Community Connections- October 2011
October 17th, 2011
Well, it’s October and we’re off and running as they say- Training with Jane, Building Bridges and Knitting up a storm. But some of us looking ahead, thinking about the upcoming holiday season and wondering what to do with it, while others are just wondering what in the world to have for dinner. Sometimes it’s hard to be in the here and now.
We may not have all the answers, but we do have a few ideas for handling the holidays and cooking up a little comfort. So if your ready to knit your first scarf, plan for those special days, or simmer your first soup of the season, please join us- you might find what you’re looking for- here and now.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” – Emily Bronte
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Students on Site…
For three years we have relied on student volunteers from Salve Regina University to help support our widowed parents and programs of all kinds. Kelly Powers, M.Ed. is at the helm of the Office of Community Service which is so busy it could use a volunteer or two of it’s own.
If you know a bereft parent in need of support, a garage that needs cleaning out, a grieving child in need of a mentor, please let us know. We have several student volunteers attending our training this week and are ready to match them up with families in need! In the meantime, meet our community connection at Salve… the person who makes it all come together…
(Maria) What is the Office of Community Services at Salve Regina and what exactly do you do there?
(Kelly) I coordinate all of the community service programs including the scholarships for service which gives educational scholarships to Salve students following 300hrs of service, running service trips nationally and internationally, Help organize 10 hours of service for all students doing projects such as food baskets, clean-ups, positive role model programs etc.
(M) What kinds of projects are students typically looking for?
(K) Projects related to their major for the most part. Some like short term and some long. Many students become connected and want to continue on after the required hours are completed.
(M) Sometimes it’s hard for people to accept help when they feel they are not giving in return- what do the students get out of these service projects?
(K) They get life experience, connections to community partners and different people, help getting direction if they happen to be an undecided major, time management and leadership skills and references for their resume.
(M) What do you look for in a community partner?
(K) I look for something organized with good learning opportunities and in our community.
(M)You sound awfully busy for a one woman show. Could you use some help over there?
(K) Yes, one of my goals is to find funding for another staff member to meet the needs of all of our community partners and build more volunteer opportunities for our students.
(M) Thanks Kelly, keep those students coming!
You learn something every day if you pay attention. ~Ray LeBlond