Giving and receiving

Volunteering benefits students, community

Between jobs, classes and meeting new people, it is difficult for University students to find time for much else. Volunteering can be rewarding in many ways. By volunteering, students can gain work experience, learn valuable skills and make new friends.

In addition to work experience, volunteerism offers the chance to have fun and socialize. Volunteerism attracts people from all walks of campus life. You get to have fun with your friends, help other people, feel good about yourself and get experience to put on your resume. It can also help you explore possible career options and narrow your career interests.

There are so many different volunteer opportunities that one is sure to excite you or help you to explore your career interests. Some people are interested in reliving their childhood and helping children by becoming a big brother or sister to a child, volunteering at a child care program or going to schools and teaching children how to read. Some people want to help those in need by working in a shelter for the homeless or with women who have experienced domestic violence.

There are no limits on ways that you can serve your community. Project Serve offers alternative weekends where students may, for example, spend a weekend at a camp working with disabled children. Project Serve's immensely popular Alternative Spring Break programs offer students opportunities to not only contribute to a new community but travel to a different region of the country. Other options include fundraisers such as the Dance Marathon, which raises thousands of dollars in one evening for children's causes.

Besides the personal and professional rewards volunteering yields, there is an added attraction for students. Students can receive up to six credits for participating in volunteer projects. Project Community, started by the sociology department, has extensive course offerings through the University in the areas of education, criminal justice, health, mental health and social change.

A good place to start matching your interests with an exciting volunteer opportunity is with the University's Center for Community Service and Learning, located on the corner of East University St. and Hill St. This building also houses Project Serve, a great resource to provide you with the many volunteer opportunities all throughout the Ann Arbor area.

Websites also offer free volunteer matching service. By answering an interest survey, you can be matched with a listing of programs and agencies that would be the best match for you. Some of the listings even provide feedback of experiences from current volunteers. This service has over 300 agencies listed, so you're sure to find a great match. These sources are a wealth of information that will help you get involved and have fun.

09-15-99