Northampton Community College students are working through their student organizations to make a difference for people — all people — through a variety of humanitarian efforts, both locally and on a worldwide scale.
TEAM Act 101 is a group comprising students enrolled in NCC s Project AWARE/Act 101 program. The goal of the program is to provide students from varied backgrounds with counseling, cultural enrichment, and student leadership development. In return, the students work together to help people in need.
The group raised more than $3,000 to buy medical supplies for residents of Comarca El Canon, a remote area of Managua, Nicaragua. Rather than simply sending the money, the group wanted to “”let the people know we care.”" Then-president of the student organization, Steve Rivera, personally delivered the funds to Nicaragua and spent a week working with Nicaraguan students and doctors at a medical clinic set up by a volunteer team of students and faculty from Northampton Community College.
Rivera describes the deplorable conditions of the residents of the area, and says “”the ultimate goal is to enable the people to become self-sufficient.”" The money raised by TEAM Act 101 was used to vaccinate children at risk for malaria and other parasitic diseases, ensuring the next generation has a chance to move toward self-sufficiency.
TEAM Act 101 organized and completed a successful Carnation and Sweetheart Drive, the proceeds of which were sent to victims of the recent earthquakes in Colombia. This past October, students ran a clothing and money drive for the Caribbean victims of Hurricanes Georges and Mitch. In recognition of their effort, the Red Cross sent the group an invitation to a private reception in 1999. Jose Aponte, Vice-President of International Services of the American Red Cross, will be present to thank the NCC students for their aid.
TEAM Act 101 has also given back to the College community. Members have assisted with fund-raising to create a scholarship honoring Blanca Smith, a counselor at NCC, who recently retired. All monies the group raised at NCC s recent Family Day Expo event were given directly to the Blanca Smith Scholarship Fund, which aids minority students with financial need.
For more information: cbrady {at} northampton(.)edu
Act 101 web site: http://www.northampton.edu/office/st_services/act101/act101.htm
