5/19 - 5/24 Week in Review

Jo’l’s makeup Place Story presentation

Hello Friends,

Word of the week: Evolve

As we approached our last full week of programming, we ended it with a bang by embracing evolution in its many forms.

We kicked things off with Kingston Land Trust, venturing to the Forest Sanctuary for a final Monday in the sunshine. With binoculars in hand and phones out (for once, totally encouraged), fellows used apps like Merlin to identify bird species and track native plants. It was a grounding way to begin our week with our feet on the forest floor, eyes on the canopy, ears tuned to the calls of our feathered neighbors.

Back in homeroom, the kitchen was alive with the scents of our final fellowship meal: pulled pork, chicken alfredo (a beloved classic), and sesame chicken. Each dish represented not just culinary skills but shared time, teamwork, and care.

Throughout the week, emotions ran high as we realized these were our last sessions with our beloved educators. We swapped art pieces with Aurora, taking time to reflect on the stories behind each creation. At the Hudson River Maritime Museum, we quite literally sailed to the finish line adding the final touches to our boat project.

Thursday brought us to Camp Kingston, where our final professional development session explored co-working culture. Fellows created Indeed accounts, practiced resume-building, and some even applied to remote jobs that sparked genuine interest. A mini concert next door added to the vibe an unexpected joy in the midst of preparation.

One of the most heartfelt moments came when Jo’l presented his Place Story. He had missed the original presentation due to illness but returned to share his voice and vision. The audience's thoughtful questions and warm presence made it clear: this was Jo’l’s moment, and he shone.

To close out the week, we celebrated at the CPW Community Gallery exhibition, what an honor to open alongside Larry Fink. The gallery’s mission to connect diverse communities through photography resonated deeply with us. Fellows showcased their evolution not just as individuals, but as a collective of storytellers, artists, and changemakers.

This week, we didn’t just finish a program, we evolved. From uncertainty to confidence, from curiosity to capability, from strangers to community.

Here's to all the ways we’ve grown.
Here’s to the evolution still to come.

Have a good weekend,

Place Corps Team 

:)

check out our red sail

fellow’s secret signatures hidden under the seat