New Community Project Inc

OUR FIRST PROGRAM NEWCOMM FELLOWS LAUNCHED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY WITH A COHORT OF 11 INAUGURAL FELLOWS. FELLOWS IS A ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP THAT LEVERAGES THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF A LITERARY NOVEL TO DESIGN, REFINE, AND EXECUTE LOCAL SOCIAL IMPACT PROJECTS. FELLOWS OFFERS STUDENTS THE MULTI-YEAR OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WITH US, RECEIVE A STIPEND, AND DEVELOP INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO LOCAL ISSUES. THE PROGRAM BEGINS EACH SUMMER, FOCUSING ON ENHANCING CRITICAL READING, WRITING, DATA GATHERING, AND PROJECT PLANNING SKILLS. FIELDWORK COMPLEMENTS CLASSROOM LEARNING, WITH OPPORTUNITIES LIKE SHADOWING AT 311 CALL CENTERS, CONDUCTING RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS, AND ENGAGING WITH CITY OFFICIALS. THESE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES PROVIDE FELLOWS WITH THE INSIGHTS NEEDED TO CO-DESIGN A $10,000 PROJECT IN A SECTOR THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT. THE JOURNEY EXTENDS BEYOND SUMMER, AS FELLOWS MEET MONTHLY IN 'DESIGN STUDIO' SESSIONS TO REFINE THEIR IDEAS INTO FULLY REALIZED INITIATIVES. MIDWAY THROUGH THE FELLOWS PROGRAM EACH YEAR, WE TAKE A BREAK AND HEAD UPSTATE FOR LAB*, A THREE-DAY RETREAT DESIGNED TO RE-CONNECT TO THE MISSION OF THEIR PROJECTS, THEIR ACADEMIC PURSUITS, AND TO EXCHANGE INSIGHTS WITH THE INCOMING COHORT. THE RETREAT FEATURES THREE MAIN "WISDOM CIRCLES" FOCUSED ON STRATEGIC PROBLEM-SOLVING, EXPLORING THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN DEFINING PERSONAL MISSIONS, AND FOSTERING SELF AND COMMUNAL ACCOUNTABILITY. EMPHASIZING WELLNESS AND JOY, THE AGENDA INCLUDES DINNER DISCUSSIONS, MEDITATION SESSIONS, AND SMALL GROUP OUTINGS. RETURNING TO NYC, OUR FELLOWS ARE EQUIPPED WITH ENHANCED SKILLS AND STRONGER CONNECTIONS, READY TO COMPLETE THEIR PROJECTS AND THE SCHOOL YEAR.