Shinnyo Fellowship - Shun Kato '21
Email: shkato@chapman.edu
Website: sef.org/programs/shinnyo-fellows-program/
Overview of scholarly research/creative activity: The Shinnyo Fellowship is a 10-month paid fellowship, which involves working with a community placement as well as the Center for Undergraduate Excellence. Fellows are expected to implement the Shinnyo Foundation’s peace-building aspects, creating “infinite paths to peace,” while reflecting on personal growth.
Specific projects working on:
For this fellowship, I chose to work with Higher Ground Youth and Family Services.
My initiatives include:
1. A human trafficking prevention program for local junior high and high school students. The program will include a 3 or 5 day curriculum in which staff members from Higher Ground will go into different schools and teach students about various aspects of HT prevention - Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships, Labor vs. Sex Trafficking/red flags of human Trafficking, and being safe while using social media.
2. Outreach with families and extended communities of the students, teaching them basic First-Aid, hands only CPR, and AED use. Additionally hold Q & A's/information session for those who are interested in COVID-19/COVID-19 Vaccine information.
3. Developing a STEM curriculum for all students (2nd Graders - High Schoolers & teens) to ignite passion and empower students that careers in this field are possible for them. Also organizing a STEM fair at HG for students to present their science experiments to friends and family.
4. Creating a recreational baseball and soccer team for youth to compete against one another. Allow students to feel and experience the importance of companionship and teamwork when playing organized sports and different aspects of their life.
5. Assisting Chapman's Center for Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) with writing blogs, managing social media, and overall, promoting undergraduate research and creative activity.
When students are needed: Students can apply in Spring 2021 for 2021-2022.
Expected time commitment for students: 10-month PAID fellowship
Requirements: A graduate (Fall '21 or Spring '22) from Chapman University who is looking to make a difference in their local communities. Graduating students can apply in Spring 2021 for 2022-2023 term.
What would students who wish to work with you be doing? Working with local non-profit organizations, spearheading projects they are personally passionate about. Creating more peace within our communities.
Additional Information: The Shinnyo Fellowship is perfect for allow recent post-graduates to transition into the working world without feeling too overwhelmed, and providing a platform for fellows to explore their interests. This is a great experience for those wanting to step foot in the non-profit world as well.