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University Launches Project to Advance Community-Supported Agriculture
Barry University has launched a project to advance community-supported agriculture. Named Barry FairShare, the project will be focused initially on providing locally sourced organic produce to campus.
The Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) has developed the project in partnership with Urban GreenWorks, a local environmental and food-access organization whose Cerasee Farm is located in Liberty
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in Barry FairShare by purchasing produce harvested from farms in neighborhoods near the university’s main campus.
“Participants may purchase a full share or a half share of assorted fruits, vegetables, and herbs sourced from a cooperative of South Florida farmers,” explained Ashton Spangler, an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member serving as project coordinator. “All produce is non-certified organic and harvested from sustainable small farms.”
Spangler, who is coordinating the project with support from the Barry Service Corps fellows on the Urban Health social justice team, said Barry FairShare purchases will provide revenue directly to local farmers. The project, she added, will also encourage healthy eating among young people and support efforts to eradicate food deserts in low-income neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County, including Liberty City and Little Haiti.
Barry students will contribute to the harvesting, marketing, and distribution of the produce primarily through the Barry Service Corps.
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Volleyball Team Engages in Collaborative Service in the Everglades
Barry University’s Volleyball Team ventured into Shark Valley recently to lend a hand in preserving the Florida Everglades. The Buccaneers took to the trails to help remove an invasive plant known as syngonium, AKA the arrowhead plant, that has been detrimental to other forms of wildlife in that area.
"It was a great team-building experience for us to come out and support the community as we continue to use the Barry mission in our daily lives," Head Volleyball Coach Steve Hendricks said.
"This trip to the Everglades mirrors our mission as Barry
Joining the Bucs on the community service trip were Provost John D. Murray and daughter Kate.
"Barry has four core commitments: collaborative service, social justice, inclusive community, and knowledge and truth,” Murray noted. “And today was all about the collaborative service piece."
Murray added: "Being in one of the most beautiful places on earth and working with each other to serve the world is such a meaningful experience. I asked the [team members] today … to think about the opportunities Barry has given them and how these experiences will shape them into who they want to be when they leave."
Once spanning more than 11 million acres, the Everglades now covers 1.5 million acres, stretching over the southern part of Florida. Changes to the
The Nature Conservancy and other programs such as the Shark Valley Tours continue to work together to help preserve one of America's greatest landscapes as they have done for the past five decades.
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Award-Winning Softball Team Remains Active in the Community
The Barry University Softball Team remains committed to collaborative service in the community and demonstrated that commitment by engaging in several service projects last semester.
Among the projects were two days of service at Camillus House and a Holiday Food Drive.
"We have always encouraged our student-athletes to be successful on the field, in the classroom, and within the community," Head Coach Danielle Penner said. "In addition to demonstrating the BarryU core values of collaborative service and social justice, community service activities offer our students … the opportunities to learn valuable life skills and be engaged, positive members of our university and Miami-Dade communities.”
In October, the service-award-winning team spent two days volunteering at Camillus House, a humanitarian service facility in Miami. For senior Cheyanne Head, it was “an extremely humbling and rewarding experience."
Expressing similar sentiments, senior Jasmine Harris noted that the people whom team members served at Camillus House were grateful. She said such experiences inspired student-athletes “to make a difference in our community."
The team organized the Holiday Food Drive, collecting over $250 worth of food and bedding. The items were donated to benefit some of Miami’s homeless people.
"It is important that we work hard and make a positive difference in our communities," Penner said. "Collecting food during the holidays on behalf of those less fortunate is … an important reminder for us to be grateful for our many blessings. I am proud of our team and their efforts to improve our community."
The Softball Team has always been a leader in community service among Buccaneer student-athletes. Over the years, the team has won or shared a record eight Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin Service Awards and last year was a winner of the Community Impact Award presented by the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI).
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Barry’s Martin Luther King. Jr. Day of Service was a Family Affair
On Barry’s MLK Day of Service, volunteers participated in projects at six Miami-Dade
It was “a real family affair this year,” noted Courtney Berrien, associate director of the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI).
“We greatly appreciate the efforts made by faculty and staff to participate in the day of service alongside their spouses and children,” Berrien said. “Several students said that the faculty and staff participants had an energizing effect on the projects. Their involvement contributed positively to the warm sense of community we experienced at the event this year.”
Vega said she and Hengartner were happy that they “got the whole family in on the action.”
Hengartner said they “gratefully seized this opportunity to teach our kids the importance of service and honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.”
He added: “Being part of a fun and positive group of volunteers helped make it a great experience for everyone. We are looking forward to do so again.”
Also among the volunteers were Brenda Byrd-Rosario, the coordinator for annual giving in Barry’s Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving (Division of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs). Accompanying Byrd-Rosario were husband Fred Rosario and their five-year-old son Julian.
“It was my pleasure … to be able to join the CCSI team and all the other volunteers, in solidarity for such a great cause!” Byrd-Rosario said. “Also, thank you for allowing my family the opportunity to partake in the experience; it was quite meaningful for all of us to experience this together!”
MLK Day of Service volunteers also included Student Government Association President Francesca Martin, Barry Service Corps fellows, and members of the Major Days of Service Committee.
The day’s theme was “The Time is Always Right to Do What is Right.”
The university marks MLK Day each year on the Saturday immediately preceding the King Holiday. This year’s Day of Service was sponsored partly by Service for Peace – an MLK Day lead agency funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service – as well as Home Depot and Bagel Bar East, both in North Miami.
Dr. Heidi LaPorte, an associate professor of social work, and husband Raphael took part in one of the service projects, as did Fabio Naranjo, an instructor of social work.
Naranjo felt it was not too early for his four-year-old son Fabio, Jr. to learn what MLK meant by his often-quoted “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.”
Drs. Christoph Hengartner and Leticia Vega, associate professors of biology, had their three children with them. Stefan, 16; Erica, 14; and Lucas, 10, all helped to clear the ground for planting at Urban GreenWorks’ new garden site on NE 62nd Street in Little Haiti, which will be a community garden for children.
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Barry University and City of Hollywood Council to mark Black History Month with Two-Part Event
Barry University and the City of
The first presentation will cover historical highlights of Black Education and the second will focus on current educational challenges and opportunities.
On February 8, Dr. Velmarie L. Albertini, professor of sociology and associate dean in Barry’s
On February 22, Dr. Phyllis Scott, dean of the university’s School
Barry’s Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI); the City of Hollywood’s African American Advisory Council; and Liberia Economic and Social Development will host the event in the Hollywood City Commission Chamber at
Billed as the “Talented 10th Poetry Slam,” the spoken word/poetry contest will follow the presentation. The contest is open to high school students in
The Hollywood City Commission will issue a proclamation of Black History Month at its meeting on February 1. Copies of the proclamation will be presented to Dr. Glenn A. Bowen, executive director of the CCSI; Dr. Mary Mites Campbell, chair of the African American Advisory Council; and Henry L. Graham, executive director of Liberia Economic and Social Development.
The CCSI is Barry University’s clearinghouse for community engagement information, resources, and opportunities. The center provides leadership and coordination to ensure that the university maintains its Carnegie classification as a community-engaged institution.
The African American Advisory Council keeps the City Commission and staff informed about the needs and concerns of African American residents of Hollywood. The council promotes fairness and equality in economic, employment, housing, education, and cultural opportunities.
Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc. is a community development corporation and a community-based organization that provides certain services to low-income families in three Broward County neighborhoods. The organization offers career counseling, employment training, job retention assistance, affordable housing, food, and childcare to residents of
For further information on the Black History Month event, contact Barry CCSI at 305-899-3696 or City of Hollywood Community Development at 954-921-3271.
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Symposium Presentations to Focus on Experiential Learning
Barry University’s fourth annual Community Engagement Symposium will include presentations and discussions of experiential learning projects and practices. Scheduled for March 29, the symposium will draw attention to community-focused dimensions of experiential learning.
The program will feature a seminar and a workshop by a nationally recognized expert in experiential learning and community engagement. Also on the program is a poster session highlighting students’ academic and co-curricular work as well as a community engagement showcase involving community partners.
Additional information is available from the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.
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Campus and Community Invited to Deliberative Dialogue on February 16
Students, faculty and staff members, and community members are invited to the next Deliberative Dialogue forum, which will take place on February 16.
“The forum will focus on conflicts between exercising one’s religious beliefs and the civil and human rights of the transgendered and gay communities,” CCSI Associate Director Courtney Berrien has announced.
Titled “LGBTQ Rights vs. Religious Freedom: Legal, Social, and Political Dimensions,” the 90-minute forum will be held in Room 111 of the Andreas Building on Barry’s Miami Shores campus, beginning at 4 p.m.
The CCSI organizes the Deliberative Dialogue Series as a method of civic learning and engagement, as well as an opportunity to bring together campus and community stakeholders to weigh perspectives about social issues of current concern. Participants work toward practical solutions to such issues.
For further information, contact Berrien at cberrien@barry.edu or 305-899-4017.
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College Brides Walk Takes Place on February 17
The 7th Annual
The opening ceremony will be held in the Broad Auditorium, beginning at 10:00 a.m., and the walk to Johnson & Wales
Students from seven universities – Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida Memorial, Johnson & Wales, Lynn, Nova Southeastern, and the University of
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CCSI Newsletter
Posted On : January 30, 2017
