What some of our alumni are doing now...
Daniel Stolkowski | Asian Community Development Corporation, Classes VI & VII
As a Massachusetts Promise Fellow with the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), Daniel worked on a variety of projects, including leading over 80 high school and college students in creating and implementing community development projects and designing a curriculum to teach Chinatown youth about gentrification, real estate development, and affordable housing. After his two years with the Fellowship, Daniel moved on to a position as Field Director with WorldTeach/Harvard Center for International Development in Hunan, China. He also earned his Master of Arts in International Policy Students at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and interned at the White House Office of Management and Budget. Daniel is currently studying and researching in China.
“I am 100% sure that my two years of national public service not only helped me to land my job with WorldTeach, but they also played a big part in me getting scholarships for graduate school and landing my sweet summer internship at the White House. If I had the chance to go back and do the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship all over again, I ‘d sign up in a heart beat.”
Whitney Soenksen | Boston Cares, Classes VII & VIII
During Whitney’s two years as a Massachusetts Promise Fellow with Boston Cares, she piloted a week-long service learning program for young people called Teen TeamWorks and planned and implemented several large-scale community service projects for over 200 volunteers. Following her experience with the Fellowship, Whitney moved on to a position with the Massachusetts Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health as the Membership and Communications Coordinator. Whitney’s involvement with the Boston Chapter of AmeriCorps Alums led her to her current position with the national office of AmeriCorps Alums, where she continues to encourage service and support other alumni looking for ways to evolve as leaders and make change in their communities.
“In college, I was a journalism major but decided not to follow that path. I wanted to work for a nonprofit and needed some hands-on experience. If I had taken an entry-level position, I never would have gained the experience that I did as a Fellow. The Fellowship allowed me to build on my skills and background in journalism and use them in a new way to benefit the organization.”
Sarah Terpak | Conte Community School, Classes I & II
Sarah served as part of the inaugural Fellowship class at the Conte Community School in Pittsfield, MA. Her service included re-creating the school Family Center, facilitating a Parent Leadership Team, and helping to coordinate the Connected for Success after-school program. Sarah moved on from the Fellowship to serve children and families as a preschool teacher for several years. She is currently a Family Advocate for Berkshire County Head Start, where she provides comprehensive services for children and families.
“I see my experience with the Fellowship as a foundation to who I have become. It has shaped my life path and my chosen career because it was such a positive and empowering experience for me. It gave me the skills I needed to become a leader and a positive role model for change in my community. I feel confident and proud of my experience as a Fellow and continue to advocate for the program and the character it builds for participants.”
