This summer, 17 Upper School students partnered with local organizations to serve as Community Engagement Fellows. This annual Public Purpose program at RCDS invites students to propose, design, and implement innovative, purpose-driven projects that address the needs of their selected organizations. The result is meaningful summer volunteer opportunities that foster ongoing community connections and encourage active citizenship.  

To prepare, the fellows participated in seminars led by Director of Public Purpose Rebecca Drago and fellowship program Co-Directors Tatum Bell and Tammy McKenna. After examining the concept of service in a modern-day context, students spent time defining their fellowship goals and project action plans. 

Energized by the seminar and supported by their faculty mentors, the fellows spent the summer in the community, implementing their projects with their partner organizations. Projects ranged from building ESL and technology classes for adults and seniors to teaching children’s music enrichment classes and building sensory rooms for youth in the foster care system.

Community partners included, among others, the Don Bosco Center in Port Chester, Eastchester Community Action Partnership, Co-Op Camp in Mamaroneck, and Fairgate Farm in Stamford, CT. 

Read more about the 2023 Community Engagement Fellows and their projects.