Some ideas to help you write “Your Story”:What is your site name and where is it located?What is your role at the site?Who do you serve at your site?  Who uses the services?What do you enjoy about this work?How has this experience challenged you?What are your hopes for the year and the future?How does this experience relate to your academic, career, or personal goals? 

The Start of a Dream Come True By: Melanie Hernandez

Since I was sixteen, I’ve been stuck in the never-ending cycle of fast food employment. Franchise after franchise, restaurant after restaurant, supermarket after supermarket, all the while, seeking a professional employment. Unfortunately, I never got an interview. During my last few days at BMCC (currently part of the Lehman cohort), I was approached by a student who was handing out flyers for the CUNY Service Corps. That was the moment when my dreams would finally come true.

After the selection process I was finally placed at New York Cares, Inc. as a Service Events Planner. New York Cares, Inc. is the largest volunteer management agency in New York, serving millions of New Yorkers every year.

My first day at the office was unforgettable as I was granted my very own desk, complete with my own computer, file cabinet, phone, and everything else a desk should have. After settling down, I was then given the freedom to choose what I wanted to work on and at what pace, which was never an option working in the food industry. My manager quickly began to see how much potential I have, so she decided to grant me my very own events to plan.

My first event was the most memorable thus far. It was a Christmas party for a domestic violence shelter in the lower east side area of Manhattan. Since I can relate so closely to the children that would benefit from this event, I took the project very personally. I had every child receive their very own Christmas tree that they would decorate with handmade ornaments, Christmas lights, and decorative garland. The volunteers who worked my event also had “Santa” bring the children and mothers gifts. Everyone was so overwhelmed and surprised that tears ran down the mom’s faces uncontrollably. Each family was able to have their very own custom Christmas tree and donated presents in their rooms for Christmas.

Being a CUNY Service Corps Intern has given me the opportunity to finally make a true difference in the lives of my fellow underprivileged New Yorkers, while also allowing me to develop my professional skills in a non-profit environment. All of my co-workers and co-interns are very inspiring and helpful. There is never a day at New York Cares, Inc. that I am not shouting out the CUNY Service Corps for getting me there.