Program promotes growth through service
Campus Times
May 21, 1999
Continuing in the tradition of service within the University of La Verne,
12 students from the college were selected to participate in this year's
Summer Service program.
Debbie Roberts, Protestant campus minister and director of the peace
studies program at ULV, finalized the list of candidates for the positions
this week. Applicants received notification as to whether or not they were
accepted into the program for the summer.
Alen Zilic, a sophomore photography major, will be returning this year
for his third year in the program. Other members of this year's Summer Service
group include juniors Rhiannon Jensen and Yuko Tanaka; sophomores Michelle
Crenshaw and Maria Muñoz; and freshmen Nancy Morales, Anna Roy, Melanie
Cousert and Chris Arbizu. Two more students, one a junior, the other a freshman,
have not been confirmed as participants of the program.
"We were looking for people who demonstrate an interest in experiencing
something different from what they are used to," said Roberts of the
qualifications of those who apply. "They demonstrate leadership skills,
and they are people who are willing to grow spiritually, personally and
in the area of service."
The Summer Service program originated at La Verne College (as ULV was
formerly named) in 1957 and has since served as a large part of service
to the University community and beyond.
It also allows volunteers the opportunity to develop as leaders and
volunteers during a 10-week period.
Participants of the program are individually assigned to a particular
site, where they volunteer their time and efforts for little more than two
months. Through the direction of individual supervisors and community members,
each student works in a variety of settings-churches, camps or a combination
of both.
As a whole, this year's team will be dispersed throughout five states.
One student will be assigned to a location in Idaho, another six to five
individual locations within California, two in Oregon, two in Washington
and one in Arizona.
From these locations, four sites are camps, while the remaining six
are church-oriented sites. Roberts has worked on placing students and their
assignments accordingly, as she wanted to assure that the experience of
the service program will be beneficial and encouraging for both parties.
Participants ultimately found out to which site they are assigned during
the Summer Service workshop on Sunday.
On Wednesday, some had the opportunity to meet with sponsors, supervisors
and other affiliates of program sites during the Donor's Tea.
In addition to the personal achievements one may receive from becoming
a part of the Summer Service program, there are also other benefits. For
example, participants of Summer Service are granted a Summer Service scholarship
totaling $2,500 for the following academic year. During their 10 week service
at a site, they are given a stipend of $50 per week. Also, students have
the option of completing an additional assignment in order to receive Service
Learning credit for their service to others.
For the most part, participants of Summer Service are required to provide
and pay for (if necessary) their own transportation to and from their designated
site.
"I hope that students will have a great time, and that they will
learn skills in leadership and problem solving," said Roberts in reference
to her anticipations for this year's team.
"I hope that they develop lasting friendships, and that they return
as wiser, more mature students ... representatives of this campus,"
she said.
Arbizu, who will be working at the Ellisforde Church of the Brethren
in Tonasket, Wa., said he is looking forward to the Summer Service experience.
"I want to help as many people as possible, but, at the same time,
I want to learn about the areas of my life where I need help."
And this is part of what Roberts said has helped to keep the Summer
Service program going strong for the last 42 years. She said it is simply
the personal growth that participants receive, as well as their advocacy
of the program, that continues to make it a success.
"It's the idea of putting our hands where our mouth is. What you
learn you need to act out," she said. "It's always exciting seeing
the difference of students when they leave and when they come back.
"It's the experience of getting out of our own environment and
going to a new setting."
Arbizu said his goals for the summer are much the same. "[I want
to gain] a better sense of myself and the concept of selflessness,"
he said. "I think the experience will help me to realize that I'm not
this only person in this world, and that you're never too young to make
a difference."
