Stetson University Center for Community Engagement | Community Impact

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  • Summer of Service – Abrace

    by Alice Martineli

    Working with children is one of my passions, and being able to sit, play, and talk with them is one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had during my Summer of Service.

    I am very happy to help in different ways. I’m learning so much through this experience, and I’m very grateful to be part of this work.

    Having the first contact with kids undergoing cancer treatment was challenging, but I discovered that I had so much more to gain than I was giving.

    I was able to connect with the kids from the very beginning. Each day I get more amazed by how strong each one of them is. Despite everything they’re going through, they still manage to keep a shining smile on their faces!

    I’ve also been deeply involved in building a brand-new organic garden at our new Abrace headquarters. This project has been a labor of love, designed to grow fresh, pesticide-free produce like carrots, potatoes, etc that will soon be part of the weekly food baskets we provide to families in treatment.

    What makes this initiative so meaningful to me is the long-term impact. By adding organic produce to our baskets, we are improving the quality of food they receive while actively addressing food insecurity and helping combat malnutrition among the children we support.

    This experience has reminded me of the value of small, hands-on actions. Sometimes, the most meaningful change starts with a shovel, some seeds, and a lot of love.

  • Summer of Service – Red Cross in Belarus

    by Kira

    From day one, my internship with the Red Cross in Belarus has been so meaningful! I have found that working on financial planning has been especially interesting to me.

    Using my analytical skills to set fundraising goals with my team made me feel like I was making a real difference. Seeing how donations and financial planning help the Red Cross grow and support more people is truly inspiring.

    It feels great to contribute to an organization that shares my values and helps those in need.

  • Summer of Service – Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe and Hospital Pequeno Príncipe

    by Julia Ramos

    My experience at Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe and Hospital Pequeno Príncipe in Brazil has been nothing short of transformative. This journey has helped define the kind of compassionate and informed professional I aspire to become.

    I had the honor of presenting a workshop and giving a lecture on my experience as an international student in the U.S. and the differences between the psychology field there and in Brazil.

    Sharing my journey and insights with fellow students was a true highlight. It was deeply fulfilling to connect through shared passion and exchange perspectives that cross borders.

    At the outpatient care clinic, I administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) to patients before their medical appointments.

    This initial step of psychological screening plays a crucial role in understanding the mental state of each patient and has taught me how subtle but significant mental health indicators can be in clinical practice.

    At the hospital, I shadowed psychologists in a wide range of specialties, including neurology, oncology, nephrology, short bowel syndrome, and the surgery ICU.

    Each specialty comes with its own challenges, approaches, and patient needs.Being immersed in these different areas has sparked deep reflection about my role as a future healthcare professional.

  • Summer of Service – Cellular Biology lab at Fiocruz

    by Isabelle Condor

    My internship in the Cellular Biology lab at Fiocruz in Brazil has been so inspiring with hands-on work and meaningful engagement with the institute’s mission.

    Fiocruz is a public research institute that promotes public health and biomedical research in Brazil and Latin America, with a focus on addressing diseases that disproportionately affect low-income populations.

    In the lab, I got to work on a research project focused on developing experimental chemotherapy for Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people across Latin America and has increasingly become a global health issue.

    During my first week, I learned how to work with synthesized compounds, how to apply them in the animal models, and assist with the preparation of experimental solutions, a process that gave me insight into the ethical biomedical practices that are necessary to protect the life of the animals and infected patients.

    I also learned how to isolate macrophages, which are key immune cells that engulf and digest pathogens. And I learned how to stain both macrophages and cardiomyocytes, the muscle cells that enable the heart to contract.

    These staining techniques are essential for enhancing the visualization of cellular structures under the microscope.

    One highlight: After completing essential training sessions, I was able to collect and handle mice, as well as perform macrophage collection, without the need for supervision. This was an important step in consolidating my skills and confidence in the lab.

    Outside the lab, I got to participate in weekly seminars and lab meetings where researchers present and discuss the latest advances in the field. These conversations have deepened my understanding of how science evolves through collaboration and shared knowledge.

    I also got to work alongside visiting researchers from Belgium, learning firsthand how international partnerships are essential to advancing drug development for neglected diseases.

    It’s inspiring to witness the way this lab brings together scientists from different backgrounds and countries to work toward a common goal: improving global health.

    I’m so grateful to be learning from passionate scientists who are committed to creating solutions for communities often left out of healthcare discussions.

    Fun fact: “I had the unexpected opportunity to meet Natália Falavigna, a Brazilian world medalist in Taekwondo, who happened to be visiting the institute, and she took a picture of our lab team!