Be the Change You Want to See: Altruism Among Student Volunteers
What inspires a student to become a Change Warrior? For BA in Disability Studies major Harmony Olayiwola and BA in Psychology student Ashley Fuentes-Miranda, it began with a simple urge to serve. Both found themselves drawn to the Change Warriors program, a student leadership initiative at CUNY SPS that empowers individuals to create real change within their communities. Their journeys reveal how structured volunteering, shared purpose, and supportive peers can motivate anyone to turn compassion into action.
To learn more, Kiosk managing editor Nasreen Quadir sat down with Harmony and Ashley to discuss their experiences with Change Warriors and what volunteering means to them.
What first inspired you to join Change Warriors?
Harmony Olayiwola: When I first heard about the Change Warriors, I was eager to join because I enjoy serving others. Community service, engagement, and advocacy come naturally to me. I’ve volunteered in different settings, and what drew me to this program is how well structured, flexible, empowering, and deeply meaningful it is. I also appreciate that it recognizes and celebrates student involvement in community engagement, which continues to motivate me in making a difference.
Ashley Fuentes: When I heard about the Change Warriors program, it was very exciting for me. At the time I was volunteering for an organization called Believe New York for a few months which was going great. I was happy to join a program where all of the members were equally driven to help make a change in their communities. It was profound to see that no matter how broken society may be, there is a growing number of people who want to see change.
When you think about the work you’ve done this semester, what experience stands out the most to you?
Harmony Olayiwola: This semester has been both challenging and fulfilling. I’ve continued to serve through volunteer work and I hold leadership positions in the Human Relations & Sociology Club at CUNY SPS. One meaningful experience I recall was volunteering as a support specialist at Christ Life Ministries Inc., where I helped individuals with disabilities access care and essential services. That work was deeply rewarding and reminded me why advocacy matters. I also enjoyed creating a digital portfolio on OpenLab with my peers, showcasing our shared learning and achievements as a club.
Ashley Fuentes: I graduated in May of this year [2025], but during my time at CUNY SPS and participating with the Change Warriors, I felt that it was a blessing. Some experiences that stand out to me were helping individuals through case management and volunteering in food and clothing drives in underprivileged communities. Another memorable moment was being able to collaborate with members from Believe New York in research studies and presenting the findings at APA 2025.
A lot of students juggle work, classes, and personal commitments. What makes volunteering worth your time despite all that?
Harmony Olayiwola: Although life can get busy, balancing work, classes, and parenting, volunteering gives purpose to it all. Volunteering is worth my time because it gives meaning to everything else I’m doing. When life gets busy, giving back grounds me. It’s a way to practice what I learn academically, connect with people, and advance in my personal and professional goals.
Ashley Fuentes: As a mother I’m raising a toddler, balancing night shifts, and school. Volunteering helped me see the results of the sacrifices that I was making. I met individuals whose lives were falling apart and over time I assisted them with the resources they needed in finding a home and employment. Seeing people get on their feet while I was making my own sacrifices was very meaningful to me
Has being part of Change Warriors changed how you view community or your role in it?
Harmony Olayiwola: A significant value of the Change Warriors program is how it provides access to people and they can essentially climb up the ladder. It offers opportunities to grow, network, and learn real-life experience as a non-traditional student. It has expanded my knowledge in how to serve, where to serve, and the purpose of engaging in civic activities, irrespective of who you are or what you do.
Ashley Fuentes: Being a part of a Change Warriors program has changed how I view my community and my role in it. I certainly feel that being able to help in the smallest way possible can act like a ripple and impact someone else’s life. In my community, if I’m able to advocate for a neighbor that is struggling, I now view that as an opportunity to step up to the plate. There are so many individuals suffering in silence and all they need is that push to get back up.
“I believe in modeling the change I want to see in the world.” -Harmony
How does it feel to see the direct impact of your work such as serving meals or cleaning up spaces?
Harmony Olayiwola: I love the joy that comes from seeing people smile because of the work we do. Some results aren’t visible right away, but hearing how support has positively impacted others is powerful. For example, through my role at the NYC Alliance for Sexual Assault Prevention, I’ve witnessed individuals regain confidence and empowerment through our programs. In my church, it’s deeply fulfilling to see the effects of medical outreach, food drives, and community support on participants and local residents. Those moments make every effort worthwhile.
Ashley Fuentes: I can’t deny, the first time I saw the results of all the volunteering that I’ve done, I was very emotional. I experienced a bit of a shock because I never thought that certain individuals were facing such terrible things. I can’t dive into specific details due to client privacy but I saw first hand how public programs were failing members of the community, and that broke me. I’ve had people come to me with complete distrust in the system but when I applied myself into finding the resources and making the phone calls they finally saw that not every organization is the same. There are some people that still care in this city.
With CUNY SPS being an online college, how is it meeting students in person through volunteering? Does it feel different from other campus interactions?
Harmony Olayiwola: What makes CUNY SPS special is that it creates space for genuine human connection, even as an online college. I haven’t attended online studies elsewhere, but I enjoy the opportunity to connect, play, jump, laugh, collaborate. I can be a part of leadership, learn new skills, and network either virtually or in person with my peers.
Ashley Fuentes: With SPS being an online college, it’s very difficult to meet students in person. Personally, I wasn’t able to attend the group volunteering events since I had to work. It definitely does feel different from other campus interactions. I enjoyed the WhatsApp chats because we were all able to casually chat, express our experiences, and help each other with volunteer opportunities.
How is volunteering different then joining a campus club? One seems to bring people together in a different way, why do you think that is?
Harmony Olayiwola: These are two different scenarios with similarities. Volunteering is from the heart, it’s filled with purpose and is an intentional act I engage in. It’s not a paid service, yet it is a way to showcase shared humanity and the collective power we hold when we work toward helping others, building skills, and growing together. Clubs are more specific in their roles or goals. As the president of a [Human Relations and Sociological] club, this focuses more on shared areas of interest and learning, and building together whereas volunteering connects people through empathy, service, and action. Volunteering is personal to me.
Ashley Fuentes: I feel volunteering is different but very similar to joining a campus club. In clubs there is more leisure and its members share a mutual topic of interest and plan events according to that specialty. Whereas with volunteering it’s a group of individuals driven to support the community in any way possible. There are positives to both because they involve everyone working as a team and helping one another grow.
What is your motivation for participating with Change Warriors?
Harmony Olayiwola: My motivation comes from seeing people’s voices, especially those who are often unheard, being uplifted and supported. As a student, educator, and advocate, I believe in modeling the change I want to see in the world. Change Warriors provides that platform to serve, to listen, and to grow. It’s more than a volunteer opportunity; it’s a pathway to build leadership, empathy, and professional skills while helping others live with dignity and hope.
Ashley Fuentes: My motivation comes from years of volunteering from when I was a child, teen, and now as an adult. I was happy to have met a community of members that were equally as passionate. I am grateful to Elizabeth, who kept pushing all of us to keep on searching for opportunities and if not join together during school events. The Change Warriors Program was one of my best experiences in college and I hope the next generation of volunteers will continue passing on that torch and helping in the community.
