Think Outside the Box Scholarship Committee members present their scholarship to Jai’da Richardson. From left, committee Secretary Janine Morgan, Chair Queen Johnson, Treasurer Joshua Holmes, Jai’da Richardson, Melyne Merritt and Co-Chair Lanette Caldwell.
STATEN ISLAND — Workers at Staten Island Developmental Center turned the tragic loss of a co-worker into a living tribute that also evolved into a dynamic union-building exercise.
CSEA activist Armando Bonds died in a motorcycle accident last year. Known for always thinking outside the box and living life with zest and gusto, Bonds’ friends and co-workers at our union’s Staten Island Developmental Center Local decided to honor his memory by establishing their own scholarship.
In the process, they also became stronger union advocates.
Local members formed a scholarship committee, called ‘Think Outside The Box’ in honor of Bonds, and immediately got to work on getting the scholarship established.
“We put a lot of work into it,” said Scholarship Committee co-chair Queen Johnson, a direct support assistant. “We met every week and everyone was dedicated. We have the same goals and everyone got along.”
Throughout one year, the committee met weekly to strategize and make decisions. They planned fundraisers at bowling alleys, raffled off baskets during Black History Month and held a popular international food and cake sale.
“We’re not just going to wait around,” said Janine Morgan, a group home supervisor. “We are raising funds, helping families and making a positive impact.”
Their hard work impressed Staten Island Developmental Center Local President Jeanette Mitchell.
Staten Island Developmental Center Local officers, from left, Secretary Alisha Hunter, Treasurer Rondell Radcliffe, 1st Vice President Shameeka Hunter, President Jeanette Mitchell, 2nd Vice President Danny Coston and 3rd Vice President Alphonzo Stubbs.
“I want my members to see that CSEA is much bigger than Staten Island,” said Mitchell. “I want to leave it stronger than how I found it. They don’t mind working. I didn’t know they were working so hard.”
The first student and family assisted by this committee is Jai’da Richardson, a freshman at New Jersey City University.
In addition to having a 3.5 grade point average and involvement in extracurricular activities, scholarship applicants were also required to submit an essay explaining the impact CSEA has had on their family.
“It made me feel like I’ve accomplished so much,” said Richardson during a recent scholarship dinner at which the committee presented her with the $2,000 scholarship. She would like to become a teacher or psychologist.
Her mother, Reonoka Reed, a direct support assistant, said “we are so honored to receive this scholarship.”
For those members working on the committee the role of our union and their own involvement and leadership became clearer.
“The work on this committee was fulfilling,” said Melyne Merritt, a direct support assistant. “I went to college, but didn’t finish so it made me feel good to help someone.”
“In all the years I’ve been here (24 years), this has been the most active I have ever been,” said Lanette Caldwell, a group home supervisor who is planning to become a shop steward this year. “This is a new era.
Now, we have many things to keep us active and keep young people involved with positive things. It’s important to see that our union is backing us up.”
For CSEA Staten Island Developmental Center Local officers and activists, the tireless work of the scholarship committee serves as a template for the work our members can and will continue to perform for the greater community.
“We want to show our compassion not just to fight for people’s rights, but also to engage and support community efforts,” said Joshua Holmes, a direct support assistant.
The committee is now planning to raise more money to provide an additional scholarship and possibly expand the competition to employees who may want to attend college.
“We want to build on what the committee has done,” said Raul Guzman, a direct support assistant who now chairs the committee.
— David Galarza
