Nora DeMilta of Eastlake was one of 39 caring Baldwin Wallace University students who dedicated their 2017 winter break to making a difference through the BW Alternative Break service program.
The program facilitated four diverse community engagement projects with student volunteers traveling to San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago and Providence, Rhode Island. Each experience was led by a BW student with a University faculty or staff adviser providing support.
DeMilta, a graduate of Willoughby South High School majoring in theatre acting and directing and arts management and entrepreneurship, volunteered for the alternative break experience in Providence, Rhode Island. The group explored the theme of creating change through creative expression in partnership with Providence CityArts for Youth, Manton Avenue Project and Amos House. With CityArts, an organization that provides avenues to creativity, hope and inspiration for disadvantaged youth, the BW senior helped create murals and cardboard gingerbread houses at a middle school. The students cleaned up the clubhouse at MAP, which offers programs to enhance learning through playwriting. At Amos House, they held an art workshop that focused on “what hope means to you” for residents impacted by homelessness, addiction and incarceration. The group also had the opportunity to visit the Rhode Island School of Design’s RISD Museum and The Providence Athenaeum, an independent, member-supported library and cultural center.
The trip was led by BW student Kirsten Goddard with support from staff adviser Amy Faul.