For the first time since its inception in 2006, students won’t be the only volunteers participating in Case Western Reserve’s annual Saturday of Service Nov. 4.
As part of the university’s renewed efforts to connect the campus community to surrounding neighborhoods, this year’s event is also open to faculty and staff.
“There was this great opportunity with Saturday of Service to bring us all together again,” said Dionne Broadus, executive director of local government and community relations.
The Center for Civic Engagement and Learning, Office of Greek Life and Office of Community Relations are collaborating to plan this year’s event, which they hope will spur participants to learn more about the neighboring communities and the assets they offer.
“We look at these one day events as a way of spring-boarding students into future community involvement. That hopefully will be the case for staff and faculty as well,” said Betsy Banks, director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning.
Banks noted that exposure to these organizations through Saturday of Service and other opportunities allows volunteers to see a number of other ways to get involved beyond regular time-intensive commitments, such as simply attending events or becoming a member.
The opportunity for employees builds on pre-existing community service projects faculty and staff already participate in, such as Staff Advisory Council projects.
“This is just another way to help further champion employees giving back and serving their community,” Broadus said.
Throughout the day, volunteers can take part in activities such as:
- Engaging with visitors at the new Children’s Museum of Cleveland;
- Tutoring youth at The Saturday Tutoring Program;
- Landscaping at Cleveland’s original stagecoach stop;
- Adapting toys for children with disabilities; and
- Preparing crafts at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Discovery Center.
Ultimately, Banks said, they hope Saturday of Service will help people “feel a greater connection with their Case Western Reserve community, with the Cleveland neighborhoods that are around us, and also feel like they were able to contribute to the mission of the nonprofits.”
Learn more about and sign up for a Saturday of Service project. The deadline to register is Nov. 1.