August 14, 2006
Clark University Student Spends his Summer assisting area Refugees
Worcester, Mass. - Ethan J. Green of West Nyack, NY, spent his summer working with the Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services in Worcester.
Green spent 11 weeks helping immigrants and refugees "get off on the right foot in the U.S." He taught computer skills, assisted with an employment class and worked in an employment office. Green also assisted people who were moving into new homes with setting up appointments.
Green is also involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Student Alliance of Vegan and Vegetarian Youth at Clark. He is a member of the Class of 2008 and is the son of Steven and Lenore Green of West Nyack. He is a 2004 graduate of Nanuet High School.
"While volunteering in Worcester I was able to see the reality of what immigrants and refugees have to deal with and witness those trying to assist them. I would urge everyone to work in the community and get involved because you are exposed to truth which can really motivate you to want to change things."
In the fall of 2004, Green was one of 10 students to enroll at Clark University as a Making A Difference Scholar. The students were awarded these special scholarships because of their outstanding commitment to, and leadership in, community service activities.
Prior to enrolling at Clark, Green was involved in many activities through the Rockland Youth Bureau, S.A.F.E. (Students Alliance for Equality) Club, the Social Justice Committee, and helped hgive presentations to youth on healthy deciscion making. In addition he is a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and has been involved in International Community Services in Cuba and Belize and Americorps Environmental Training. He was trained as a consultant for the Rockland Family Shelter, a the founder of the Environmental Club and the Youth Advisory Board of the NGO Keep Rockland Beautiful, where he also co created a puppet show to educate youth in schools on environmental issues. He also assisted with community clean-ups and helped with the development of a memorial for 9/11 victims in Rockland County.
Clark University has instituted the Making a Difference Scholarship for eight years. These students, who have devoted their time and energy to bettering communities at home and abroad, each receive $11,000 for each of their four years at Clark. They are also offered a $2,500 stipend to support projects they undertake with the University Park Partnership (UPP) during the summer following their sophomore or junior years.
Clark has a long-standing commitment to making significant contributions to the solution of societal problems. Faculty members conduct research and influence policies that improve social and economic conditions for people all over the world. A large percentage of Clark students help better the lives of hundreds of local residents through their involvement with a wide variety of service projects.