Sarah Bloom, ’16

Meet this week’s campus celebrity: community service rock star Sarah Bloom!

(Sarah is on the right)

Name: Sarah Bloom

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Highland Park, IL

Major: Double major in social policy and sociology, minor in Spanish

1.     What have been your different roles in community service?

It started in Chicago in 2008. A friend and I co-founded a non-profit organization called An Extra Helping. Throughout high school, we offered volunteer opportunities for students to help support various community events. In essence, we were the middle man; event planners or CBO’s would contact us when they lacked sufficient volunteers and we would organize students to come in and fill those positions.  In New Orleans, I’ve been fortunate to work with many non-profits, but most of my work has been concentrated with Fuel the Future Foundation. For almost 2 years, I’ve served as a tutor and mentor, engaging in both the social and educational needs of under-resourced students. This semester, I’m AEPhi’s Community Service Chair, which has allowed me to extend my enthusiasm for community service to my sorority. It has been so heartwarming to have the support of AEPhi allowing me to take on new initiatives and offering assistance along the way.

2.     What is your favorite aspect of community service?

I think my favorite part of community service is knowing I can have a direct impact on the community at-large. Volunteerism comes from our ability to lend our time, energy and creativity to improve the lives of those surrounding us. You don’t need to have money or special training to do good things for good people who are so deserving and welcoming of your efforts. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you can help people who would have lacked the means otherwise.  

3.     What has your favorite project been and why?

I think my favorite project has been working with Fuel the Future Foundation. They have instilled in me the importance and power of unconditional love, especially in working with children. I’ve had one particular reading buddy since the inception of the organization and his academic and behavioral achievements have been nothing short of inspiring. I’m so incredibly proud of him and feel so lucky to be able to watch his success story from a courtside seat.

4.     What else do you hope to accomplish while in NOLA/at Tulane?

I’m just hoping to give back as much as I can. I don’t think I have any concrete goals in terms of service. However, It’s been eye-opening for me to be a city so full of life and spirit, despite all the hardship and adversity. It motivates me to keep going and keep finding new means to help others. I’m hoping to raise the awareness of Tulane kids to understand the issues in the New Orleans community, and one step further, raise their urgency to do something about it.