The Becker Career Center recently announced the recipients of the community service internships at non-profit organizations this summer. They are:
Class of 1973 Community Service Internship Funding Recipients
An endowed internship supported by the Class of 1973 in honor of their 35th Class Reunion
Carolyn Doty ’18
Community Autism Resources, Gottschall Access Program in Swansea, Mass.
Doty, a neuroscience major, will be working with a program that provides young adults with autism with internship experiences and vocational and social skills training in a community college environment. This will allow them to establish a career in a mentally stimulating environment. She said: “I would ultimately like to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology to prepare me to work directly with diagnoses and formulating treatment plans for the unique needs of individuals with autism. This internship will allow me to transfer the skills I have acquired to a program that is pioneering innovative approaches to prepare people with autism for rewarding careers and is accessible for families who cannot afford other services.”
Christina Dykas ’18
Cape Cod WIC, Health Imperatives, Inc. in Hyannis/Brockton, Mass.
Dykas, a biology major, will be working in an area that is truly a passion for her: women’s health. Christina will be providing educational programs for prenatal women on breastfeeding and assisting with lactation support for postpartum women, in addition to providing low-income food packages at farmer’s markets to help at risk individuals afford local, healthy food options. She wrote: “Based on my educational experiences and my future career goals of becoming a midwife, my internship this summer is a perfect way for me to understand the postpartum care aspect in an at risk population of women and infants. I feel so deeply passionate about this field and I cannot wait to learn from the individuals around me and share the knowledge I have gained from Union.”
Matthew Liquori ‘18
Joan Nicole Prince Home in Scotia, N.Y.
Liquori, a biology major, will be providing medical and comfort care for terminally ill residents, with a prognosis of three months or less, who do not have the means to remain at home during their final days of life. By working full-time at the home this summer, he will have an opportunity to provide care during the most needed times. He wrote: "Working at the Joan Nicole Prince home will be a step outside my comfort zone, but one that I think can help solidify my desire to attend medical school. While this work will undoubtedly be challenging at times, I look forward to positively impacting the lives of the residents in some of their most difficult days."
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mohammad A. Omar ’94 Memorial, Community Service Internship Funding Recipient
An endowed internship supported by alumni of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Chrissy Craig ‘19
Bethany Apartments in Racine, Wis.
Craig, a political science and psychology major, will be supporting women and children at a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse. She hopes to work in an advocacy role in the future. She wrote: “This hands-on experience working with the survivors will be extremely valuable in my future as I will gain many new skills and look to narrow my focus for my career pursuits.”
Roger H. Hull Summer Community Service Internship Funding Recipient
An endowed internship supported by the Board of Trustees
Meghan Reilly ‘20
Special Olympics New York in Schenectady, N.Y.
The Special Olympics New York works with over 60,000 athletes in an effort to promote understanding and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Reilly, a classics major, will be helping to organize and attend competitions which help build confidence and character in the athletes. An exciting component is that the State Summer Games will be hosted in the Capital Region this June. She wrote: “My dream is to do something that is fulfilling in ways that money cannot provide. This internship may inspire me to pursue a career working with nonprofits, or even inspire me to start my own organization. The possibilities are endless, and working here will help narrow down what my future career will entail.”