Kenan Scholars Program

New York City has over 92,000 unhoused individuals, including roughly 33,000 children, who sleep nightly in the municipal shelter system. The KENAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT MACAULAY offers a unique, two-semester experience for students to combat the homeless crisis through direct service and advocacy work. Current Macaulay sophomores who are interested in public service are encouraged to apply.

FALL SEMESTER: Students will work directly with unhoused individuals through a partnership with Xavier Mission, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit located in Manhattan. During this semester of direct involvement, students will prepare meals, distribute food and clothing, and develop an understanding of the causes of homelessness. Personal engagement with the Mission’s patrons will put human faces on what can sometimes seem like a cold statistic. Identifying overlaps between their own studies and the guests’ needs, students will begin brainstorming their spring projects.

 

SPRING SEMESTER: At the start of the program’s second semester, students will submit a project proposal that highlights their spring plans. Kenan Scholars have the opportunity to either put in place a new initiative that draws from their expertise or collaborate with other cohort members on their projects. Working closely with Xavier’s Director of Outreach, students may delve into research, funding, non-profit management, governmental relations, and other structural issues impacting unhoused individuals. They will gain a deep understanding of how the organization works with government, private funders, and the community in serving this vulnerable population, and how those structures can be improved.

The KENAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT MACAULAY is designed to:

  • build a cohort of service-oriented students across the eight campuses
  • introduce students to the issues affecting our city’s most vulnerable populations
  • gain intimate knowledge of the workings of a New York City non-profit

Participants are nominated as sophomores and must submit an application to be considered for the program.

Kenan Scholars will have access to a $5k enhanced Opportunities Fund grant after completing the spring semester of the program.

  • In order to access the grant, students must first complete a proposal outlining their intended project for the spring semester of the program.

  • Possible initiatives may include, but are not limited to, implementing workshops that address identified hygienic and nutritional needs of the guests, creating an advocacy campaign, researching potential sources of funding, and studying the workings of a non-profit.

Students will be expected to present on their experience at the end of the spring semester.

Completion of the program fulfills the student’s service requirement.

 

APPLY NOW THROUGH MAY 10

 

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For more information, please contact:

Cam Stewart

Cam Stewart
Student Writing Specialist

Macaulay Honors College
cameron.stewart@mhc.cuny.edu
(212) 729-2928(212) 729-2928
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