2 minute read
Strong Communities
LEADING FOR STRONG COMMUNITIES
Roan Scholars and Alumni are leading throughout our region to help build stronger, healthier communities. Here are a few stories of how they are making a difference.
Roan Alumna Rubi Estrada ’21 is leading for a stronger community through her work as a Services Coordinator at OASIS Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Avery County, North Carolina.
Upon graduation, Estrada was determined to return home to Avery County. She wanted to serve the community that welcomed her so warmly when she immigrated there with her family as a child. Her role with OASIS has allowed her to do exactly that.
Her work underscores the importance of a collaborative approach to leadership. “The main focus is to bring agencies and community leaders together to serve and empower victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Estrada. Her work involves a range of stakeholders, including school and college counselors, community
Rubi Estrada ’21
organizations, and government officials. Her role also involves finding new ways to deliver prevention and education classes, including partnering with summer camps to deliver engaging content to kids. “It’s a challenging field,” Estrada said. “But I am glad to be making a difference.”
This year's Roan Impact Focus topic — selected by Scholars — was "COVID-19 Recovery." The year saw many projects undertaken by Roan Scholars to help build and strengthen communities. Here are a few of those projects.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS DISCUSSION
In partnership with Branch House Family Justice Center, Sally Chikomb ’24 and Rebecca Frazier ’23 hosted a discussion on the effects COVID-19 has had on domestic violence and sexual assault as well as what Branch House is doing to aid victims.
NARCAN TRAINING
Nelya Stynka ’23 and Morgan Blazer ’25 organized a Narcan training event to help educate students and combat the opioid epidemic.
SENIOR LIVING PEN PAL PROJECT
Morgan Blazer ’25 launched a Pen Pal Project in partnership with Abundant Living Christian Community (ALCC), a residential community for the aging. The goal was to foster meaningful connections, combatting social isolation.
NURSE CARE PACKAGE COLLECTION
Class of ’22s Jordan Teague, Casey Davidson, Addie Fairchild, and Clara Reynolds, along with Riley Skaggs ’25, packed and delivered more than 50 gift boxes for local COVID-19 ward nurses at Johnson City Medical Center.
VITAMIN-D SUPPLEMENTS
Pate Anglin ’25 and Sam Garcia ’23 distributed Vitamin-D supplements and educational flyers to students.
