On September 12th, 2015, TDN BOLD Initiative intern Michaela Jarvis had a fruitful and insightful focus group with Barnard College student volunteers where they discussed and layout the action plan for TDN Fashion Health Club. The year-long club will engage low-income background high school teen girls in Brooklyn and will be connected to our local implementation of the new U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) -SDG #3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. SDG #4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all. SDG #5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls-. This focus group session was made possible because of a partnership between Transdiaspora Network, Barnard College Civic Engagement Program and Medgar Evers College Upward Bound Program. Read the volunteers’ reflection piece below.

L to R: Malika Alexandre; ME Upward Bound Program Coordinator; Michaela Jarvis, TDN BOLD Initiative intern; Abigail Andrews, Barnard College student; Arlena McClenton, Barnard College student; Aneliza Ruiz, Barnard College student.

Reflection written by Barnard College students Abigail Andrews, Arlena McClenton, and Aneliza Ruiz. Sept., 16th, 2015

The Barnard Reach Out (BRO) team had a great experience on Saturday, September 12th; we felt as if we learnt a lot about Transdiaspora Network (TDN), Michaela, each other, and ourselves. We were each able to bring our own voice and story while thinking about fashion, health, womanhood, and mentorship.  In the future, we wish to help Michaela form a solid plan and list of events (for each club meeting), help her connect with resources her club may need, and have her come and visit us at Barnard College! Volunteering in Brooklyn was a great opportunity and an opportunity we would like to continue.  In volunteering, we get to participate in an exchange of diverse talents and backgrounds with communities and ourselves.   While we helped Michaela come up with an action plan for her club, she helped us gain a deeper understanding of self-confidence.  Ariel gave us great lessons in networking and hard-work.  We hope to see everyone we worked with again soon!

L to R: Malika Alexandre; ME Upward Bound Program Coordinator; Abigail Andrews, Barnard College student; Aneliza Ruiz, Barnard College student; Michaela Jarvis, TDN BOLD Initiative intern; Arlena McClenton, Barnard College student; Ariel Rojas, TDN President/Founder.