Learning about the Bronx: Hands on Education

Last year, I took a service learning class. This means that every other week, I met with about 15 students and Professor Jeanne Hill-Fletcher to discuss social justice in the Bronx. In addition to the class readings and 2 papers, we all volunteered at various locations throughout the Bronx to understand the history of the Bronx, why the Bronx is the way it is today, and what community leaders are doing to help make the Bronx an even better place. For my community partner, I chose CitySquash. CitySquash is an organization 4 blocks from Fordham that works with 130 elementary, middle school, and high school students after school. The program includes, "squash, tutoring, mentoring, community service, travel, culture, high school placement, employment training and college prep. CitySquash begins working with students in third grade and serves them through college graduation." Fordham University allows CitySquash to use our squash courts for practice and our classrooms for tutoring. Fordham students volunteer to help out with practice and serve as tutors and mentors.

For my first semester, I tutored twice a week. I worked with mostly middle school students on various homework assignments. I got to learn about their classes, their families, and squash. Many of them had siblings they had to take care of. Anytime they went away for a squash tournament, they had to right a thank you not to their host family. The kids had a real understanding for gratitude. After my service learning class ended, I decided to continue working with CitySquash. I started helping out in the office in addition to tutoring. I recorded the attendance and behavioral reports. If you don't show up to tutoring or if you misbehave, it affects your tournament schedule. The kids know that they have to get good grades and be respectful if they want to play squash. This year, I am tutoring in a group session once a week as well as working in one-on-one tutoring. Every Monday I work with Maria. We're currently reading a book about the Fast Food industry. Every Wednesday, I go to the office and work with Markel. He's a ninth grader and is currently trying out for his school's basketball team (and featured on a CitySquash post card)!

I have had an amazing experience with CitySquash. For someone who gets so wrapped up in clubs and organizations on campus, it's nice to be able to do something that benefits my community. CitySquash is only one of hundreds of organizations where Fordham kids volunteer. Walk in to the Dorothy Day Center and they'll pair you up with any kind of organization you can think of. The people that work at CitySquash, like the other volunteer opportunities at Fordham, are passionate about what they do and it reminds me that that's what I want out of my job after college.