S.C. Campus Compact Supervisor: Jennifer Shurley SCCC VISTA: Amber Thacker “If you come to help me, you are wasting your time… But if you come because your liberation is bound with mine, let us walk together.” This past year serving at Clemson and working with folks in the Gantt Center for Student Life as they fight for Social Justice, this quote accurately captures a paradigm shift for me. I believe a lot of us in national service took this path because of a desire to help others, but it wasn’t until this year that I realized that is not sufficient. Serving as a VISTA at Clemson has truly showed me that in order to create real change, our intent cannot be a self -sacrificing one. Rather, it must be borne out of the realization that we are strongly interconnected and cannot live full lives as individuals until each member of our community has the ability to do the same. Amber Thacker & Jennifer Shurley
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Supervisor: Paula Drummond SCCC VISTA: Sarah Chafe
Supervisor: Stephanie Visser SCCC VISTA: Laura Mewbourn
For the past year, I have served as the coordinator of the Bonner Leader program at the College of CharlesI have ton. The Bonner Leader Program is Paula Drummond & a scholarship program focusing on community service and leadership Sarah Chafe development. Each student is partnered with non-profits where they never lived out of the state of Massaserve 10 hours a week. We meet weekchusetts, so when I told my family I ly to educate the group on topics inwanted to move to South Carolina, cluding time management, study skills, you can imagine their surprise. Decidand policy development. I collaborating to be part of South Carolina Camed with non-profits to develop new pus Compact was a big step for me. Not only was I leaving behind my fam- placements, organized service projects, and developed lesson plans. I’ve done ily and friends but I was deviating trail work in the rainforest of Puerto from my plan. There was no year of service in the plan, but this detour may Rico, developed policies that should strengthen the program for many years have been the best one I could have to come, and built relationships with taken. This detour has actually proved 26 amazing students. not to be a detour at all, but just a new path. Thinking back on my year at Coastal Carolina, I will remember all the experiences that I have had. I took students on two alternative break trips, planned events for Hunger and Homelessness Week, started a volunteer services retreat, and helped students complete over 1,350 hours of community service. These students have reminded me of why I ultimately took a leap of faith and moved 17 hours from home. I did it because deep down my passion for service and leadership outweigh anything else. The joy I get in watching these students grow into civic minded individuals is undeniable. I am grateful to have watched them grow over this last year and they have certainly helped me to grow as well!
Laura Mewbourn & Stephanie Visser
” www.sccampuscompact.org - South Carolina Campus Compact
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