Volunteer Opportunities for Meramec Students
BY: TYRA LEESMAN
Print Editor-In-Chief
STLCC students who are looking for ways to honor the season of giving this year need look no further than their own campus.
Saint Louis Community College Meramec has been a part of charity and volunteer work in the surrounding communities for years. Service Learning is a program in which students receive credit for their service, Civic Engineering involves students with volunteer service, and Service Works Club devotes itself to the service of charity and volunteer work, as well as professional development.
“The whole idea is to volunteer. Service Learning is through classes, and [students] get grades for projects. Teachers decide they want to do it, and students go more in depth with it. Civic Engineering is volunteering. What I do for the civic engineering side is, I plan events for everyone to be involved with, and then students do the planning for the events we do in the Spring,” said Debbie Corson, Coordinator of Service Learning and Civic Engagement on the Meramec campus.
“We team up with a lot of organizations in the community and work with them and do the things they need, whatever that may be. Sometimes it’s serving people food and sometimes it’s other stuff,” said Madison Kokotovich, President of Meramec’s Service Works Club.
Some students who get involved with doing these programs have volunteered before in high school through the A+ Program’s mandated service hours requirement or programs like the Eagle Scouts.
“A lot of students are realizing that volunteering is important for your resume. It’s important for four-year colleges and a lot of corporations require a certain amount of volunteer service,” said Corson.
According to Corson, students are often referred by faculty who need extra credit in their courses, or who may not realize that they would be a good fit for the organizations she helps run.
“I think a lot of students, they want to make an impact and they want to meet people. I’ve never seen a student regret volunteering. It’s just fulfilling and it looks great for recommendations and resume, too,” said Kokotovich.
Corson suggests a few options for students searching for a place to donate their time, including Doorways Housing for people with HIV AIDS. The volunteer work includes decorating for the holidays and companionship. Volunteers lead and participate in recreational activities like games, crafts, parties and gardening.
“The Campus Kitchens Project started in STL. It now has 23 locations in the USA. They have cooking, packaging and delivering shifts, and you can sign up online. Slots available are always shown there. You cook for homeless people or older people who are shut-ins. They also have a deal with Trader Joe’s for outdated produce. They’re actually fabulous meals,” said Corson.
Another charitable organization Corson recommends is The Shepherd Center in Kirkwood, which serves to help clean up yards before snow hits, mostly for older adults.
If a Meramec student finds that they are the one in need, Kokotovich and Corson offer encouragement.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are so many resources out there like the brown bag cafe. There are so many people out there who are willing to give,” said Kokotovich.
“Go to the student assistance program in Clark Hall. It can help with a lot of things. Sometimes there are emergency funds. They have brown bag cafe, started in 2013. They give out food. Breakfast, lunches, and dinners. Twice monthly, students can get groceries. The BBC on the go, the STL food bank brings extra food that they give out. That’s for both students and the community. There are also counseling services. Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Corson.
