AMHERST, N.Y. -- Daemen College student volunteers assisted with major renovations underway on a building in Buffalo that will house refugees for a community outreach project done for a college class.  

First-year students participated in the project for an introductory multidisciplinary course taught by Dr. Mary Fox, associate professor of early childhood education. For the volunteer project, students pitched in with refurbishment work on a West Ferry Street building that will provide housing for new refugees. The effort is being overseen by the refugee organization HEAL International.

“This project gave students the opportunity to do hands-on work on an initiative that will greatly benefit the refugee population in our community, while also gaining a better understanding of the challenges refugees face when they first arrive here,” said Fox.

While taking part in the service learning project, students had the chance to volunteer with a Somalian refugee who talked about his life experience since leaving his home country.

Daemen student volunteers were Brooklyn Crockton of Rochester; Annamarie DiaPaul of Lockport; Samantha Doyle of Newfane; Victoria Geil of Alden; Rachel Jankowski of Buffalo; Sarah Kaiser of Tonawanda; Steven Mason of Buffalo; Rachel Roberson of Tonawanda; Rayne Rogers of Little Valley; Kayla Szefel of Lancaster; and Brady Williams of Lakewood.

The project was facilitated by Dr. Sharon Benz, community coordinator of the Daemen Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement.