SHARE week (i)

words and photos by Hailey Choi

Monday August 31st through Thursday September 3rd, 09, SHARE e-board put on SHARE week, a series of dinner lectures designed to introduce NJMS students to the various programs and activities under SHARE. The series started at 5.30pm each evening, in the First-year lecture hall. The first three days introduced students to what SHARE is, and what it does; the event culminated on Thursday, when a panel of community leaders were invited to speak about their experiences and interactions with NJMS. In addition to filling the minds of students with possible inspirations, SHARE week also filled the tummies with free food each night.

Free sandwiches? Yes!

At each session, the students were asked to enter their names in a raffle to win the prize of the night. All 4 days, a $10 giftcard to Dunkin' Donuts was awarded to one lucky student; a special prize, a $50 certificate to  Mompou was given to one of the students who attended all 4 days of SHARE week. 

Puja Shah (NJMS '12) and Carmen Castilla (NJMS '12), leaders of STATS.

Leaders from the sub-organizations of SHARE - SFHCC, New Moms, SSS, REACH, STATS, PINACLE, ESMP - as well as the Voices of Share non-credit elective, were invited to briefly introduce their organizations. The leaders emphasized their personal gains from their experiences and how new students can get involved. 

STATS T-shirts, AIDS pins, and chocolate and condoms to take home.

A few upperclassmen were invited to talk as well. Chinmoy Bhate, a 4th-year director of SFHCC, gave a behind-the-scenes look at the student clinic. Shashi Kapadia, a 3rd-year leader of PINACLE, also described the functions of PINACLE. 

Dr. A. Natale-Pereira, faculty advisor of SHARE, was also present on the first evening. She enjoyed the presentations and engaged the students in the audience to share their experiences involving the community. She encourage students that now is a great opportunity to get involved. 

Students learn about SHARE.

The lectures lasted for about 1 hour each night, giving the students some break-time from their studies and providing nourishment. James Lin (NJMS '12) and Emily Fay (NJMS '12), two organizers of SHARE week, hope that the students were inspired, not only with free goodies, but with a wealth of resources that SHARE has to offer.

(report continued in following post)

First-year students with STATS T-shirts and smiles.