Post Classifieds
Service learning gaining popularity
By Mike Mazzuto
On December 6, 2012
The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center is helping students earn credits by giving
back to the community and helping those less fortunate.
"We jumped on board ... helping people understand where to go to volunteer," said
James Hall, a senior who started volunteering last year. "It helps build your future by
allowing your skills to be put to the test."
The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center opened its doors in 2004. With over 1,800
student participants, the center links service learning by integrating community service
into courses. The students perform community-based projects that identify surrounding
community needs. It enhances student learning while cultivating civic engagement,
said Laura Hill-Rao, volunteer and service-learning coordinator. The center builds
relationships between Buffalo State and the local community, she explained.
"Interest is growing," Hill-Rao said. "Students in the past few years have learned a lot
more about the office and the opportunities available. The drive and interest to make a
difference and leave a mark on the community through service has really grown."
President Aaron Podolefsky declared this as the Year of the City. Through service-
learning courses, and community involvement, Buffalo State has been giving back in
ways that benefit the city and the college, bringing public recognition to the variety
of service learning opportunities and the school's community-engagement initiatives,
according to the school's website.
West Side Ministries, which takes abandoned homes on the demolition list and revitalizes
them so they can be sold or rented to low-income families, and the Buffalo Niagara River
Keeper, which most recently ran the Scajaquada Creek cleanup, are some examples of
Grass Roots organizations the service-learning center has worked with.
Buffalo State has 45 service-learning classes and works with about 80 organizations
throughout Western New York. About 1,800 students are enrolled with the volunteer and
service-learning center, and that number is going up every year - positive growth from
its beginning in 2004, which at the time offered seven service-learning courses with 300
total students.
"This generation is much more common than it has been in a long time," Hill-Rao
said. "(I think) the number of social issues, the economy and the number of international,
and political issues really affect student awareness. Realizing the need to contribute time
and energy to the benefit of the greater good has really grown."
The alternative break program in its fourth year is quickly becoming a staple for
volunteer students. Students organize outreach and volunteer activities and spend the
entire break together, instead of the traditional spring break or winter break. This year's
alternative break program will make trips to Rochester and the New York City/New
Jersey area to aid with Hurricane Sandy relief.
"Sometimes students take a class because it's part of a requirement and they have no idea
when they walk into a service learning class that they're going to be doing community
based work," said Hill-Rao."It's pretty neat to see the transition and awareness that
students have developed as a result of being exposed to issues they weren't aware of, or
diversity in the community, or just meeting new people and seeing positive things going
on."
Mike Mazzuto can be reached by email at mazzuto.record@live.com.
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