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��Ӱֱ�� State students in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Leadership Summer Prep Academy (SPA) joined forces with Steuben County Habitat for Humanity to help with flood disaster relief.  

Heavy and persistent rain on Friday, Aug. 9 from Tropical Storm Debby caused flash floods that damaged countless homes, businesses, and farms just south of ��Ӱֱ��. Canisteo was one of the towns affected and Habitat for Humanity quickly altered a scheduled Brush with Kindness Event to focus on helping with cleanup efforts.  

Director of Global Engagement and Civic Wellbeing Cyan Corwine, partnered with Steuben County Habitat for Humanity to continue a long-standing collaboration with the students and staff involved with ASC’s EOP Summer Prep Academy. Nearly fifty students and staff from the EOP program were assigned to assist local families with clean-up around their property. 

“Without the ��Ӱֱ�� State EOP students, we would not have had the capacity to help so many residents in dire need,” commented Joy Overacker, community outreach director and resource development for Steuben County Habitat for Humanity. “When demolishing water-damaged walls and floors, hauling debris, and even “mucking flood mud,” the students did so with energy, enthusiasm, and care.” 

EOP Director Nadine Shardlow felt it was a privilege to witness the EOP students give back to the community. “I have dedicated my career to helping others. What makes this event incredibly special to me is that I had no idea where we would be assigned and as it turned out, we were assigned to a long-standing family home where one of my very dear friends lives with her daughter. The idea of having the privilege of showing up with two vans and two car loads of ��Ӱֱ�� State students was quite emotional and so very gratifying. I told the students whose house it was, and they jumped in feet first and worked their tails off all day.”  

EOP Mentor Diamond Reddick thought the experience was incredibly rewarding. “Seeing people lose everything was devastating gave me a new perspective on the importance of cherishing what we have. When I worked to clear out homes or help people access their belongings, I realized how crucial it is to appreciate the stability and comfort we often take for granted. The satisfaction of making a difference and witnessing the impact of my efforts was unforgettable.” 

“Working with EOP as a mentor has always been fulfilling but participating in workshops and being part of this program allowed me to learn and grow in ways beyond my regular job. It was a unique opportunity to make an impact in various ways and contribute meaningfully. Balancing this work with summer employment not only broadened my experience but also reinforced the value of giving back.”  

Civic Engagement is an integral component of EOP, and the program has partnered with Habitat for Humanity on multiple occasions. The project was just one of many activities that took place during the Summer Prep Academy.  

Habitat for Humanity Brush with Kindness Events like this one are about neighbors helping neighbors in times of need.  Shardlow continued, 

“I am over the moon grateful to have been part of this and I am proud to be the ��Ӱֱ�� State College EOP Momma.”  

Additional Quotes from participants: 

Simon Higby:
"Anything I could say would be indifferent to the feelings I felt. I wanted to cry seeing how difficult the flood had hit them. But in times like this those people needed a bridge, and we were there to be that bridge towards recovery." 

Mamadou Barry:
“In the past, I went through an extremely difficult situation, and I know how difficult it Is when you don't have anyone to help you. That's why I have promised myself always to be there for people who need help. Also, Prophet Mohamed said, ‘If you want Allah to help you, help his people.’ This means helping people is helping myself. In other words, making people’s lives easier and being there for them is a blessing to me. I love projects like this, and I am thrilled to be part of that project.”