Opportunity Northeast Celebrates the Year, Shared Values and More

Nearly 100 individuals working with Opportunity Northeast paused their busy schedules May 15 to celebrate completion of an academic year of progress and success. Community and campus leaders, community partners, faculty, students and staff were among the attendees – all there to strengthen bonds and the honor the collective work of helping to build a healthier, more connected, more equitable and vibrant community.

The invocation was delivered by Sima Thorpe, former director of GU’s Center for Community Action and Service Learning (now CCE), whose work was foundational to creation of the Opportunity Northeast initiative. Ellen Maccarone, GU’s Acting VP of Mission Integration, and Jene Ray, Executive Director of the ZoNE offered remarks of welcome and gratitude for the privilege of working together. Molly Ayers, assistant dean of GU’s Center for Community Engagement hosted the program.

Partners shared information illuminating how values at the foundation of Opportunity Northeast are expressed through shared work.  Emily Banick, Campus Kitchens manager and Pat Clelland, resident district manager of ZagDining spoke to value of Hearth.

“In the spirit of developing authentic relationships and fostering kinship,” Banick shared, “we strive to create a community of shared power, collective knowledge and communal space. We place relationships at the heart of our vision.”  They discussed how their partnership activates more than food – it sets the stage to come together in an authentic and respectful manner that nourishes all involved through such programs such as Logan Family dinners, Gonzaga Family Haven meals, O’Malley Meals with Seniors, and more.

Abranna Romero-Rocha, College Prep Counselor, College Success Foundation at John R. Rogers High School and Veronica Puente, former assistant director of GU’s Youth Programs and Initiatives dove into the value of Solidarity and Social Justice.  

“Solidarity and Social Justice encourages us to live into the call to be people with and for others,” Puente said. “Solidarity moves us beyond compassion toward an enduring commitment to realizing the common good. We challenge ourselves to adopt a social change orientation and commit to disrupting systems of injustice and oppression.”

They noted active projects over the past year, including the more than 630 local students who visited the “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit at Foley Center Library, as well as ongoing programs such as Campus Kids, Sparks, and GAME.

Joe Johnston, associate professor and chair of Sociology and Criminology, and Peggy Haun-McEwen, director of community at the Gonzaga Family Haven, presented the value of Reciprocity and Mutuality. 

“The value of reciprocity encourages us to strive to develop democratic partnerships that are built on trust and mutual respect with shared vision, voice and power,” Johnston said. “And to develop sustainable partnerships that are dynamic and generative as the needs of our students and communities change. We value community members’ expertise, recognizing them as sources of perspective and wisdom.”

Peggy Haun-McEwen emphasized the gift of hope volunteers bring to the Haven, through positive encounters, activities, and ongoing demonstrations of commitment to a strong future. She reminded volunteers of how much they learn from the perspectives and wisdom of the children and families at the Haven.

Participants departed with clearer understanding of how these values are embodied and reflected in the work underway through Opportunity Northeast.