UW Students Connect Through Volunteering

Giving back to the community is a central theme in the University Of Wyoming Center for Volunteer Service (CVS).

Located in the lower level of the Wyoming Union, the office is a beacon for students interested in working on issues ranging from poverty, homelessness, health care and violence to drug use prevention, youth recreation, the environment and the elderly. The center coordinates local volunteer opportunities with interested individuals and groups.

"The Center for Volunteer Service is a place on campus that helps students connect with the community while putting their passions into action," says Kristina Larry, a senior in psychology from Fort Sam Houston, Texas and CVS student worker.

"Volunteering is an important part of my college experience because it provides 'hands on' opportunities for me to learn about important issues that face our community and its citizens. It is an important part of my life because, in my opinion, there is nothing more worthwhile and nothing more rewarding than helping others through service," says David F. Kiren, a junior from Diamondville.

The CVS also helps students identify volunteer opportunities in their hometowns. Students can take advantage of this service prior to leaving UW for a break or for the summer.

Other volunteer work occurs when students incorporate a service learning component into their study abroad trips or internships. The center helps coordinate these opportunities, adding to the overall enrichment of these experiences.

Students interested in volunteer work have the following opportunities to sign up and get involved:

UW Volunteers in Action is a one day service event on Saturday, Sept. 17, that will connect more than 100 students to community service projects throughout Laramie. Students will gather at 1 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Yellowstone Ballroom for orientation and afterwards be transported to project sites for two hours of community service work. A pizza party and a concert by singer/songwriter/community service advocate James Hersch will close the day.

Registration will begin Aug. 29 and the deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 14. To register, call (307) 766 3117 or visit the CVS Web page at www.uwyo.edu/uwvolunteers/.

There is a change this year with the UW Volunteer Fair, there will now be a volunteer fair every month starting in October. More information will be available in September.

For more information on volunteering or upcoming CVS events, call the center at (307) 766 3117, e mail cvs@uwyo.edu or visit the CVS Web page.

Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005