{"id":39372,"date":"2018-08-28T10:42:39","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T14:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=39372"},"modified":"2018-08-30T08:17:17","modified_gmt":"2018-08-30T12:17:17","slug":"four-recent-grads-begin-mcc-salt-voluntary-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2018\/four-recent-grads-begin-mcc-salt-voluntary-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Four recent grads begin MCC SALT voluntary service"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four Eastern Mennonite University alumni started their Serving and Learning Together<\/a> (SALT) Program terms this week. SALT is a year-long cross-cultural service program of Mennonite Central Committee.<\/p>\n

During their assignments, participants, affectionately known as \u201cSALTers,\u201d are immersed in another culture, living with host families or communal settings such as dormitories or teacher housing in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin and Central America and the Middle East.<\/p>\n

SALTers are placed in assignments that correlate to their skills and professional interests.<\/p>\n

In 2015, a record-high number of nine EMU alumni<\/a> served (out of 51 total participants) with the program.<\/p>\n

At that time, program coordinator Wade Snowdon noted that EMU alumni are characterized by their proven \u201cdesire for and understanding of peace and social justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey come to us with a firm foundation in what it means to humbly work alongside communities in need in ways that are empowering and help to maintain the dignity to those we serve,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The year of SALT service often contributes to a strong resume and the development of attributes that employers find attractive, Snowdon said, including strong communication skills, creativity and adaptability, and a well-rounded and versatile skill set.<\/p>\n

The 2018 graduates and their assignments are:<\/p>\n