Melanie Hernandez has been placed at New York Cares, Inc. as a Service Events Planner through the CUNY Service Corps program. New York Cares, Inc. is the largest volunteer management agency in New York, serving millions of New Yorkers each year. Melanie planned her first event, a Christmas party for a domestic violence shelter in Manhattan's Lower East Side. She personalized the event by having each child receive their own Christmas tree to decorate. The families were overwhelmed with emotion receiving the donated gifts and custom Christmas trees in their rooms. The internship has allowed Melanie to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged New Yorkers while developing professional skills in a non-profit environment.