Exploring Service Options

Representatives from more than 40 organizations in the Harrisonburg- Rockingham County, Va., area were on hand for a "Sign-Up Fair" held Sept. 22 in the University Commons at Eastern Mennonite University.

Around 300 first-year and upperclass students learned about opportunities to get involved with agencies and organizations representing aging and disabilities services, early and elementary education, ESL tutoring for children and adults, hunger and housing, wellness and environment, mission and ministry and youth and adult services.

Mary Rodihan talks with Brigette Funk and Becky Chapin
Photo by Jim Bishop

Here, Mary Rodihan (l.), partnership development and program manager with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, talks with Brigette Funk, a first-year student from Strasburg, Va., and to Becky Chapin, a first-year student from Richmond, Va.

First-year students are expected to do at least 15 hours of community service as part of requirements in a "First Year Seminar" course, according to Deanna F. Durham, director of community learning, at EMU. "We had a great turnout," she said of the event, "and many students will do more than the required number of hours once they get involved as volunteers with these programs."