Meet Our Change Warriors

The Change Warriors program gives CUNY SPS students an opportunity to make a difference through community service while building meaningful connections and strengthening their leadership skills. Hear directly from Change Warriors as they reflect on their volunteer experiences, what they learned and the impact of giving back.

Change Warrior: Student Reflections

Ashley Fuentes-Miranda

Program Participation: Fall 2023 – Spring 25
Recognition Earned: Student Life Change Warrior

I cannot believe that this is the end to another chapter of my life. My experience with the Change Warriors was amazing. I learned that it is amazing to be selfless, that I should be a better listener to others, that I need to work on patience, love myself, and balance all areas of my life. The organization that I began to volunteer with has become part of my routine and I am staying with them for a long time. I have worked with multiple populations facing various situations in New York such as housing, domestic violence, food shortage, immigration issues, and mental health. It shifted my perspective into realizing that New York City can do so much more. There is a scarcity of resources. All city organizations should have their information up to date in a guide to help those in need.

The new skills that I developed were learning how to express myself professionally, note taking for clients’ records, and how to coordinate community events. I was very shy and terrible at public speaking. Now I have begun to become more vocal, and I have enrolled myself in leadership classes to continue to grow and improve as a person.

The moments that stood out to me the most during my volunteering experience were food handouts, clothes handouts, and working with one family. They just had a newborn and came to the country. It was very difficult navigating resources for the family at first. Towards the end I was able to get clothing donations, assistance for food, and they were able to relocate to another state. It made me appreciate the struggle that my parents probably faced when they first came to this country.

Dennys Antunish

Program Participation: Spring 2025 – Spring 2026
Recognition Earned: Lex Change Warrior and Student Life Change Warrior

Volunteering in diverse settings over this semester has given me a deeper understanding of both the communities I served and of myself. Through helping senior citizens play games, I learned the importance of patience, empathy, and how even small gestures can bring immense joy to someone’s day. Teaching chess to kids and English to Ukrainian individuals allowed me to see the impact and value of education. Education not only builds skills but also confidence and connection. I discovered that I’m someone who finds great fulfillment in helping others learn and grow, and that I have the ability to adapt my communication style to suit different ages and cultural backgrounds. Delivering food to home-bound residents exposed me to the realities of isolation and food insecurity. It gave me a new appreciation for the stability I often take for granted and highlighted the importance of having a community that will take their time to support the most vulnerable. Volunteering at college events strengthened my organizational and teamwork skills, I was able to help make an event run smoothly with my fellow classmates. One memory I wanted to share is how I helped my Ukrainian student in navigating the airport and buy tickets because they never been on a plane or to an airport before. It was such a simple moment, but it underscored how powerful human connection can be and how I enjoyed being someone that is seen as helpful. Overall, these experiences have broadened my perspective, made me more compassionate, and taught me that creating positive change doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with consistency, kindness, and a willingness to show up. I now want to carry this mindset with me in all areas of my life.

Eromidayo Olayiwola

Program Participation: Spring 2024 – Spring 2026
Recognition Earned: Student Life Change Warrior

Volunteering with the Christ Life Institute’s Media and Publicity Department (MPD) and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault has been a meaningful learning experience that strengthened my skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, and advocacy.

At Christ Life Institute, I learned how media can be used as a tool to inform, encourage, and support a community. Through creating digital content, handbills, and videos, I developed skills in content creation and strategic messaging. This experience also helped me recognize the importance of listening to a community’s spiritual, emotional, and professional needs. One meaningful experience was helping with a video campaign highlighting counseling services and seeing community members respond by seeking support and expressing gratitude.

For the past three semesters, I have also volunteered with the Sex Education Committee at the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. This experience taught me how to approach sensitive topics with empathy, respect, and responsibility. I gained a greater understanding of consent, contraception, STI prevention, LGBTQ+ sexual health, and the effects of misinformation and stigma. Most importantly, I learned the value of creating safe, judgment-free spaces where people feel comfortable seeking information and support.

Both experiences have strengthened my commitment to service and taught me that effective community work requires not only sharing information, but also listening, understanding, and responding to people’s needs with care.

Genavie Jn Marie

Program Participation: Fall 2025
Recognition Earned: Lex Change Warrior

My experience volunteering at the food pantry was both significant and informative. During my volunteer hours, I sorted, packed and restocked food items on shelves and assisted with food distribution. From this experience, I learned more about myself, particularly my capacity to adjust to various circumstances and to collaborate effectively with others. I also realized that I take pleasure in assisting others and can adapt when assignments change or unexpected challenges occur.

Volunteering shaped my perspective on the community by helping my understanding of the difficulties numerous families face with food insecurity. Observing individuals who rely on the pantry for essential items made me recognize the importance of community support networks and how even small acts of kindness can positively impact someone’s life. This experience enhanced my understanding and motivated me to be more conscious of the needs of those around me.

I also acquired multiple important skills. Collaboration and communication were crucial when partnering with fellow volunteers to arrange food and distribute resources effectively. I enhanced my time management abilities by finishing tasks within designated time limits and acquired problem solving strategies for reorganizing inventory or addressing shortages. Furthermore, I strengthened my leadership abilities by stepping up to complete tasks and offering assistance to others when needed.

The moments that stood out the most were interacting with community members during food distribution and witnessing their appreciation. Those experiences reminded me that volunteering involves more than just completing tasks. It is about building relationships and supporting others. In general, this experience enhanced my adaptability, communication, collaboration, leadership, empathy, networking, problem solving, and time management abilities while allowing me to significantly contribute to my community.

Gichael Brown

Program Participation: Fall 2023 – Spring 2025
Recognition Earned: Student Life Change Warrior

The Fall 2024-Spring 2025 semester of serving in my faith-based community has been one of the most humbling and eye-opening experiences of my life. Through activities such as assisting with funeral repasts, supporting weddings, organizing concerts and rehearsals, and volunteering in the soup kitchen and pantry, I have discovered, in my second year as a Student Life Changed Warrior, how deeply I thrive when I serve others. I found great joy and purpose in small acts of kindness, whether it was offering a warm meal, organizing food for a family in need, or simply being a comforting presence during someone’s time of grief. Compassion doesn’t always require grand gestures; it often flourishes in everyday service.

One moment that particularly moved me was during a funeral repast. I witnessed families coming together, laughing through tears, and finding healing in shared memories. This experience reminded me that even in sorrow, love is what binds us together. It affirmed the profound value of community and the quiet strength we derive from serving one another.

Volunteering has transformed my perspective. It has shown me how easily we can overlook the pain of others in our busy lives. I have developed stronger communication and organizational skills through planning events and coordinating efforts with others in the church. I also learned to be more patient and empathetic, especially when helping those who are vulnerable or in crisis. "Serving is my God given gift, and I anticipate more opportunities to keep serving".

Hajer Al-Banaa

Program Participation: Spring 2025
Recognition Earned: Change Warrior

Being part of the Change Warrior volunteering group has been a transformative journey because it is a great skill on me. The skills that I was able to implement were the value of empathy, patience, and resilience. I always loved to help others and be part of their physical and mental health journey, which is why I have studied mental health and now studies psychology and SPS CUNY College. However, this opportunity has made realize my deep passion towards it, especially when I was faced with challenges that required me to step out of my comfort zone.

Working with Dorot organization in caring calls has opened my eyes to the real-life struggles of older adults, such as anxiety, isolation, loneliness, and mild life crisis. This opportunity has given me a better understanding of social issues and helps me appreciate the importance of human resources. The caring calls were online, but I was able to gain practical skills such as effective communication, problem solving, and time management, since we had to speak every week for 30 minutes. Even though what was required of me was to speak to my match for 30 minutes every week, we spoke for hours, which shows we have developed emotional connection. These skills are both essential for personal and professional settings.

Another volunteer work that I have enjoyed is the public library armed crafts for kids, which was a rewarding experience that taught me a lot about myself. I learned that I am able to connect with people of all ages, whether they are old, young, or kids. I was able to provide emotional support, whether online caring calls for seniors, women centers, or guiding children through creative projects.

This volunteer work has shaped my perspective on communities by showing me how important it is to serve others who face challenges and are in need for physical and emotional support. Volunteering has not only provided me with valuable skills but also if you want a deeper sense of purpose and connection with people of all ages and genders.

Jason Gilbert

Program Participation: Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
Recognition Earned: Student Life Change Warrior

Volunteering as a crisis text line counselor revealed unexpected resilience within me. I discovered that I am able to support someone through their intense emotions without feeling overwhelmed. I found that patience and empathy increase throughout the conversations. I was able to offer genuine support, which taught me that being present in the conversation and ensuring that the texter feels heard has a real positive impact, even in the most dire of circumstances. Engaging with people facing anxiety, loneliness, and crisis influenced my understanding of mental health in the current social environment. I realized how devastating isolation can be, and how someone reaching out, even a stranger via text, makes a real difference. This experience expanded my understanding of the struggles people are experiencing, which ranged far greater than I knew. Thorough training gave me the active listening techniques, de-escalation strategies, and crisis intervention principles I needed to support a wide variety of people in crisis. I learned to develop supportive responses, while balancing boundaries and recognizing when to seek supervisor guidance. Translating psychological theory into real conversations helped me think on my feet and maintain a sense of calm during emergency situations. One moment that stands out is a late-night session with a texter actively self-harming. Their willingness to reach out enabled me to help them deescalate and return to a more regulated state. We navigated that darkness together until they began to express hope for the future. Witnessing that remarkable shift showed me the profound importance of the volunteer position.

Lyvia Hawks

Program Participation: Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
Recognition Earned: Change Warrior and Lex Change Warrior

What I learned about myself is that volunteering truly brings me joy and purpose. It feels natural to me, and if I could spend my life doing it, I honestly would.

Volunteering shaped my perspective by reminding me how important it is to pay it forward. Even a few hours of my time brightened the seniors’ day so much that they would ask when I was coming back. Seeing how much they appreciated my presence made the whole experience meaningful. The new skills I gained were patience, understanding, and a deeper sense of love for my community.

The moments that stood out the most were my experiences volunteering with Citymeals on Wheels for the Carter Burden Network (CBN) on 109th Street in Manhattan. The seniors were vibrant, funny, and full of life, and over time they even thought I worked there, which made me feel like I truly belonged. Another special moment was taking my mother to the volunteer luncheon organized by the Director of Volunteer Services, Jenny Moreno. My mom was so impressed by the warmth and camaraderie between the staff, volunteers, and seniors that she wanted to start going to the center herself.

Mohammad Shabbir Ahmed

Program Participation: Spring 2025
Recognition Earned: Change Warrior

During my volunteer experience in the Change Warrior program, I learned a lot about myself and the kind of person I want to become. The experience became much more meaningful than I expected. I realized that I truly enjoy helping others and being part of something positive in the community. I also discovered that I am more patient, responsible, and hardworking than I thought. Even when I was tired or busy with school and work, I still wanted to show up and contribute because I knew my help mattered.

Volunteering helped shape my perspective on the importance of community and kindness. While participating in events like Citymeals on Wheels and volunteering at Prospect Park, I saw how even small actions can make a big difference in someone’s day. Helping with Lavender Graduation and the BSU Graduation was also a memorable experience because I was able to support and celebrate students during important moments in their lives. Seeing people happy and appreciative made me feel proud and motivated to continue giving back.

Through this experience, I gained valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and time management. I became more confident speaking and working with different people from different backgrounds. These experiences also helped me grow personally and professionally, especially because I want to work in healthcare and continue serving communities in the future.

The moments that stood out to me the most were the times when people sincerely thanked us for our support. Those moments reminded me that volunteering is not only about completing hours, but about making a real impact. Overall, the Change Warrior program was a rewarding experience that helped me grow, connect with others, and appreciate the value of helping the community.

Navya Nibu

Program Participation: Fall 2024 – Spring 2026
Recognition Earned: Change Warrior and Student Life Change Warrior

When I first joined CUNY School of Professional Studies, I was looking for a club that suits my interest in volunteering and was thrilled to learn about Change Warriors on the SPS website. Since joining the club, I have learned different things about myself and gained new knowledge about the community I serve.

One thing I learned about myself was that I enjoyed being in atmospheres in which people help each other to reach a common goal. In all my volunteer activities this semester, I noticed that the group of individuals that I worked with had a heart to serve and I felt that they were enthusiastic about working together to get a job done. This was especially evident when I volunteered at God’s Love We Deliver, when a few of us decided to stay for more time to help a small group finish packaging meals. When I volunteered at Feeding with TLC, the leader talked about the dire need for volunteers at the Soup Kitchen. I understood what she had meant when I learned that at this specific place, they feed about 100 individuals every Saturday and volunteer efforts have a noticeable impact. Volunteers make the process run smoothly as they have different tasks to fulfill. It was in these experiences that I realized the importance of being attentive and being a source of strength for others.

Rasheeda Loggins

Program Participation: Spring 2025 and Spring 2026
Recognition Earned: Change Warrior and Lex Change Warrior

Throughout my time volunteering this semester, I have learned about the true passion I hold for volunteering. I truly enjoy helping and supporting my community, individuals, families, and understand how little acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact on someone's life. My perspective has evolved as a result of the services I have provided. Specifically volunteering at OnPoint NYC, has helped me to view each individual that walks through those doors in a different light. Instead of focusing on the challenges they face, and perceiving them through a lens based on preconceived notions and stigmas. I am learning to have more compassion and empathy for each individual I see when on my volunteer shift. As I continued to show up for each shift at various organizations, it has helped me to develop further skills in adapting, problem-solving, and socializing. For the school year I planned to accomplish the top-tier of volunteer hours, but life happened. So I challenged myself to complete the second-tier, and I almost thought that I wouldn't be able to complete the hours. But I am proud of myself and I am glad that I was able to accomplish the goal I set out for myself this semester in the Change Warrior Program. It is an amazing experience and I feel honored to be a part of this program the second time around. I will always remember the impact volunteering and the Change Warrior Program has had on my life.

Saint Lee Zigler

Program Participation: Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
Recognition Earned: Student Life Change Warrior

Volunteering has been a deeply meaningful experience that has shaped not only how I view the world but also how I understand myself. Through my volunteer work, I’ve come to realize that my desire to be of serves to others stems from a core part of my identify, altruism. I’ve always felt a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to the well-being of my community, especially those who are often overlooked or underserved. What I learned about myself is that my empath is not just an emotion. It’s a driving force that motivates me to act, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult.

Working closely with marginalized communities has opened my eyes to the systemic challenges people face daily, from housing insecurity to lack of access to healthcare. Volunteering faces these issues a human face. It’s one thing to read about poverty or injustice but it’s another to witness it firsthand and engage with those directly affected. This experience has fueled my passion for social justice and affirmed my commitment to being part of the solution.

In terms of skills, I developed stronger communication, conflict resolution, and crisis response abilities. I also learned how to better listen without judgment or assumptions. One moment that stood out to me was when a community member thanked me not for solving their problem, but simply for treating them with dignity. That moment reminded me that sometimes the most powerful form of help is showing someone they matter. Volunteering has reaffirmed that my purpose lies in services, and that small acts of care can ripple into lasting change.

Sandra Wong

Program Participation: Spring 2024 – Spring 2026
Recognition Earned: Lex Change Warrior and Student Life Change Warrior

Volunteering as a crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line has been an impactful experience. I learned that even though I was having a rough day, I was quick to sign on and help others. I think that is where I get my sense of purpose and fulfilment. I love serving others, especially in the field of mental health. I enjoy talking about mental health and advocating for resources and accessibility. I want to decrease the stigma around mental health, and I was able to do that through volunteering here. When people shared about the Crisis Text Line either at schools or on websites, it was usually for suicide or other issues, but a lot of time, the people texting in wanted to vent and have someone listen to them. Nothing crazy was happening, but they only wanted to have someone listen and be heard. It is so powerful what a listening ear can do. A new skill I was able to practice was active listening and validating the texter. Validating the texter and using good strength ids were difficult because I always wanted to ask what was going on and find out more. But validating and encouraging them was also as important. I felt like a lot of the texters did not have a support system in their lives and wanted to talk to someone without being judged. A moment that stood out to me was when I was messaging one of the texters on the platform for hours and the texter said it made her day because she was not able to openly share about her life with anyone. This was a great experience and will be something that I will continue to do.

Change Warrior: Student Reflections

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