By: Essence Buckman, senior writer

“I get a rush of joy when I work within my community. I am a Spartanburg native, who is also the product of a low-income household. My grandparents were low-income, as were their grandparents,” says Ni’Asia Daniels ’18. “So knowing that I can help to make a positive change in the cyclic nature of a predominantly impoverished group of people due to generations of financial disconnect, I am grateful to be in the position I am as an intergenerational fellow.”

In the past year, Wofford has made strides in various ways to implement community involvement with the surrounding area. Under the direction of Dr. Kara Bopp, Wofford received a $12,000 grant from CIC (Council of Independent Colleges) and AARP Foundation. The grant pays a stipend to 11 student fellows from August 2017 – May 2018 who organize and lead a series of workshops that will allow Wofford students and low-income older adults to interact.

These weekly one-hour workshops encourage creativity through writing, drawing and other artistic activities, and they take place at a variety of community locations.

At the end of the school year, fellows will exhibit a collection of creative works showcasing the intergenerational learning and needs of this invisible population. The personal connections – within and across the age groups – will support the social, cognitive and emotional needs of the older adults while providing an impactful civic engagement opportunity for our students.

Q: How did you become a fellow?

Daniels: I became an INTGEN Fellow by simply applying. I checked the daily announcements toward the end of the Spring 2017 semester, saw the job possibility, submitted the application and was notified over the summer of my acceptance as a fellow.

Q: What do fellows have to do and what are the incentives of being a fellow?

Daniels: The fellowship program is a commitment to a 10-week program in the fall and 10 week program in the spring. As a fellow, I am required to allocate two to four hours a week creating workshop ideas, recruiting classmates to attend the weekly workshops and preparing for the workshops by picking up prizes for residents who attend or props, depending on the nature of the workshop being hosted. Post workshops, I also have to compile any information such as produced writings and/or art from the attendees and submit a survey and summary of each workshop. Fellows receive a $1200 stipend for their hard work, and payment is divided into two equal payments at the end of both the fall and spring semester.

Q: Why were you interested in becoming a fellow?

Daniels: I was interested in applying to become a fellow because of the nature of the grant and the work I would be required to do. As a fellow, I work in with low-income or disabled older adults in a local housing authority authorized apartment complex. I spend an hour each Tuesday at Camp Croft Courts with the intent on engaging those who attend, students and older adults alike, and encouraging them to think. I like to do ice breaker topics or those where an individual can apply both past and present experiences, to discuss how they would like to see change for the future. Because I understand the importance of communication, I believe that communication from older individuals and their aged wisdom allow for the possibility for newer ideas to develop to repair socio-economic, political and social constructs.

Q: Do you feel that this opportunity will help more Wofford students become involved with the surrounding community? Do you feel that is important?

Daniels: Yes, I do believe this fellowship program will help initiate the assimilation of Wofford students, and hopefully faculty and staff, to want to become more involved in the community. I think by having opportunities such as the fellowship workshops, students, faculty and staff can see the importance of community outside of the constrained “Wofford bubble.” These opportunities are necessary because helping to build a community also helps to build a sense of self and to instill important moral values.

Daniels teaches workshops at 111 Hanover Place Spartanburg, S.C. at a location called “Camp Croft Courts” on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. She encourages anyone interested in volunteering to come by. More information can be found at http://sites.wofford.edu/boppkl/home/cic-aarp-grant/.