Fresno State student Noel Aguilar knows firsthand the positive impact local nonprofit, community-benefit organizations have on the people they serve because she has experienced that support. Now, it is her turn to give back to the community, as the chair of the Humanics board of trustees awarding grant money to an organization providing environmental justice programming.
The College of Social Sciences senior is participating in the Humanics Students4Giving grantmaking class that will award $13,000 to two local organizations at 6 p.m. Monday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at Arte Américas (1630 Van Ness Ave.) in Fresno. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. RSVP at bit.ly/s4gcelebration.
The project is meaningful for Aguilar because she was once a recipient of resources, including wellness services, from an organization supporting Tribal Nations and Communities. She also attended EOC Youthbuild Charter School of California, a school focused on re-engaging young people who had dropped out of school. While attending, Aguilar helped build homes for those in need in Madera.
“Without the EOC, I wouldn’t have been able to make a living or graduate high school,” Aguilar said. “Those experiences really showed me how invaluable these organizations are, not only for myself but for the whole community.”
Now, Aguilar is looking forward to graduating from Fresno State in December with her bachelor’s degree in sociology and American Indian studies. She will couple that with her Humanics coursework and a certificate in social justice and social change as part of an interdisciplinary major. Aguilar plans on earning her master’s in social work with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker and continuing to serve the community.
The grants are part of an innovative course in the Humanics program in which Fresno State students identify community needs, invite local nonprofits to submit a proposal and review applications to determine which organizations will receive funding. Humanics offers students hands-on learning experiences in philanthropy and leadership development while working directly with local organizations.
“Anytime I have the availability and opportunity to connect hands-on with the community, I try to take it,” Aguilar said. “It makes me feel useful, empowered and keeps me humble when I can participate in classes that give back to the community.”
This year, the Humanics Students4Giving Project is awarding two grants of $6,500 each to organizations that focus on youth education and environmental justice programming. The youth education grant is going to Reading Heart, a local organization that provides donated books to children with limited access. The environmental justice grant is being awarded to Every Neighborhood Partnership, which focuses on building healthy and thriving neighborhoods.
“Our unique, project-based approach to learning in the Humanics program helps develop exceptional leaders, enhanced organizations and enriched communities,” said director Dr. Matthew Ari Jendian.
“This grantmaking course prepares students for a career in the sector by helping them build relationships and connecting them to a lifelong community of alumni and local organizations,” said instructor Adrian Gomez, an alumnus of the program.
For more information, contact Jessica Piffero at jpiffero@csufresno.edu or 559.278.1645.
