Achievements

Dr. Elizabeth (Betty) Cappella, Dr. Geraldine Bard, and Dr. Barbara Bontempo, had their article, “The Importance of Volunteering and Service Learning for Children, Teens, Parents, Families and Adults: A Guide for Promoting Altruism through Actions of Social Justice, Equity and Peace“ accepted by the Oxford Education Research Symposium to be held in July 2026 at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. 

Each presenter affiliated with the university will focus on different aspects of Projects Flight’s highly regarded programs that promote social justice by working closely with community organizations like the Buffalo News; WGRZ Channel 2; Wegmans; and the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Project Flight, a not-for-profit agency that started at Buffalo State University, has been in operation since 1993 and has received numerous awards and recognition locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. This is the second paper accepted by this prestigious institution concerning the award-winning work done by Project Flight. 

The following referred abstract was accepted for inclusion in the Oxford Symposium:

Project Flight is a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization started in 1993, with award-winning programs that promote altruism using literacy, volunteerism, and service learning to enhance Social Justice, Equity, and Peace. We recognize that the impact derived from volunteerism and service learning can change the world and the volunteer for the better in beneficial life-changing ways. At a time when polarization seems stronger than ever, one simple truth offers hope: serving others changes everything. Acts of kindness, whether through volunteering, community work, or compassion in daily life, can dissolve barriers, open hearts, and ignite creativity that leads to lasting, positive changes. Students and families who need help and who are more disproportionately affected are people of color, families in poverty, the disabled, or people from diverse backgrounds. Programs like those described in the "Importance of Volunteering and Service Learning for Children, Teens, Parents, Families and Adults: A Guide for Promoting Altruism through Actions of Social Justice, Equity and Peace" provide specific examples of how systemic change integrates compassionate action through volunteerism and service learning. Some of our programs have provided guides on volunteerism and service learning and/or Peace, started programs that use literacy to promote these to enhance Social Justice and created special collections on peace, service learning, and volunteerism that have been nationally recognized.