LJ Kehler prepares a space for donation distribution at The Center in Utica
LJ Kehler ’25 is one of 31 student fellows who completed research with a community-based organization in upstate New York this summer as a part of the Upstate Institute Summer Field School. She describes the project below in her own words:
Summertime in Hamilton has afforded me the incredible opportunity to explore the nonprofit realm in central New York. Upon my acceptance as a fellow with the Upstate Institute, I was placed with a refugee resettlement organization called The Center, a Utica-based nonprofit. Since that time, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in work experience that has been invaluable to both me and the community.
The center’s mission, exercised by its dedicated employees, is all about promoting a welcoming environment in Utica and the surrounding Mohawk Valley. The range of job titles at The Center speaks clearly to the complexity that is refugee resettlement, yet everyone plays a vital role in the system. I’ve gradually acquainted myself with employees who work exclusively in Ukrainian resettlement — teachers, administrators, and a variety of program coordinators, all of whom go above and beyond their posted job titles. Nonprofit work is a sacrifice that many are unwilling to make, but individuals at The Center have demonstrated that this type of work provides a reward of immeasurable value, far beyond a paycheck.
While my role at The Center was limited by a 10-week time constraint, it nonetheless allowed me to practice community service while simultaneously doing meaningful work in the organization’s best interest. Prior to my summer experience, I was prepared to develop a database system for effective donation management at The Center. My analytical and data-driven mind felt enthusiastic and comfortable working with numbers to make solutions and implement them into the existing donation process.
Upon arrival, I was pleased to work with quantitative data from previous donation drives, but I was arguably more enthusiastic taking on other meaningful tasks. For example, I assisted volunteers with organizing donated clothing and other items into our inventory, attended community education events on a biweekly basis, and painted a space where clients can shop for donated items in the future.
The breadth of my experiences granted me an enhanced perspective on the reality of nonprofit work. While not always glamorous, it provides an immeasurable amount of generosity and care for the refugee community in Central New York and beyond. As a Global Public and Environmental Health minor, my work at The Center aligns with my personal values and priorities as it relates to my studies and future career path. Stepping outside of Hamilton and into the larger community helped me bridge the gap between academia and what it is meant for: to foster a better environment for all.
Being a Field School Fellow has been tremendously important for my growth as a student and a community member. Community-based research programs like the Upstate Institute should be modeled at other upper-level institutions, for they provide learning through service for motivated students with a passion for creating change. Going forward, I am confident that my experiences this summer will remind me of the responsibility that I have as a Colgate student to do good in the community and beyond, through applying my knowledge and learning to those in need.