Summer program offers personal growth, service
Campus Times
March 5, 1999
Earn money, gain knowledge and be able to travel this summer by applying
for the Summer Service learning program, which allows students to travel
to sites throughout California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Students will receive $500 for the summer, room and board, and a $2,500
scholarship toward next year's tuition. They also have the option of receiving
credit for the service learning requirement.
The 10-week program offers a wide range of opportunities, including
the chance to make new friends and expand leadership qualities. Students
will also gain an understanding of diverse groups of people through the
process of living with different families and working in a new environment.
Don Flora, director of church relations, places students at locations,
fundraises, recruits and works with the various locations as part of his
responsibilities.
"One of the best opportunities is the chance for students to be
in a new geographic region," said Flora. "Students are pushed
to experience a new group of people and a sense of being able to look at
service and work going hand in hand."
Summer Service allows students to put many of their values into action
while serving the community.
Students are also challenged to become aware of their own strengths
and talents through various goals. With the help and guidance of a supervisor,
students strive to achieve personal, service and spiritual goals by the
end of the program.
Debbie Roberts, director of the program, said, "It's meant to be
a learning experience and the goals that you set out to achieve help you
to grow."
Each summer, 15 students are chosen from the list of applicants to participate
in this program. Priority goes to people who are willing to travel outside
of California and who demonstrate qualities of leadership and cooperation
with others.
Tou Her, a sophomore, was part of this program. "The experience
made me grow and appreciate what life has to offer, and to see where I'm
heading in life," he said.
Junior Teriy Castro said, "I think everyone should try Summer Service
because you get a lot out of it, and it's a good experience."
Castro worked at three different sites, which were the Pomona Fellowship
Church of the Brethren, the Pomona-Inland Valley Council of Churches and
Camp La Verne. Some of her responsibilities included planning spiritual
services, teaching Sunday school and helping different administrations with
the organization of activities.
Applications for the Summer Service program are due March 20 and are
available by calling Roberts at ext. 4320. Brochures with more details can
be picked in the Chapel.
