What's Trending Today

Today is Tuesday, December 3, 2013. You may have noticed the #GivingTuesday showing up a few times as you scroll through your Facebook newsfeed or tweets on Twitter.

I know that I have never heard of this phenomenon until checking my Facebook this morning and seeing it everywhere. So what is #GivingTuesday?

According to http://community.givingtuesday.org/Page/FAQ, this is the second annual #GivingTuesday event. It is a "movement to creat a national day of giving to kick of the giving season." The reason that it is called "Giving Tuesday" is because it was intended to be on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The mission of the #GivingTuesday campaign is to "create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activites that support non-profit organizations."

The website also lists some ideas for students of things they can do on #GivingTuesday, here are some of the ideas:

• Use social media to highlight a cause that interests you and encourage other students to take action to support something that they care about
• Organize a clothing or book drive or anothe on-campus giving activity on your campus
• engage profressors and start a discussion about philanthropy and volunteerism, and what students would like to see more of campus related to giving.

You can also check out what people are doing around the world for #GivingTuesday on Facebook and Twitter.

This is definitely one trend worth checking out!

Oxfam America

 

 

Some of you may have had the opportunity to attend the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet that took place yesterday, or maybe you have attended a Hunger Banquet in the past.

The Hunger Banquet is a powerful event that allows people to experience the inequality of food distribution that occurs around the world. I remember at my first Hunger Banquet, sitting on the floor with a handful of rice, being moved to tears by experiencing poverty at a level that millions of people are subjected to. They say that 1 out of every 7 people goes to bed hungry. This statistic really hit home for me because I have 7 people in my own family. I remember thinking: What if this was one of my own family members having that small amount of food to eat on a daily basis? And I knew right then that this issue was going to become very important to me.

Oxfam America is a "global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger and injustice."
Thier vision: A just world without poverty.
Their mission: To create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and social injustice.

Instead of just providing charity to poor people, Oxfam works on empowering people and communities through creating sustainable solutions that will last.

One of their big campaigns is the GROW Campaign. The mission of this Campaign is to "build a better food system: one that sustainably feeds a growing population and empowers poor people to earn a living, feed their families, and thrive."

If you are interested in learning more about the work of Oxfam America, you can visit their website: www.oxfamamerica.org.

If you want to get more involved in Oxfam America, you can check out their CHANGE program at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/take-action/student-action/change.

The CHANGE Program is a student leadership program that "develops capable leaders, who are informed voices for positive social change, and who inspire greater global awareness in others." As a CHANGE Leader, you become more informed about issues surrounding poverty, hunger and injustice and learn how to spread awareness and activism about these issues on your campus.

As a CHANGE Leader Alumni, I can say that this was an amazing experience that taught me a lot. Not only that, but you get to meet college students from all over the U.S. who are just as passionate as you about creating change.

If you are interested in finding out more information about the CHANGE Program, feel free to contact me at hilln@my.easternct.edu and I would love to tell you about my own experience!


~Nicolle Hill, CCE Intern

It's National Homelessness Awareness Week!

There is a lot of things going on this week! Check them out!

-          Monday, November 18, Hunger Banquet, Niejadlik Hall, 7pm

-          Tuesday – Wednesday, November 19-20, Shack-a-Thon, Webb Lawn, 12pm on 11/19 - 6pm on 11/20

-          Thursday, November 21, “What is a Home?” Panel Discussion, SC Theatre, 3pm

-          Wednesday- Friday, November 21-23, Children’s glove/mitten drive, Webb Lawn/Lobby, Student Center, 10am-2pm

-          Monday-Friday, Voices of Homelessness Art Exhibit from No-Freeze, Student Center lobby/Webb hall

 

If you have any questions about any of the events, please contact the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu!

 

Habitat for Humanity

Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Jessica Wagner, the Public Relations officer of the ECSU Habitat for Humanity club. Jessica is only a freshman at Eastern this year, but she believes so much in the mission of Habitat for Humanity, that she was made the PR officer earlier in the semester and has become really involved in the activities that the club participates in.

The mission statement of the ECSU Habitat for Humanity Club is as followed: “To increase awareness of sub-standard housing on campus and in the community. We also help to eradicate this issue with Windham and New London affiliate. Members can benefit from Gaining Community Service Hours, Learning Construction Skills, Traveling Around the Country, Enhancing Their Resume, Meeting New Friends, Getting More Involved In The University’s Community and Helping Families Get Out of Poverty Housing” (http://www.easternct.edu/studentactivities/clubs_orgs/habitat.htm).

Jessica told me a lot about the two big events that Habitat is putting on during Eastern’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 18-23).

The first event, an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, is going to be on Monday, November 18. People Helping People (PHP) is also helping out with the event. If you have never been to a Hunger Banquet, then I would definitely encourage you to attend this event. The premise of the Hunger Banquet is better left a surprise, but what I can tell you is to go to Niejadlik Hall at 7pm and come hungry.

 The second event, the annual Shack-A-Thon, is going to be from November 19^th-20^th on Webb Lawn. At this event you can “see your fellow ECSU students live and sleep in boxes for 30 hours straight to help raise awareness for substandard housing.” Habitat club members raise $100 to sleep in boxes for a night on campus. The money goes to the Windham Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Curious about how you can become a Habitat for Humanity Club Member? You can attend their meetings on Mondays at 7:30pm in Room 219 in the Student Center. If you want to find out more about their club you can e-mail them at habitatforhumanity@my.easternct.edu. You can also like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter @ECSUHabitat.

I asked Jessica why she thought Eastern Students should get involved in Habitat. She said that is was a “good way to meet new people, you get to go to different places and it is a great way to help in the community.”

~Nicolle Hill, CCE Intern

~ * ~

Hunger in Connecticut

The CCE is putting on many events this month to raise awareness about Hunger and Homelessness.

What does the issue of HUNGER look like in Connecticut?

The Connecticut Food Bank has done a lot of research alongside Feeding America about hunger and poverty in Connecticut. You can check out their website here: http://www.ctfoodbank.org/
Here are some interesting facts that I found on their website:

• 20.9% of children in Windham County live in a food insecure household.
• That's about 5,560 children
• 19.8% of children in Connecticut live in a food insecure household.
• That's about 157,550 children
• In Connecticut, 1 out of 7 households cannot always afford the food that they need.

What is food security?


According to the USDA, food security is defined as "access by all people at all times to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life."

It is difficult for people who live in a food insecure situation to afford foods that will provide the adequate nutrients needed for this active and healthy lifestyle. Instead, those in a food insecure situation are eating foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt content which does not contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Check out this interactive map that has food insecurity statistics from all across the U.S.: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-gap.aspx

What can you do to help?

• You can help by participating in the food drives happening every weekend this month and encouraging your friends to join you.
• Look out for the events that will be happening during the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 18-23 and participant in as many of the events as you can.
• Attend a People Helping People, Habitat for Humanity or other social service club meeting and see what events they are putting on this month.
• Get involved with GROW Windham.
• Check out the Connecticut Food Bank website mentioned above for more ideas and facts.
• Sign up for the Day of Giving which is November 27 (the day before Thanksgiving)

If you are interested in any of the events above and would like more information, just e-mail the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu.

It's November!

NOVEMBER 1st! Already?!

The semester is flying by, and this is the last full month of the semester and with it comes many exciting things that are happening around the ECSU campus.

Also, don't forget to turn those clocks back this weekend (Sunday morning)! One extra hour of sleep!

Here is a list of just a few special events happening this month:

November 2-24: Weekend Food Drives
November 17-23: National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Stay tuned for events that are happening during this week!)
November 23: Walk for Warmth
November 27: Day of Giving
November 28: THANKSGIVING!

Keep an eye out for those boxes that will be appearing in all the dorms, administrative and classroom buildings starting next week. Bring any non-perishable foods you might have!

E-mail the CCE at cce@easternct.edu for more information about any of the events listed above!

Make a Difference Day

What are you up to this weekend? Well, if you don't have any plans yet, you should know that on Saturday, October 26th, it is Make a Difference Day.

What is Make a Difference Day?

"The stories told around Make a Difference Day show that anyone - regardless of age, location or resources - can accomplish amazing things when they take on the problems they see in their community" (http://makeadifferenceday.com/about-make-difference-day)

As a stressed, always busy, stay-up-all-night-sleep-all-day college student, it can be really hard to find time to volunteer! However, it is ten times easier when volunteering becomes a time to work with friends, make new connections in the community and about finding those opportunities that provide the skills needed for your career.

That is why this weekend, on Make a Difference Day, the largest national community service day in the U.S., I am encouraging you to get a group of your friends together and do something positive for the community. If you cannot find a community project for this weekend, don't let that stop you or discourage you. Do some research with your friends on possible ideas of service projects you could do. Talk to your R.As, your club e-board members, the staff at the Center for Community Engagement. There is an unlimited number of resources you can use to get connected with the community.

Sometimes making a difference is as simple as inviting someone on your floor who has been feeling homesick out with you and your friends, taking a trip to the grocery store and buying groceries to donate to the soup kitchen, or even taking the time to check out some of the local businesses and supporting them by purchasing something.

Whatever it is that you decide to do, send your photos and stories to the CCE, we want to know about what you are doing to make a positive difference and share what you are doing with the Eastern Community!

Think Pink! 

Tomorrow is the first Think Pink event at Eastern Connecticut State University. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer is impacting more and more people around the world every day.

The amount of support that ECSU has had for Breast Cancer victims has been nothing short of amazing. There have been bake sales, ribbon sales, bracelet sales and many others taking place all over campus this month in honor of the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this has really shown how important this issue is to students.

Think Pink is a walk that will be taking place on Webb Lawn on Wednesday, October 23 (that's tomorrow!) from 9am-1pm. There is already several teams registered to walk and the expectation is that there will be many more! There will be food, music, prizes and useful information.

Lisa, President of People Helping People, has had a large roll in the creation and planning of this event and she had received a lot of help and support from members of the PHP club. Her inspiration for the event was the 40 mile walk she did last year with an organization called Avon Foundation for Women. Lisa has been personally effected by Breast Cancer and she is sure that many other students are effected by it as well and she wanted to do something about it.

Students are encouraged to wear pink on Wednesday, walk to support the event and/or donate to the cause.
You can donate online at www.gofund.com/thinkpinkwalk2013. Proceeds will be going to the Avon Foundation for Women to fight breast cancer. If you have any questions e-mail PHP at peoplehelping@my.easternct.edu or cce@easternct.edu.

Join together in the fight against Breast Cancer with the ECSU community!

CCE Happenings!

Events for the Week of October 21st

October 21: People Helping People Club Meeting 6pm in Student Center Room 219

October 22: CT Mobile Food Pantry at 12:30pm

October 23: Walk for Breast Cancer Event 9am-1pm on Webb Lawn. All donations will go towards the Avon Foundation for for Women. All are welcome to stop by for food, music, fun, prizes, and useful information.

If you are interested in finding out more information about these events, please e-mail the CCE at cce@easternct.edu. You can also visit the CCE at 333 Prospect Street.

 

 

 

4-H Mentoring Opportunity

Do you want to help mentor kids, get some hands on teaching experience or just want to help out in the community?

 

If so, check out this 4-H mentoring program!

Contact the UCONN 4-H office at 860-875-3331 or mentoring@tollandcounty4-hct.org if you are interested!

 

 

 

What is Relay for Life?

(You can find all of this information on the Relay for Life website: http://www.relayforlife.org/learn/whatisrelay/index)

Relay for Life is a twenty-four walk put on by the American Cancer Society. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness and money for all different forms of cancer.

"Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths" (cancer.org).

Relay for Life emphasizes community and hope, as everyone, from young children to college students to grandparents, join together to fight against a disease that is impacting millions of lives.

Where do the donations go?

• Cancer Reseach
• Hope Lodge: "provides a free and comfortable place for patients and their caregivers to stay, so they can focus on getting well"
• Providing the transportation cancer patients need to get to and from their treatment.
• As well as other programs that support patients as they go through their treatment and post-treatment

Relay For Life has become a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.

Is there a Relay for Life event near Eastern Connecticut State University?

Chelsea Haddad, a senior at Eastern, is the liason between ECSU and Windham's Relay for Life Chapter. Below is her message to anyone who may be interested in being a part of Windham's Relay for Life:

Thank you for your interest in Relay for Life!

Our Next relay is October 18-19^th, 2014 at Eastern’s Ball Field!

We would love it if you would be involved. You could start or join a team, join the planning committee, or volunteer the day of the event. We are always looking for new teams and it is great to get your team signed up early and to have plenty of time to raise money! The planning committee is always looking for more people to help us put on this event. If you wanted to volunteer day of event and help out we would appreciate that too!

I am a team captain and planning committee member and have been doing Relay for Life for 6 years. I would love to answer any questions you may have about Relay for Life or helping out.

You can email me at haddadc@my.easternct.edu if you are interested or if you have any questions!

Thank You,

Chelsea Haddad

Say What?

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others"

 

What's the difference between a community program and a special event?

A community program is a long term program that usually meets once a week throughout the semster. Volunteers have a greater opportunity to develop and utilize professional skills, make sustainable impact in our society, and create long-lasting relationships.

A special event are larger volunteer opportunities dealing with larger populations or community issues at one-time. These events require a higher presence of Eastern volunteers on the day of the event.

What type of community programs are available this semester? Is it too late to sign up?

It is not too late to sign up for a community program but you should contact the CCE at cce@easternct.edu as soon as possible if this is something that interests you!

Here are the community programs available:

Tutoring and Mentoring with: Natchaug, North Windham, Sweeney and Windham Center Elementary Schools, Windham Middle School, Windham High School, Natchaug Elementray School Recess Program, Sister to Sister, Brother to Brother, Puentes al Futuro/Bridges to the Future, Journey House, Junior Achievement, Project K.B.A. (Kids, Books and Athletics), Project Academic Advancement, Collegiate Health Service Corps

Elderly and Special Populations: St. Joseph's Living Center, Windham No Freeze Hospitatlity Center, Food Justice Committee/Eastern Community Education Garden

Be on the look out for the special events that are happening throughout the semester!

I also heard about this thing called an Alternative Break, what's that?

An Alternative Break trip provides Eastern students the opportunity to serve communities outside of our own while learning about other social groups and community systems.

If you are interested in leading or participating in an Alternative Break trip, contact the CCE!

Food Justice Committee

 

Like to Garden? Do you love food? Do you want to help out the community in an active way?

Join the Food Justice Committee!!!

 

Hi Everyone!

My name is Nicolle and I am interning at the Center for Community Engagement this semester!

The photo/quote above was something that I saw when I was scrolling through Pinterest. I love Pinterest. It always amazes me how many great ideas people have. Not only that, but I have gotten some great recipies off of Pinterest! There are also days when I go on Pinterest and I feel so encouraged by quotes, such as the one above, and the stories that people are able to share just by "pinning" something on their "board."

Yesterday, I felt so inspired, and it was not because of something I saw on Pinterest or another social media site. I felt inspired because of what I saw at the Service Fair that took place alongside Eastern's Activity Fair. There was table after table exhibiting all the amazing community programs, alternative break opportunities and special events taking place this academic year. Student leaders sat next to community members conversing about their projects and why they were important to them. Posters, flyers, stickers, sunglasses and candy made the tables look so interesting and engaging.

As I watched Eastern students, from freshmen to seniors, walk up to these tables, I saw faces light up with passion as genuine conversations took place on what issues interested them. Pages and pages were filled on student interest sheets with names, phone numbers and e-mails of those interested in reaching out to the community through volunteering.

There were tables featuring the CCE, the Food Justice Committee, the Alternative Break Program, The Access Agency, WAIM, Relay for Life, afterschool programs, The Journey House, tutoring programs and so many more!

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to run a table and everyone who supported the Service Fair. I love that I do not have to just read the quotes  on Pinterest, or  just hear about great things happening around the world on the news to be inspired. By seeing how many people were interested in signing up and wanted to find out more information about all the community service opportunities happening this year, I know that there is going to be some amazing, encouraging and inspiring things happening right here in Willimantic, Connecticut!

The Service Fair was only the beginning; Let's get started Eastern Connecticut State University Student Volunteers!

 

"The ones who are crazy enough think they can change the world are the ones that do." ~Gandhi

We are half way through September! I am sure by now you have come across your first paper to write, your first quiz to take, maybe even your first exam to study for.

Before you start making a to-do list of everything you have to catch up on, take a moment to think about what you are passionate about. Why are you majoring in that particular field of study? What is it that you love to do?

The Center for Community Engagement is here to provide ways for you to use your passions to help others. You can find some amazing community programs and special events happening this semester by visiting the CCE website www.eaternct.edu/communityengagement or visiting the CCE at its new location, 333 Prospect Street.

This week, there will also be an opportunity for you to talk to CCE staff and community members in person. Where you ask? At the...

Student Activities and Community Service Fair, Webb Lawn

Wednesday, September 18th from 5-7pm

This is an event you don't want to miss! If you are unsure about how you want to get involved or even what event/program to take part in, this is the place to be.

So before you plan out your week, make sure you mark this event in your planner, your smart phone or iCalendar. We look forward to meeting all of you and hearing all about what you want to accomplish this semester!

 

Keep Calm and Volunteer On

This is our unofficial motto at the CCE right now. 

We have had a hectic beginning of September. With our Warrior Welcome Service Project, move to a new location (333 Prospect St., the beautiful big yellow Victorian house right by Nutmeg), and our Service Fair (Sept. 10) coming up, and beginning to plan for all of Community Programs, Special Events, and Alternative Break Trips, we have been going non-stop. 

Many of you who are reading this are Eastern students and are probably feeling overwhelmed with your classes, work load, and the many opportunities that Eastern has to offer through internships, jobs, and leadership opportunities on and off campus. 

The last thing you may want to think about right now is that someone may be depending on you to tutor them, provide guidance and mentorship, or need your help to make sure a homeless shelter can operate for someone to have shelter. These responsibilities may seem like an extra burden rather than something fun and you may think you have absolutely positively no time in your schedule to take them on. 

Take a step back now from all of the chaos and work that comes with being a college student. Think about what it is like to tutor a child or play a sport with a high school student and show them that its cool to play by the rules. Think about how that one moment can impact that person for the rest of their life. 

Walking into the CCE, you may feel uncertain about what you want to do or how you will ever fit volunteering into your schedule. But that's why we're here! Our jobs revolve around finding opportunities that match your passion or helping you explore careers or general volunteer opportunities that you're curious to learn more about. We offer Community Programs, Alternative Break Trips, and Special Events so that there is enough variety for anyone to get involved.

You can find us at 333 Prospect St. (a.k.a. the aforementioned big beautiful yellow Victorian house right by Nutmeg Hall) or contact us at cce@easternct.edu. You can also give us a call at 860-465-0090.

We look forward to meeting you this year!

-Jacqui De Cormier, AmeriCorps*VISTA

What is "Meaningful Service"?

We all know that volunteering is a lot of fun. But when you start getting into the deeper meaning of why you volunteer, and what it means to you to be a volunteer, the awareness of your impact on the life of someone else can be astounding.

Everyone wants to feel good about themselves. When you go to a soup kitchen to dish out lunch for an afternoon or tutor a kid for an evening you can expect to walk away feeling pretty happy about how you just spent your time.

Yet, if you continued to do go back to the soup kitchen or tutor on a regular basis, would your level of happiness change from what it would have been if you only went once? Would you see a more profound change for the better if you invested more time?

These are questions we grapple with as volunteer coordinators and volunteer project planners. How can we help you connect with an organization, issue, or project that you find meaningful and worth your time?

We can't answer that question without defining what meaningful service is. Now, there really is no wrong answer. In the end it boils down to you feeling the work you do is significant and has a positive and important impact on the person, populations, or cause you are working with. It is sharing a part of yourself, either through a skill or passion, with another person for a mutual good.

As a volunteer coordinator, I strive to connect people who want to volunteer with opportunities that will have a lasting impression; opportunities that may not have been possible without the volunteer's help.

The beautiful thing about meaningful volunteering, is that it benefits both the volunteer and the person/cause/organization that the volunteer is supporting. Both parties learn and grow from the experience. A bond is formed and a sense of camaraderie or trust is established that develops into caring. It is the fact that we care for one another that gives us our support system. As humans, we are social creatures who generally thrive with support structures helping to motivate and look out for us. When someone volunteers, and continues to volunteer, they unlock a the potential for strengthening their support system and being invited into that of another person.

Loosely, that is how I define meaningful service. It is where I see the true power of volunteering lies.

-Jacqui De Cormier, AmeriCorps*VISTA

August and September Volunteer Opportunities

We have quite the calendar of opportunities coming up this month and next!

August 27: Warrior Welcome Service Projects, Willimantic, CT
Incoming freshmen and transfer students signed up to volunteer at 11 project sites including making gifts to donate, community gardens, and volunteering with high school students!

September 10: Service Fair, Webb Lawn, Eastern Connecticut State University 
If you want to get involved in one of our amazing Community Programs (i.e. tutor a student over the period of a semester, become a mentor to a student, volunteer with those who are homeless or recovering from an addiction) then this is the place for you to speak directly with our community partners and sign up to learn more about how you can get involved!

September 15: CureSearch Walk for Children's Cancer, Hartford, CT 
Do you want to bring more awareness and support to children's canacer? Form a team and fundraise to participate in a walk of solidarity with others who feel the same way.

September 20: Poverty Awareness Marathon, Eastern Connecticut State University
Bring a can or some money and join in the marathon around Eastern's campus to bring awareness that poverty can occur all over the world to anyone. You can walk or run for as many laps as you want!

September 24: Connecticut Mobile Food Truck, Willimantic, CT
For those who are unable to access fresh groceries, the CT Mobile Food Truck provides a way for them to obtain fresh produce and groceries for them and their families.

If you have any questions about our Community Programs or Special Events, email the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu


* Transportation is provided for most Special Events and all Community Programs

CCE's Fall 2013 Volunteer Opportunities!!

We are thrilled to show off our Fall 2013 Volunteer Opportunities!

 

If your interested in a Communtiy Program, email Luis Rodríguez, Assistant Director of the CCE at rodriguezlu@easternct.edu.

 

If you want to get involved in a Special Event, email Max Goto, AmeriCorps*VISTA of the CCE at gotom@easternct.edu.

 

If you don't see something you're interested in or passionate about, contact the CCE at cce@easternct.edu to start a new initiatve or program!

 

 



August 2014 Volunteer Opportunities

Who can believe it! Less than a month until the next semester begins. We're looking forward to another amazing year of volunteering and seeing returning students as well as meeting new ones. 

For those of you who want to get a kick-start on some volunteer work, consider the following opportunities for this month (August) and let us know what you're interested in!

Eastern Community Education Garden

Volunteers help garden, weed, and harvest fruits and vegetables from Eastern's own garden. Students run it and students lead it.

When: Varies

Time: Varies

Where: Eastern Connecticut State University

Connecticut Food Bank Mobile Truck

Volunteers help distribute food to clients of the truck. Those who use its services generally do not have regular access to fresh food and the truck serves as another source of getting nutritious groceries.

When: August 27

Time: 12:30-2:30pm

Where: 199 Valley Street

Warrior Welcome Service Project

Incoming Freshmen and Transfer students are receiving and email this month giving them the choice to sign up for 1 of 11 projects they can participate in on the second day of their August orientation! Sites include, but are not limited to: gardening, craft projects for expecting mothers and shelter animals, and helping at the Soup Kitchen.

When: August 27

Time: 10:30am-4:00pm

Where: At Eastern and various locations around Willimantic