�鶹��ý

For Abby Arena �鶹��ý�25, a fourth-year art major with a history minor, it�鶹��ý�s the people she�鶹��ý�s met and the communities she�鶹��ý�s been part of that have made the biggest impact during her time at Pace.

Abby never had an interest in working with children. �鶹��ý�It wasn�鶹��ý�t my typical area,�鶹��ý� she admits. But part of the requirement for her peace and justice studies class was civic engagement hours, and when her friends chose a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that provides free community activities for children of all ages, she decided to give it a shot. �鶹��ý�It just sounded like a fun experience.�鶹��ý�

Take advantage of everything that is presented to you.

Her experience volunteering with POW�鶹��ý�which creates a space where neurodivergent and neurotypical children come together through dance, music, art, play, and more�鶹��ý�has become a surprising highlight of Abby's Pace journey. She described the work as fun and engaging, and yet could clearly see the huge impact for the children and families. �鶹��ý�Families with neurodivergent children sometimes have limited resources, so finding a free, local program where the kids could enjoy themselves was great,�鶹��ý� she says.

Though volunteering with children was outside her usual comfort zone, Abby embraced the challenge. �鶹��ý�It was a good experience to get into an environment that was so different from anything I was used to,�鶹��ý� she said. �鶹��ý�It didn�鶹��ý�t feel like a requirement.�鶹��ý� Though she�鶹��ý�d never considered working with children, she now wants to continue supporting POW�鶹��ý�s mission in the future. �鶹��ý�I�鶹��ý�d love to go back once my schedule allows it.�鶹��ý�

POW stands for Power of We, the concept of togetherness promoted by The Power of We resonates with Abby deeply. She credits the relationships she�鶹��ý�s built and the people she�鶹��ý�s met as the most impactful part of her time at Pace. Abby observes, �鶹��ý�Pace really does have a diversity of interests that has brought together the people that are now the most important to me.�鶹��ý�

Pace really does have a diversity of interests that has brought together the people that are now the most important to me.

As the 2024�鶹��ý�2025 school year begins, Abby advises first-year students to embrace every opportunity. �鶹��ý�Taking advantage of any resources you can is important, even if they seem daunting,�鶹��ý� she says. She also highlights the value of strong relationships: �鶹��ý�Professors should be seen as mentors and resources. They�鶹��ý�re more than willing to help outside of class.�鶹��ý�

And of course, she stresses not to overlook experiences like civic engagement hours, which, for Abby, opened doors she never expected, like her work with POW. �鶹��ý�Take advantage of everything that is presented to you. Even if it seems like too much, or something that's just not for you,�鶹��ý� she says. �鶹��ý�There�鶹��ý�s never going to be any downside in trying something out.�鶹��ý�

Learn more about and how you can support their mission.