The SAC-Cares program will help students and faculty get involved in community service and allow students to learn about issues facing the community and establish career goals, civic engagement coordinator Justin Storrs said Nov. 2.
“It’s a good way to network and make contacts,” Storrs said.
Storrs was hired with grant funds to help maintain the SAC-Cares program, which has been dormant since 2004, service-learning coordinator Audrey Grams said.
“Now we can focus on branching out the department,” Grams said, adding that Storrs, who receives a small stipend for his work through AmeriCorps, will either be rehired or replaced after his contract expires in September.
Volunteers may choose from a growing list of events and service opportunities, available online at the service-learning Web page.
Upcoming service opportunities include the Division 3 Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championship 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Blossom Athletic Center, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road, and the 30th annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner 9 a.m.–noon Nov. 26 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 555 S. Alamo St.
After committing to an event, students and faculty should contact Storrs so he can arrange for volunteers to work with event organizers. Storrs can be reached at 486-1736 or by e-mail at jstorrs@alamo.edu.
Tracking service hours also can benefit students working toward the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a certificate signed by the president of the United States awarded to those with 100 hours of community service in a 12-month period, or about two hours a week.
The award is noted on the student’s transcript.
According to service-learning data, 74 students at this college have received the award since 2001, with more than 23,895 hours served.
“It’s an excellent way to get motivated to serve,” Grams said.
Click here for more information on the award.
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