5/12 - 5/17 Week in Review

Putting on the first top coats of color! 

Hello Friends,

Word of the week: Love

As we near the end of programming, we centered this week around the word love, a core part of our mission to Know, Love, and Serve. We reflected on our dream jobs (real or imagined) and talked about what it means to pursue what we love. For some fellows, the future is already unfolding with opportunities to continue working with Service Study partners they’ve grown close to, evidence of how love leads the way in our next steps.

With Kingston Land Trust, we had the joy of welcoming Sasha, the community garden steward. She generously praised the fellows for their hard work and shared her gratitude for the growth and transformation of the space. It's always inspiring to witness people thriving in what they love to do. Working alongside Shaniqua, the KLT team shared herbal knowledge and plant wisdom during another sunny and productive session literally rooting ourselves in nature.

Back at homeroom, the kitchen was alive with energy. Fellows prepared smashburgers, empanadas, and a special dish of rasta pasta. This meal holds deep personal meaning for one fellow and is part of their place story. Although they weren’t able to share it back in February, they’ll present it this Thursday at 2:30 PM at homeroom, stop by if you can! The fellows worked independently and seamlessly, creating big, beautiful meals in our little kitchen. Their growth is tangible. 

Later in the afternoon, the fellows made pizza from scratch. As they kneaded the dough, the room filled with sensory delight and many were transported back to childhood memories. While the dough was resting under towels, a few accidental elbow imprints may have made their way in, but we like to think it just added to the flavor! Choosing toppings and sharing laughs made for a joyful and delicious way to end a Monday.

With our CPW Community Exhibition approaching, fellows finalized their photo selections and made curatorial decisions about how to display their work. It was a proud moment to see their prints in hand and excitement buzzing around the room. They offered thoughtful feedback on framing and sequencing, supported by the expert guidance of Fellowship Director/CPW instructor, Lesly. In the afternoon they worked with  Aurora put finishing touches on the yearbook, and sewed screen-printed canvases for the exhibit.

We can’t wait to share the fellows’ work at CPW on Saturday, May 24th from 5:00–8:00 PM, hope to see you there!

At HRMM, our second-to-last boatbuilding session was full of finishing touches. Fellows applied the bottom paint and fitted the brass keel piece. We completed the final sanding of the hull, cleaned the interior, taped the waterline, and painted the daggerboard, rudder, and tiller. We also finished and oiled the mast, boom, and yard. Our next session will entail rigging the sail which is the final step!

Thursday was a full and emotional day at homeroom. We held a practice run of the final presentations, reflecting on how far we've come together over the past nine months. For professional development, fellows created their resumes and discussed what makes a strong application stand out. We shared dos and don’ts, laughed through some cover letter bloopers, and emphasized the importance of personalizing each application. Fellows were encouraged to move beyond AI-generated content and basic templates because authenticity is what sets them apart. And that’s what Place Corps is all about.

On Saturday, we participated in the 2nd Annual Hudson Valley Kite Fest, hosted by MyKingstonKids. The free, family-friendly event featured kite-making workshops, live entertainment, local vendors, and creative play activities at the MyKingstonKids Play Café. The fellows volunteered in different stations and helped table for Place Corps as well. A real joy for all kite lovers! This event is a fundraiser to ensure that they can keep the event free and accessible to all, a reminder of how community events like this are built on shared love and collective joy.

Wishing you a weekend full of everything you love. 

Have a good weekend,

Place Corps Team 

:)

Planting lettuce at the Rondout Community Garden

Volunteering at MyKingstonKid's 2nd Annual Hudson Valley Kite Fest