Student Leaders Continuing Outreach:
Valentina Flores ‘22
Valentina is a co-leader of the Bard Immigration Coalition and is also an intern for the CCE. She has recently been volunteering some of her time to Red Hook Responds to help those in the local Bard community.
"Before signing on with Red Hook Responds, I was told that it would be very similar to my job at the CCE, that of a front desk intern. At first, I couldn't [fathom] how, but now almost 2 weeks into volunteering, I am starting to see the parallels that there are, in being an active listener, being keen to detail, to that of directing people in the right direction. As a hotline operator, my work consists of responding to any incoming calls and documenting their "service" request of sorts, such that of meal delivery, via the respective google form. The "service" request then falls on to the responsibility of the various dispatchers we have onboard and the requested service is provided during the day in question, or as otherwise specified by the caller in need of the service. While my work is minimal compared to that of dispatchers, delivering the requested services to those in need, it's gratifying to be of help even if it's minimally. Finally, I would like to take advantage of this space, and encourage those who have the time, and or are looking for ways to help those in need, to become volunteers for Red Hook Responds, and consider donating directly to undocumented immigrants affected by COVID-19 (or organizations helping undocumented and immigrant communities), as well as, poor and working-class, Black and Brown people, as these demographics are some of the hardest-hit groups of people in lieu of this health emergency."
Want to learn more about Red Hook Responds? Check out their website https://www.redhookresponds.org/
Follow the Bard Immigration Coalition on Instagram @bardimmigrationcoalition
Post Date: 04-30-2020