APRIL CHECK-IN

Monthly community service hours completed: 19
Cumulative semester service hours completed: 24


As a very busy month of April comes to an end, this final blog post marks the conclusion of my studies, and I’m proud to have earned a Master of Science in Pharmacology. With a lighter coursework load this month, I made it a priority to complete all of my community service hours so I can fully focus on MCAT studying in May.


Volunteering at The Green Project made up about 13 hours of my service, and I had a great experience with them. During one of my shifts, I met a customer who shared a story that really helped me understand the importance of the work they do. He told me that since Hurricane Katrina, he has been living in his home without electricity or internet. Because The Green Project provides secondhand building materials at a discounted rate, they were able to supply him with what he needed to finally restore power in his home, 20 years later. That conversation had a profound impact on me and reinforced just how essential this organization is to the New Orleans community.


In addition to my time at The Green Project, I spent about five hours volunteering with Common Ground Relief across two separate shifts. One area I worked in was their community free pantry, where they collect food donations from local restaurants and grocery stores and distribute them to the unhoused population. One morning, I helped unload donations from Rouses off a delivery truck, and it was a blast working alongside the staff and learning more about their role in the community. Supporting underserved populations in New Orleans has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s clear that these services not only meet essential needs but also foster a unique sense of community and care that makes this city so special. It’s something I hope to remain a part of for years to come.


I also volunteered with Common Ground Relief’s native tree nursery. There, they grow a variety of plants, primarily native Louisiana trees, that are later planted in wetlands to help combat land loss. Louisiana continues to lose significant amounts of land each year due to erosion from the Mississippi River and surrounding waters, and these trees play a crucial role in stabilizing the soil with their root systems. It was fascinating to learn how even small, community-driven efforts can contribute to long-term environmental protection. At the nursery, they also germinate food-bearing plants like okra to distribute through the free pantry, which is a great way to support food access in underserved communities.


Finally, my last hour of service was spent helping my classmate Jody assemble small care packages filled with essentials like toothbrushes, socks, and other hygiene items for a local homeless shelter in New Orleans. It was a simple but meaningful way to top off my service experience, and it reminded me that even small acts of kindness can make a real difference in someone’s day.


Overall, this month of service has been both eye-opening and rewarding, and it has strengthened my commitment to giving back as I move forward in my journey toward a career in medicine.


 

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