New Initiative Brings Students, Community Together

Elmira, NY (10/10/2019) — Elmira College's incoming class participated in a new initiative, "First Year, First Service," on Sunday, September 29, 2019. The community service initiative is designed to bring first year students together while helping them learn more about the Elmira community.

"The First Year, First Service event is off to a wonderful start," said Rebecca Johnson, EC FYFS coordinator and assistant professor of education. "We are so impressed with the number of students who turned out on an early Sunday morning to give back to the Elmira community."

For 2019, the College partnered with Elmira Downtown Development for a morning of community service in the downtown area. EC students and employees helped paint picnic tables in Wisner Park, wash windows for downtown businesses, and do general downtown cleanup like weeding and trash pickup. Those participating wore the One Team, One Elmira, One Community t-shirts, symbolizing the unity and synergy between the College and greater Elmira community.

"The event was incredibly successful in building a bridge between the downtown community and the college," added Johnson. "It was great to see the pride the students felt when community members or business owners thanked them for their work."

"The students did an amazing job cleaning up the downtown district, while also connecting with the community," said Jennifer Herrick-McGonigal, Elmira Downtown Development's executive director. "The goal of the EDD is to get students more acquainted with downtown and learn about different businesses and destinations. Activities like this make students feel more welcome, which helps bring more students to our downtown establishments and cultural partners. One team, One Elmira, One Community is an incredible first step in real collaboration with the City of Elmira and EDD looks forward to partnering with EC in the future."

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