Project Stewardship provides enriched learning experiences for young adults, inspiring an interconnected understanding of self, others, and the natural world through interactive community activities. Our program offers a variety of channels for young people to get involved in becoming effective participants in their own learning, pairing education and socialization! Ideas for workshops and outings are participant-driven and guided by passion-sharing adults and mentors!
Program participants meet twice monthly for a group workshop at Sangha Education Center and an outing to one of our community partner locations. We afford young adults the opportunity to build confidence, social awareness, and communication skills as they explore areas of interest and embark on new experiences. Learning about the relationship between personal well-being and environmental stewardship occurs while developing friendships with peers and mentors. And, participants are able to cultivate leadership skills in caring and advocating for people and planet.
Some examples of hands-on workshops by community partners have included Mindfulness for Stress Reduction via Body Mind Education, Astronomy with Telescope Observations via Amateur Observers Society of NY, Media and Theatre Arts via SUNY Old Westbury Web Radio (OWWR), and a recent favorite… Spirit of Huntington Arts Center for their Artists Come Alive program and amazing sculpting class. Sangha has also hosted Dungeons & Dragons sessions, Mosaic Art Glass molding and decorating, Carpentry workshops such as creating a Pollinator House and a Totem Pole, the latter is in progress (thank you, Malcolm!), piloting Long Island History in Your Own Backyard presentations, and MORE! Additionally, program participants enjoy our special seasonal events that include an array of activities fun for all!
And, our young people have experienced wonderful outings together to Restoration Farm for a farm tour and wellness activities; visits to Sweetbriar Nature Center to learn about animals who are there for rehabilitation and to explore the amazing butterfly house; boat trips with Operation Splash for environmental beach cleanups of the South Shore Bays; marine life exploration and education with The WaterFront Center of Oyster Bay, art exhibits and nature walks at the Nassau County Museum of Art, museum activities related to Long Island geology, Native American archaeology and natural history at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve, several cultural arts outings sponsored by Long Island Traditions, and many MORE!
Our Project Stewardship program has been offered for almost 10 years. We are grateful to our many community partners who work with us and invest in our youth.
Sangha Education Center collaborates with various department at SUNY College at Old Westbury such as First Year Experience, Honors College, Psychology, Education, and Media & Communication for workshops, outings, and special events. In addition, college students from SUNY Old Westbury come on board as interns and volunteers, working with us in a variety of capacities (i.e., peer-mentors, assistant teachers, research assistants, blog writers, photographers, etc.). Interns and volunteers participate in our orientation training and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) basics training through our Community Support Group.
We are privileged to work with graduate students from Stony Brook University and Adelphi University students via Capstone Projects who have contributed to the expansion of Sangha Education Center initiatives, providing additional opportunities for our Project Stewardship participants. We are a collaborative community!
If you would like to contribute towards a Project Stewardship scholarship, see our Scholarship page! Feel free to donate a full or partial scholarship or more than one. You will be changing the life of a young person through your generosity!