Bonner Foundation  •  10 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540  •  609-924-6663 office  •  609-683-4626 fax  • info@bonner.org

In the third decade of the Bonner program we must develop a national community council comprised of large nonprofit organizations that have chapters all throughout the country. This council would be made up of organizations that focus on the major issues of the day like youth development to green sustainability. The foundation could potentially a constant stream of Bonners to these groups around the country in exchange engagement and partnership that would help Bonner expand and sculpt the face of civic engagement at campuses that are just beginning to realize the benefits of fostering university-community relationships. 

On a local level, directors and coordinators must continue to encourage and support students in transitioning from performing direct service to conducting community based research and studying issue briefs. All Bonners must be better educated about the needs that exist in the communities in which they serve and how they can address those needs. The issues to impact resource on the wiki outlines what campuses can do to take those next steps to raise awareness about issues and truly make a difference on a policy level. Some campuses are building this into their programs but it needs to be done everywhere by everybody… Bonner network and beyond.

Educated, compassionate, young individuals who invest in their communities are a force to be reckoned with. We must educate our younger siblings, cousins, and friends about the importance of civic engagement and must urge them to join the Bonner Program. Those closest to us must stand in our places when we leave Bonner so that they can continue where we left off and plow ahead. 

I recently spoke with a mentor of mine about the importance of believing in an idea. She said that most people stop dreaming when they forget how powerful they are. Bonner family, never forget how powerful you are! Strive to empower others and treat your ideas like their own. Andres Lara, also known as “the Cuban Guy”, said “if you desire your dreams as bad as a homeless person desires shelter, as bad as a starving person desires food, or a drowning person desires air. At that moment you will make your dreams come true.” Relentlessly pursue your dreams until you attain them and then dream bigger.