CSC Puts Desire to Help into Action

June 6th, 2011 - Filed under: Connections

The UA Community Service Center plays an instrumental role in the development of the University’s mission to educate and train students in the methods of community service. In arranging volunteer opportunities for UA involvement, the CSC promotes service advocacy and leadership, civic responsibility and lifelong volunteerism through increasing an awareness of community needs, resources and opportunities for problem solving.

Following the tornado touchdowns of April 27, the CSC has served in identifying, establishing and fulfilling volunteer needs throughout the Tuscaloosa community. Despite the early conclusion of spring semester, the CSC has registered approximately 180 student, faculty and staff volunteers to assist in current relief efforts.

“As the city of Tuscaloosa, the Red Cross and others who are working with the tornado relief efforts need assistance, they contact us to let us know what they need. We are working to get that information out to students so they will know about volunteer opportunities that fulfill the needs of our community,” said CSC Director Wahnee Sherman.

Students, faculty and staff returning to campus following the summer semester will  play an integral role in the coming weeks and months as ongoing relief and recovery efforts continue throughout the Tuscaloosa community.

The CSC provides students, faculty and staff the opportunity to take an active role in assisting others all year long.

 

“Our plans are to continue to work with the city and others to engage the UA community in the needs that they have for volunteers. In addition to sending out daily information, we will begin planning coordinated efforts to help.

“This will allow us to fulfill the needs of the city, as well as other nonprofits, by engaging students in the work that is going on. Because the needs have been changing so rapidly, we have worked hard to meet the needs as they come up.

“There will be a need for help for a long time to come, and we will be assessing the needs and how best to engage students in meeting those needs. It will certainly be a fluid process that will change on a weekly and even sometimes daily basis,” said Sherman.

“Our students have been great to work with. The outpouring of support and desire to help from our students and our campus community has been inspiring to see. I look forward to continuing to find ways to involve our campus community in helping the greater Tuscaloosa community rebuild.”

Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to fill out the online CSC volunteer form at volunteer.ua.edu/relief. Once registered, the CSC directly contacts volunteers with updated information on continuing and upcoming volunteer efforts.

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