the "Ignite our Spirit" Mass with Fr. Frank Dixon celebrating and Jeanne McDermott leading the make-shift choir. Although the air conditioning was not working (FYI it was not cold outside either) it was a great way to give thanks for the various experiences serving, learning to lead, and building community that comprised the 2013 Iona in Mission: Go New Ro experience.

I can't wait to see these nineteen amazingly gifted young adults take the Iona community by storm this fall as they bring their desire to serve and lead. They impressed all of us and truly walk in the footsteps of Bl. Edmund Rice.  Certa Bonum Certamen: Fight the Good Fight!

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Go New Ro 2013: Second Day

On Thursday the "Go New Ro Crew" continued their journey of leadership and service!

Both groups were treated to a tour of New Rochelle, visiting jewels of the community Like Glen Island and the Library Green.  They also learned about New Rochelle's rich 325 year history, famous New Rochelle residents like Lou Gehrig and Norman Rockwell, and the history of some of our buildings like City Hall, New Rochelle's first high school and many buildings in New Rochelle's downtown.

                                                            Students at Glen Island

They also spend the mornings at either the Adult Learning Center teaching English or at Trinity-St.Paul's Church making 60 bagged lunches to serve to New Rochelle's neediest residents.  It is powerful to see the difference you can make in just a morning of service to our fellow men and women.

To bring our work to an even deeper level, Professor Ilene Haspel from Iona's Social Work department led a discussion about social justice and privilege to further our understanding of the work we do and why it is needed.  The Go New Ro students participated in a "Privilege Line," which can be very hard for some people to experience.  However, our students utilized the experience to engage in a discussion that shed light on some challenging societal structures and how we can work to provide more access to those who need it through both service and advocacy.

In the afternoon half of our students travelled to either the Shakespeare Garden in New Rochelle's Davenport Park, working with the New Rochelle Garden Club to weed and clean the garden.  The other half travelled to Project Family Soup Kitchen in Mt. Vernon to serve those in need in a neighboring city. Project Family is one of Mission and Ministry's regular service projects, so this was a great opportunity to introduce the Go New Ro team to a way they can continue their service to the community in the fall.

We finished the day with two important programs.  First, the Go New Ro students got to "find their footing" in an interactive session learning about leadership and involvement at Iona from five of Iona's top student leader: Trista Rivera, Brian Pristash, Matt Harrigan, Mike Foti, and Caitlyn O'Toole.  The Go New Ro students got to learn about their leadership journeys and benefit from a question and answer period.

Then we all participated in a wonderful Iona tradition, our own version of Mission and Ministry's Coffee House.  Every member of the Go New Ro team stepped out of our comfort zones to share our own unique gifts and talents.  Some of our talents included Irish step dancing, singing, reading poetry acting, and even reciting our US President's in order from memory (forward and backward).  Look out world, this group's got the goods!  It's a great day to be a Gael!

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Go New Ro 2013: First Day!

 June 26, 2013

Go New Ro has finally arrived!

Today nineteen freshmen arrived for the Iona in Mission: Go New Ro 2013 program.  They have come all across the United States (Florida, California, Texas, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York) to begin their Iona careers engaging in service, developing leadership skills, reflecting on social justice, and deepening their understanding of citizenship. What a group they are!  The students are lively, engaged, very intelligent, committed to faith and service...truly great Gaels in the making.

We began our time together by breaking the ice and building our newly formed community. After the ice was broken we began to look at why we are participating in Go New Ro and to look at the foundations of our program. The Two Feet of Social Justice was introduced as our way of thinking about service, social justice, and community engagement.  By using each of the two equal feet of direct-service and advocacy (leadership) we are able to walk balanced and effectively. We also examined the mission statements of Iona College, the Office of Mission and Ministry, and the Office of Off-Campus Housing to ground us in the vision of Iona.

The group also hosted a Hospitality Supper at the Mission & Ministry House of Hospitality, which is a staple of the Iona experience.  Every Thursday evening a student organization hosts a free dinner where all are welcome...this time our Go New Ro'ers hosted for upper-class peers and Iona College staff.  Carl Procario-Foley, the director of Mission and Ministry, co-led our Hospitality reflection with our great student leaders Areini and Kate Ann.  We were asked to put ourselves in other people's shoes by throwing our own shoes in the circle and imagining the lives of Matthew at the soup kitchen, a recent immigrant learning English at the Ursuline Outreach Center, and Br. Damian a retired Christian Brother at the St. Joseph's Care Facility.  I can't think of a better way to start this program by coming together as an inclusive community gathered to share food and also call to mind our brothers and sisters on the margins of society.

Lastly, we were asked to reflect on our leadership style and given an amazing foundation in leadership theory by the Office of Student Development's Jason Gloe and Lauren Zanfardino.  The students examined their values, split into groups for a leadership exercise, and set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based).

Pictures below: 

Go New Ro'ers hard at work collaborating on building largest tower activity to "win a bid for Habitat Humanity contract..."  How do we communicate, listen, delegate, share, and creatively think?

 

Signing off until tomorrow...tune in to hear about the service projects and other activities the day will bring!  

             Peace, 

          Stephen Hill, Coordinator of Iona in Mission

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to Know the Leaders!

                                                                                                                 

Name: Areini Arzu

Birthday: November 6th

Involvement: 

President of Students of Caribbean Ancestry, National Student Speech & Hearing Language Association Club, CSTEP, Edmund Rice Society, The College Council for Diversity, UPA 13'-14'

Hobbies: Running, Nature Walks, and Shopping

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?
I was apart of the first Go New Ro here at Iona, and it had such a great impact on both my involvement and spiritual growth here on campus. I was introduced to both service projects and great friends. I met my roommates at Go New Ro, I went on my first midnight run and I was able to tour the town on New Rochelle. I’m very excited to be apart of this journey again with the new coming participants.

Favorite Thing About Iona?
Thanksgiving Day Parade in New Rochelle.

Favorite Iona Tradition?
Culture Feast during Weeks of Welcome, all the diversity come together with food and music.

Favorite Thing To Do in New Rochelle?
I like to eat at Applebees, (which is on the meal card) then go watch a movie in New Roc City; it’s very fun with a group of friends.

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to Know the Leaders!

Name: Michele Nelson                                                                          

Birthday:  March 8th 

Position at Iona:  

Director of Off-Campus Housing

Hobbies: 

Dancing, listening to music, and trying to cook new recipes...I emphasize trying!

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?

This will be my fourth Iona in Mission: Go New Ro!  I have participated each year because my office is focused on helping students transition successfully as citizens into the greater New Rochelle community.  Go New Ro helps nurture young student leaders who understand their rights as members of a community and their responsibility to give back!  I also love showing incoming students all that makes New Rochelle so special!

Favorite Thing about Iona?

My favorite thing about Iona is all of the amazing professionals that I work with who love to help students succeed at Iona and in life!  It’s a wonderful, collaborative environment. 

Favorite Iona Tradition?

Aside from Go New Ro....I love Make a Difference Week…an annual week of service early in the fall semester!

Favorite Thing to do in New Rochelle?

I love going for walks by Glen Island, a beautiful Westchester County park that is right on the Long Island Sound.  As a matter of fact, I love all of our parks along the water including Hudson Park and Five Islands Park!  

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to Know the Leaders!

Name:  Kate Ann Gonta                                                 

Birthday: April 13^th

Position at Iona: Go-New-Ro Student Leader

Hobbies: Listening to music, Reading books, taking Road Trips and I may be slightly addicted to Candy Crush =)

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?  I participated in Go New Ro the summer coming into my freshman year at Iona because I wanted to get involved at Iona as quickly as possible.  I’m so happy I was a part of this great program.  It was so beneficial to me because I met two girls who would not only turn out to me my freshman year roommates but also my best friends.  I also helped the less fortunate and I learned how it felt to become part of a team.  I wanted to lead Go New Ro this summer because I can’t wait to welcome the incoming freshman and be a role model to them.  I’m looking forward to being able to welcome them to the Iona community and become a family.   I hope to give them the same experience that I had while participating in Go-New-Ro. 

Favorite Thing about Iona? Without a doubt the Pipe Band!

Favorite Iona Tradition?  Coffee House hosted by Mission & Ministry every semester!

Favorite Thing to do in New Rochelle? I love to go to Glen Island.  It is a great place to walk around and just relax.  It also has a great view of the long Island sound!

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to know the leaders!

Name: Steve Hill                                                                     

 

Birthday:  February 28^th 

Position at Iona:  

Coordinator, Iona in Mission 

Hobbies: 

Being a diehard Yankees fan; cooking…eating; walking; listening to public radio; reading anything and everything 

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?

This will be my first Go New Ro as well!  I look back to a very similar program I did as freshman at Fordham and see how that was the transformative spark of my college life. I learned about the local community, fell in love with service, and began feeling at home in college.  I am so passionate about Go New Ro, because I can see the impact on the participants as they become leaders and do-ers at Iona. 

Favorite Thing about Iona?

Hands down, the Make a Difference Week Kickball Game between the Best Buddies and Success Center children.  We have the Pipe Band, an MC, the Dance Team and Cheerleaders and the participants and crowd have a blast enjoying an old fashion kickball game. 

Favorite Iona Tradition?

The Pipe Band! 

Favorite Thing to do in New Rochelle?

I love eating at Posto 22, which is a great local Italian restaurant that you will experience too.

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