Marybeth Apriceno is a young professional dedicated to volunteerism and giving back to the community. She is an advocate for immigrant rights, and her volunteer work is motivated by her desire to help immigrants transition into the U.S. Marybeth has been volunteering with Riis Settlement’s Immigrant Services department since October 2012, as both a Conversation Partner with intermediate to advanced ESOL students and a Civics tutor. She is a dedicated volunteer who takes the initiative by stepping up to leadership roles in the programs she works with. So far, she has enjoyed working with the department’s programs because she feels that her connection with the students grows stronger with every class. “Volunteering is all about the connections you make and the people you meet,” she says. She believes that Riis Settlement’s Immigrant Services programs are powerful, and that they provide an important service to the community. She is proud to take part in the department’s mission to serve as a catalyst for change in the immigrant population of Queensbridge.
Marybeth lives by the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” She says, “If you combat a problem that you think is important, then you will see real change.” Marybeth’s diverse volunteer experiences include a summer in Sri Lanka, during which she counseled victims of sexual abuse and secured three grants for the Emerge Lanka Foundation. Her current volunteer work with Riis Settlement’s Immigrant Services department as a Conversation Partner and a Civics Tutor continues to demonstrate how one person’s actions can have a positive impact on the lives of many.
Volunteer Services Contact:
Rachel Sangalang – rsangalang@riissettlement.org
Amita Umaranikar – aumaranikar@riissettlement.org
