STUDENTS LAUNCH VOLUNTEER CENTER
October 9, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ -- Bloomfield College sophomores Kenneth Fortunah of Moonachie and Constantina Meis of Bergenfield believe that serving the community is a key part of their education. They also are hoping that this belief is contagious. This semester, the students created the Bloomfield College Student Volunteer Center (SVC), which was officially launched on October 1.
Fortunah, president of the sophomore class, and Meis, vice president of the sophomore class, began the volunteer program as a way to expose students to service opportunities beyond the campus, while also training students in prospective careers.
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More than 20 students signed up to serve the community through the SVC program at the organization’s recent open house. Fortunah believes that many students are looking for ways to get involved, to make a difference, and to supplement the learning that is taking place in the classroom.
“Since the average student acquires 20 percent of his or her learning in the classroom, the rest of the 80 percent must come from somewhere else. What better place to start?” said Fortunah.
Meis emphasized that volunteerism is a win-win situation by benefiting the students as well as the community being served.
“Serving others helps students build character and develop skills, and it’s rewarding to give something back to the community,” said Meis.
Located in the Bloomfield College Office of Career Services, the Student Volunteer Center serves as a data center that stores information on different organizations where students can volunteer. So far, the SVC has initiated partnerships with Friends of Bloomfield Animal Shelter, the United Way of Bloomfield, the Harriet Tubman School in Newark, Art on Cleveland in Orange, and the Protestant Community Centers, Inc. in Newark. Meis and Fortunah hope that the SVC will eventually become a full-service department that offers a variety of services in the non-profit sector. They plan to not only match students with organizations, but also assess the outcome and effectiveness of the pairing.
Not surprisingly, Meis and Fortunah both have previous experience with volunteer work. Fortunah has worked as a dog trainer, volunteered with several animal shelters, and served as a Bloomfield College peer mentor. Meis has participated in the Bergenfield Art Counsel, the Gardening Club of Bergenfield, the Big Brother/Big Sister program at Bergenfield High School, and various horticultural organizations within her community. Both students feel that the SVC will be another stepping stone in their personal and professional development.
Teri Corso, Director of Career Services at Bloomfield College, said she is delighted that Fortunah and Meis decided to create the volunteer center.
“I’m excited that the Student Volunteer Center was initiated by students; it’s a service by students for students,” she said. “It’s a perfect fit within the Office of Career Services since students often explore career opportunities through volunteerism.”
Community service has been a cornerstone of the Bloomfield College education for more than 130 years. All sophomore students are required to take a multidisciplinary course on social responsibility that includes 40 hours of community service. In addition, college-sanctioned clubs and organizations are required to engage in community service projects to receive college funding. Students regularly volunteer in such places as homeless shelters, nursing homes, museums and schools. The College has received recognition from the Red Cross, the United
Way, and other social organizations for its service efforts.
This fall, Bloomfield College was among the first 15 institutions nationwide to be profiled as part of “CampusCares,” a project created by the National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU) to promote volunteerism and civic engagement on America’s college campuses.
Founded in 1868 as a Presbyterian seminary, Bloomfield College has renewed itself to meet the changing needs of the community. The College has earned national recognition for its innovative, high-quality academic and co-curricular programs and for its commitment to serve students from all backgrounds, particularly those who have traditionally been excluded from higher education. Its mission is to prepare students to attain academic, personal and professional excellence in a multicultural and global society.
