The Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) continues to uphold its legacy as one of Harvard’s most enduring pillars of public service. Founded in 1904 as a coalition of six student organizations, PBHA has since evolved into a dynamic, student-led nonprofit with over 1,500 volunteers who operate over 80 social service and social action programs.
These initiatives provide Harvard students with hands-on opportunities to engage in meaningful community service across categories such as education, health, mentoring, and housing. For first-year students, PBHA offers a unique opportunity to engage with the local community from the start of their Harvard experience, allowing students to dive into projects that resonate with their passions.
Coby Hayes ’28 joined PBHA because the organization offered several initiatives that aligned with the types of service he did back home. “It made me feel some form of familiarity coming here onto campus,” he shared in an interview with the Independent.
Hayes first became involved with the organization through the First-Year Urban Program, a pre-orientation experience focused on service. “I learned a lot about PBHA through my FUP leader, Talia. She’s the [former] vice president,” he said.
This initial exposure sparked immediate excitement for Hayes. “I knew, pretty much, that PBHA and [the Institute of Politics] were the two big things that I thought I would be interested in doing.” Fortunately, Hayes found that he did not have to choose between his interests in government and mentorship—PBHA’s extensive collaboration with other campus organizations allowed him to pursue both.
He is currently involved in CIVICS, a program in partnership with the Harvard Institute of Politics that empowers Boston youth to take an active role in their communities through interactive civics and government education. Before that, he was part of a similar program, David Walker Scholars, which partners with the Harvard Black Men’s Forum to support and mentor young men in Boston.
For Hayes, the most rewarding aspect of his work has been the relationships he has built with the students. “Going to the school and now they know us—it feels good,” he said. “When you’re walking up and they’re yelling, ‘Oh, there’s Coby!’ it just makes me feel so at home.”
Despite not being a Boston native, Hayes feels a strong sense of connection with the city’s students. “We’re across the country—I’m from Arkansas—but these are kids that are similar to the type I grew up being around,” Hayes said. “Being able to go to that same classroom every day, building a good relationship with the kids, and them actually being excited to see you—I think that’s something that’s fulfilling,” he shared.
Another new member, Jacari Dillard ’28, shared a similar sentiment. “Being somebody from Birmingham, Ala., it was important to get to know the community that I was in,” he said.
Through his PBHA program, ExperiMentors, Dillard helps engage Cambridge Elementary School children in fun, science-based activities. “I think what I love the most is being able to meet the next generation,” he said. “Just being able to see their smiles, their excitement, their newfound education was so enlightening.”
Dillard explained that joining PBHA was never about fulfilling any sort of service requirement for him. In fact, he advises against doing so. “[If] someone [were] considering joining, I would tell them: don’t do it for the community service aspect. Do it because you are passionate about helping somebody else and also to learn something new,” he said.
As Hayes reflected on his work with PBHA, he similarly emphasized the importance of embracing new experiences. “The good part about PBHA is that you will be doing some form of service and you can see the impact of your service taking place immediately,” Hayes said. “And seeing tangible efforts—seeing things actually happen—you make actual direct change. I think that’s necessary, especially being in the ‘Harvard bubble’ 24/7, you don’t really get that opportunity much.”
His words highlight an often-echoed sentiment amongst Harvard students: living in an environment where resources and prestigious opportunities are plentiful, it can be easy to lose sight of the challenges faced outside of the University’s gates. “I think we are obviously in a place of privilege…and we don’t have to worry about these same things,” Hayes said. “It’s good to give back, in any form that you can.”
For these first-years, PBHA has provided an opportunity for personal growth through forging meaningful connections in a new community. Their work with local schools has allowed Hayes and Dillard to engage in service that is both immediate and impactful. Witnessing firsthand the joy and excitement their service can bring to others, Hayes, Dillard, and others have been reminded that the communities outside these gates need our help—and more importantly, that we are capable of offering it.
Wessal Bakry ’28 (wessalbakry@college.harvard.edu) writes News for the Independent.