Islip Students’ Civics Project Collects Donations For Homeless Shelter

Photos courtesy of Islip School District

At the beginning of the school year, Islip High School civics teacher Ted Blanchard introduced seniors Estefany Gonzalez and Anali Turc­­ios Alvizures to a civic readiness project with a goal of gathering donations for the homeless. The two students accepted the challenge enthusiastically and started brainstorming ideas to make the project a success, meeting with building administration to pitch their ideas.

The seniors identified an organization to work with, the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in Amityville. They communicated with community engagement specialist Bailey Riekkinen and learned about the significant need for clothing, shoes and toiletries. They developed a plan, created flyers and posters that were shared with the community, and began a collection following winter break. The response was overwhelming, with the community rallying behind the students and filling donation boxes and bags in the high school’s main office with clothing, blankets and toiletries.

Islip High School seniors Estefany Gonzalez and Anali Turcios Alvizures collected donations for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in Amityville for a civic readiness project.

On March 15, Gonzalez and Turcios Alvizures provided LICH with the hundreds of donated items. Meeting with Riekkinen, they learned about the varying needs of the homeless and those in emergency shelters, as well as the procedure for processing donations and distributing to those in need through the Coalition’s boutique.

“For Estefany and Anali, this project was not just about collecting donations, it was also about learning to be engaged in their community and giving back to those in need,” Assistant Principal Meghan Stern said. “Throughout the project, Estefany and Anali emphasized the importance of empathy, compassion and understanding. They developed a deeper appreciation for the challenges that homeless individuals face and gained a better understanding of how they can make a positive impact in their community. The project taught them the value of civic engagement, and they left with a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that they made a difference in the lives of others.”