The Advocate Asks: Leader of Building Up Hudson, Vishal Parkash ‘27
Vishal Parkash'27.
AA: Tell us a little about Building Up Hudson, the project you’re leading.
Building up Hudson is an initiative that was started two decades ago. It’s an initiative in which Bardians go out and tutor high school students in the Hudson Valley. We also help them through our life-building workshops, such as working with them on college applications. I was introduced to this by the TLS leader, Paul Marienthal, and I took over as Building Up Hudson’s leader this year. Now I'm also leading storytelling workshops, financial literacy workshops, helping out with college applications, and tutoring. Building Up Hudson is a part of Operation Unite, which is led by Elena Mosley. She's one of the biggest leaders in the Hudson Valley, and I really, really appreciate what she does for the people around here.
AA: How did you get involved with Building Up Hudson?
I was involved with Civic Engagement back in Berlin. I have been involved with Civic Engagement since I was 15, specifically in financial literacy projects. As soon as I got here, I knew I had to speak to someone about how I could get involved with Civic Engagement at Bard Annandale. I already knew Paul from the Get Engaged conference, so I decided to speak to him first. The TLS office is always open to new ideas and wants to support them, no matter if they have the resources or not. Building Up Hudson is a project that Paul was very familiar with, since it started his first year working at Bard. Paul presented that option to me, and I was like, “Yeah, let's do it!” And that’s really how I became involved.
AA: What is the ethos of Operation Unite?
Operation Unite focuses on educating young children, but also focuses on enlightening the community through education. They have been around for the past 25-30 years, and Building Up Hudson is just one project within their NGO. They not only focus on the nourishment of children, but also focus on how to make children and high schoolers the leaders of tomorrow. I think what I’m trying to do with Building Up Hudson this year is instill a vision of people, planning, and purpose- a mantra that I follow. To break it down, people are my purpose, and planning is my purpose. I find these two respective entities are super important.
AA: How often does Building Up Hudson hold workshops?
The workshops happen once a week on Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It has been happening once a week since October. We leave at 4 p.m. from the campus center and head back by 6:30. However, we're hoping to change it up next semester and introduce two sessions per week. Right now, the person who goes to sessions with me is a freshman. There are also a bunch of other people who are willing to get involved- sometimes people help by providing resources, but the hope is that the team will be up to five people next semester.
AA: What's the age range of kids that you're working with?
They’re usually freshmen in high school. But the plan is to also expand it, because initially I was thinking of starting in three different locations- but I like starting big. Paul reminded me to start small and then go big. So, I think next semester we're planning to expand into Kingston and Tivoli Library.
AA: How do you hope your work with Building Up Hudson maintains a lasting impact when you return to Bard Berlin?
I am trying to create a team that can continue to guide Building Up Hudson forward, and create a legacy in which people believe financial literacy and entrepreneurship are not only for people who study economics and finance. Financial literacy is for everyone. I also believe that all of us have amazing ideas, but aren’t sure how to use them. I'm trying to give people skills that they can potentially use throughout the rest of their lives. Maybe it's a bit optimistic, but I love saying (though it’s a cliche) that where there is a will, there is a way.
AA: What is Building Up Hudson looking for in future volunteers?
To be passionate about the work and be passionate about interacting with high school students. I would also say that working with Building Up Hudson is open to everyone, and that this is a program where volunteers also learn. If you share our vision and mission, and if you want to work with young people in a meaningful way, then this is the place for you!
Post Date: 12-04-2025