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Volunteering at the has provided me with the opportunity to be involved with the community I am a part of. I’ve been living in the community, but I honestly was unaware of all it has to offer. The West Haven Community House supports a diverse group of individuals and has many departments catering to the different groups.

I spent most of the summer working in the , essentially a before and after school program at elementary schools during the school year. Its goal is to foster meaningful learning experiences in a safe and creative atmosphere, encouraging personal growth and social interaction.

I worked in the summer program for Children and Youth Services as well. It was an incredible experience, as I got to know and understand children coming in from all different walks of life. I got to create so many fun memories, art, and, most importantly, witness these children grow and have a great summer.

‘An important lesson for me’

I witnessed the struggles that some children faced and how the head teachers were able to comfort and support them. It was truly a heartwarming encounter to see how much the staff at the Community House care for the children and that they are willing to go above and beyond to ensure their safety.

Working in this capacity has allowed me to thrive as a leader, to leave my comfort zone, and to become more expressive and confident. I grew so much personally and professionally this summer, and I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity.

Being able to interact with the members of the community and get a deeper understanding of their needs was an important lesson for me. It taught me why organizations such as the Community House are important. It was an absolute honor to be a part of a team that devotes so much to their job and has so much passion for what they do. It was genuinely so inspiring.

Brianna Myrie ’26, a forensic science major at the University of New Haven, volunteered at the West Haven Community House as part of the University’s President’s Public Service Fellowship.