IN THIS ISSUE:
*Events
*Volunteer Opportunities
*Internships, Jobs, and Beyond...
*In the Spotlight
500 first years gave up to 1,500 hours of service last Saturday afternoon, at more than 20 sites around the South side of Chicago.
Photo Credit: David Hays
Literacy Works Benefit
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
7:30 PM
57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., Chicago
Student Activities and Resource Fair
Friday, October 3, 2008
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Main Quad
The leadership, teamwork and organizational skills that you can develop from being involved in a RSO can benefit both you and the larger community. Join UCSC and our nearly 50 Community Service Recognized Student Organizations (CSRSO's), as well as over 200 other student organizations and many University offices.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Bartlett Quad
The College and UCSC kick-off the Chicago Studies Program with the South Side History Bike Ride. Participants will take the “road less traveled” through historic neighborhoods. Get a first-hand look at historic Bronzeville, sneak a peek at the residence of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, admire the rugged limestone Union Stock Yard Gate, and learn about the Settlement House movement at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum. Tour guides include John W. Boyer, Dean of the College; Terry Nichols Clark, Professor in Sociology; and J. Mark Hansen, Dean of the Social Sciences Division.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (registration at 9:30 AM)
DePaul University - Student Center, 2250 North Sheffield Street, Chicago
Join local NGOs, students and faculty from DePaul University, Columbia College, Roosevelt University and Harold Washington College for a day of speakers and workshops covering racial discrimination, poverty, inequality, housing, police brutality and more. Journalists and others will speak from 2:45 to 4 p.m. during a "Telling Your Social Justice Story from a Human Rights Frame" panel discussion.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Hyde Park Food Pantry
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago
Volunteers are needed for the unloading of food for the Hyde Park Food Pantry. When there are enough volunteers, the work goes fast and takes only 20-40 minutes; when there aren't enough it is a real drag! Please contact Jay Mulberry (773-288-1242) for instructions. The Pantry distributes emergency supplies and groceries to residents living between 39th and 60th, Cottage to the lake.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Chicago Humanities Festival needs your help! This year, they have organized 15 incredible events in Hyde Park on Saturday, October 11. *Work alongside leading thinkers and performers, share your passion for the humanities, and help bring outstanding cultural programming to your community. *Volunteers needed to greet and usher patrons, manage crowds, and sell tickets at Festival events. *Work 3-5 hour shifts, based on your availability. *In addition to an invaluable behind-the-scenes Festival experience, all volunteers receive free Festival tickets. Download and print the form and email to Dana Lambert (312-661-1028 ext. 21).
INTERNSHIPS, JOBS, AND BEYOND...
Federal Work Study (Off-Campus)
UCSC seeks out and posts part-time and summer work-study positions with Chicago area nonprofit and public sector organizations. Opportunities are geared toward identified interests and skills of our College, graduate and professional school students. View this list for the most current off-campus works study positions.
Public and Social Service Immersion Camp (PASS)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Ida Noyes Hall
Interested in a career in public or social service? UCSC partners with Career Advising & Planning Services (CAPS) to offer PASS - a one day program that introduces students interested in public service, social service and non-profit careers to alumni and organization representatives working in these fields. Come have your questions answered and learn more about internship, career or graduate school options relating to the fields of public and social service in this all day immersion camp. Students are required to sign up for this event before it occurs. For questions, contact Shayna Plaut .
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
1,500 hours of service: '08-'09 Experience Chicago Through Service
Mutisya Leonard, Staff Writer
500 first years gave up to 1,500 hours of service last Saturday afternoon, at more than 20 sites around the South side of Chicago. Now in its third year, Experience Chicago Through Service (ECTS) continues to attract a growing number of first-years to service during O-Week. “The size of this event makes me much happier about being at the U of C,” said Allison Ross, a third year in the College and ECTS volunteer team leader.
For a number of students, ECTS was another good way to get their hands dirty and make some friends. ECTS made explicit the cohesiveness within the University community, but also between the University and the city. From purging files away at La Rabida to rolling walls with paint at St. Thomas the Apostle, Deneen Elementary and Reavis School, there was a generous array of service projects.
At the Day’s preflection address, David Kay, Executive Director of METROsquash, called new students to consider committing some of their time beyond the day’s activities in continually re-engaging their education with the sometimes-beset urban system that is Chicago. Kay also supervised one of UChicago teams visiting his site later in the day.
Upon arriving at the Partners In Community Building Inc. site some students were at first bowled over. “We were painting the doors, cleaning windows, and completely organizing a basement for homebound elderly,” said Caroline Weisser, a fourth year in the College. “Discussing among ourselves most of us acknowledged though [that our work] made a real tangible difference. The home repairs, small for us, make the lives of these women easier for a considerable time.” The visit not only introduced the team to the Burnside neighborhood which they may not have otherwise visited casually, but also, Weisser added, “[it provided for] fun conversation between generations and across community lines.”
What Megha Shankar, a second year in the College, finds most pleasing about direct service is its immediacy. Reflecting on her team’s painting activities at Deneen Elementary, Shankar said, “We came in, painted the classroom, and immediately saw the positive consequence of our service.” “Education is such an important aspect of empowerment for youth,” added Shankar, “and the fact that all of us share that need for empowerment makes volunteering in education appealing and significant.”
Dorothy Pytel, garden organizer at Brickyard Community Garden, wrote, “We love your service days! They motivate our own gardeners to come out and work. Five of our gardeners came out, and a group of six U of C students came. Together we turned our huge three-bin compost system, weeded all of the pathways and spread about two-thirds of a truckload of woodchips. Wonderful results for a mere three hours of work by a group of twelve!”
The University Community Service Center (UCSC) fosters the development of civic-minded students by providing substantive community service opportunities through community partnerships based on mutual trust and respect. If you have questions - how to get involved as a student or how to connect to students as a community organization - please contact us.
5525 S. Ellis Ave., Suite 160
Chicago IL, 60637
Tel: 773.753.4483
Fax: 773.834.1160
