Star of the Month
Nyla Chute
School of Nursing
Congratulations to our Star of the Month for September 2024, Nyla Chute from the School of Nursing! Nyla has been making an impact in our Baltimore community since she arrived at Hopkins in 2023! Through the SON Community Outreach Program, she began her outstanding work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Baltimore as a HelpLine Volunteer, connecting people with essential mental health resources throughout the academic year and into the summer of 2024. She is currently working with Next One Up as a SOURCE Service Scholar throughout 2024-25 on developing key outreach initiatives using social media. Read our interview below to learn more about her experience serving our community!
Can you share a little background about your experience in the Baltimore community through your work with SOURCE? What made you want to get involved with NAMI-Baltimore in the Community Outreach Program at SON?
My work with SOURCE has provided me with the rewarding opportunity to engage deeply with the Baltimore community. Specifically, through my role as a HelpLine Volunteer with NAMI Baltimore, I was responsible for answering calls from residents and connecting them with local mental health resources. This experience was significant to me as it allowed me to offer support in an area that is often overlooked—mental health.
I was drawn to the Community Outreach Program at the School of Nursing because nursing is inherently holistic, and mental health is a critical yet frequently neglected aspect of overall well-being. This position not only enabled me to make a meaningful contribution to the mental health of the Baltimore community but also provided me with the opportunity to familiarize myself with the city, an important aspect as I am new to Baltimore.
Awesome to hear that you are now also a SOURCE Service Scholar working with Next One Up this year! What does your work with Next One Up involve and are there any service activities with the project where others can volunteer this year?
Thank you! Next One Up (NOU) is an incredible nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of young men in Baltimore. My role with NOU involves working on a service project titled 'Community Engagement through Social Media & Outreach.' In this project, I am responsible for coordinating and collaborating with staff and students to develop strategic outreach initiatives through social media that highlight NOU's mission, programming, and the inspiring stories of their students. Our goal is to increase social media engagement and following by the end of the project. Although I’ve just begun, the NOU team has been incredibly welcoming, and I’m excited to see how the project evolves.
Regarding service and volunteer opportunities, NOU is always seeking Program Partners to provide academic, athletic, and mentorship support. I encourage you to check out their website and Instagram page for more details on upcoming events and ways to get involved!
"While it’s important to provide care in clinical settings, we should also strive to understand and advocate for our patients in broader contexts. Engaging in community service enhances our ability to support and empathize with patients, making it a valuable component of our nursing education."
How did your community work in COP last year complement what you’re learning in the classroom at the School of Nursing? Is the SSS program also offering some similar experiences so far?
Through my work in the Community Outreach Program with NAMI, I gained valuable insights into public and mental health resources that many in the community are unaware of. Starting clinical in the nursing program from week one, I regularly interact with patients and families familiar with Baltimore and Maryland. I wanted to be equipped to provide them with meaningful local resources that could improve their well-being.
The SOURCE Service Scholar (SSS) Program complements this by allowing me to engage directly with the community beyond the clinical setting. It's given me the chance to work with a different population in Baltimore, deepening my understanding of the community's needs. Working closely with adolescents in this program is especially rewarding, as it aligns with my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
What advice would you give to other Nursing students looking to engage in service-learning in Baltimore?
My advice to nursing students interested in service-learning in Baltimore is to actively seek out and commit to opportunities. Given that our program is only five semesters long and many of us are new to the city, immersing ourselves in the community offers a valuable chance to both familiarize ourselves with Baltimore and contribute meaningfully.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities available, and SOURCE is effective at connecting students with these resources. While it’s important to provide care in clinical settings, we should also strive to understand and advocate for our patients in broader contexts. Engaging in community service enhances our ability to support and empathize with patients, making it a valuable component of our nursing education.
What is the most important experience you’ve had or most critical thing you’ve learned so far through working with our community?
Through my work with the Baltimore community, I have observed that the city is often unjustly stigmatized. Engaging directly with the community has illuminated the social issues residents face and has highlighted that many individuals are living under conditions beyond their control. This realization underscores the importance of empathy and advocacy. It is crucial to recognize that while people may not have chosen their circumstances, we have a responsibility to step in and advocate for positive change and support. This perspective has reinforced my commitment to addressing social determinants of health and providing meaningful assistance to those in need.