Statement Of Purpose: Bethany Apartments

The motto, service above oneself, has been a phrase that I have carried with me throughout my life. Service for others has been second nature to me and has been present throughout my life. Having the possibility to dedicate an entire summer to serving those in need is the opportunity of a lifetime. Participating in community service can be challenging, especially in college, when your main focus is academics and preparing yourself for your future career. The opportunity to spend the summer with people who are in need and working at a non-profit is, in my opinion, the best way to round out my time at Union College. The funding from either the Class of 1973 35th ReUnion Community Service Internship Endowment or Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.,

Bethany Apartments is a women’s shelter for survivors of domestic abuse. They provide space for the families to live and a community in which they are able to rebuild their lives and get back on their feet. These women and children are temporarily homeless when they leave the abusive relationship. This is a population in constant need of help and Bethany Apartments is the perfect place for me to help these families. These women and children are often marginalized in the community. Non-profit organizations that are shelters often lack funding and the necessary workforce to run properly. Bethany Apartments is no exception, as they run on a day to day basis. I also feel that working with this population is important because domestic abuse affects everyone in some way. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, 1 in 3 women will experience some form of domestic abuse at some point during their lifetime. This number is alarmingly high and working with this population will increase my knowledge and awareness of the issue. In turn, I will be able to educate many other people about the issues and spread

The organization is small, so creating meaningful and lasting relationships will be easier. Bethany Apartments also has a wide range of ages of both women and children. The children range from babies to teenagers, while the adults range from teenagers to middle-aged women. They have given me opportunities to work with both children and adults. My experience working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has provided me with some skills to work effectively with younger children and building connections. At Bethany Apartments all of the staff have already been welcoming and there have been fre restrictions of what I can do. They are allowing me to make this experiences entirely my own and take it in any direction I would like. This autonomy over my experiences is important because I can make it whatever I want. I can explore any aspect I choose. They have given me the opportunity to create programs for the families and work with the kids. I am excited to be able to program anything ranging from informational sessions to fun parties to group discussion