GCY Fellow Gaya Morris will be hosting a booth at the Hingham, MA, Farmer’s Market on Saturday September 5th from 10 am to 2 pm. Gaya is commissioning portraits from family, friends and community members as part of a series that she will continue to produce throughout her GCY experience in Senegal. Read more about Gaya’s project on her blog: www.globalcitizenyear.org/category/fellows/

Why the farmer’s market? In Gaya’s own words, “I think it would be … inspiring for people to see that an average high school student living in their community, just down the road from the public library, is able to embark on such an adventure. GCY is about more than just giving to and raising awareness about the developing world – it’s also about giving its students the tools with which to make change – any place, for any community, anywhere. The Farmer’s Market is for me such an exciting place as I think it represents a community movement towards change … I really think my experience (and the GCY mission in general) is about influencing and involving home communities just as much as foreign ones.”

Find Gaya on Saturday September 5th, 10 am – 2 pm at The Beach Market, Hingham Bathing Beach, on Route 3A in Hingham, MA.

Meet GCY Fellow Hilary Brown!! Hilary is hosting a fundraiser and information session in Seattle  on Wednesday August 26th from 7-9 pm.

See the evite here: Global Citizen Year Seattle Fundraiser

From Hilary:

Come hear about Global Citizen Year and Senegal this Wednesday at the Blue Ridge Club House. I’m excited to share with you our plans for this new global organization and my part in it as a Founding Fellow.

Also, Dr. Steve Hawes, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Washington, will discuss his personal experiences in Senegal, Africa, which is where I will spend my Global Citizen Year.

Please come and enjoy a dessert buffet while helping me reach my fundraising goal of $2,000.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in attending please spread the word and forward them the invitation!

Founding Fellow Michael Wilson of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, spread the word about Global Citizen Year to his community on August 6. At an event hosted at his church, Michael spoke about the Global Citizen Year movement and his excitement to be a part of the Founding Fellows class. The 40 guests in attendance — family, friends and church congregation members — donated nearly $1000 and offered words of advice for Michael and the entire Founding Fellows team. The “Notes from Home” Campaign collected wisdom and encouragement for the Fellows as they begin their international experience.

In Michael’s own words, “We had a great turnout and together we made great progress towards my movement building and fundraising goal!” And his parents proudly state that “one thing is certain… Michael hasn’t even left North Carolina yet and he has already learned so much!  What an amazing opportunity!”

Congratulations Michael and our deepest gratitude to our friends in Chapel Hill, North Carolina!

According to an article recently published in the Christian Science Monitor, colleges are increasingly encouraging — and rewarding — students who choose to take a bridge year before college. “Colleges are thinking creatively these days about linking two priorities for students: financial aid and public service…what’s catching on now is the idea of rewarding up front students who defer college to help others.”

The bridge year concept is gaining traction!

Read the original article.

Read the New York Times commentary.