SERVICE LEARNING

Students In Service

Students in Service (SIS) is a part-time AmeriCorps program which encourages and supports college students in their efforts in providing valuable service to the community. SIS members make a difference in their communities, learn valuable skills, and earn an education award while doing so. Each SIS member has to complete 300 hours of service in one full year in order to earn a $1, 132 educational award. This year WOU was given 45 spots to fill in September. By December, we had filled all our spots and had students working at various community organizations. Overall, in the time that WOU has been a part of the SIS program, $117,000 have been awarded to students in total. If you are interested in knowing more about this program, please look for more information in September 2011 when we kick the program off again with new spots!

Winter Term Service Day

On February 19, 2011, the Spring Alternative Break participants had the opportunity to work for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds home that are simple, decent and affordable for low-income families. Currently, there is a building going on in South Salem that WOU students were able to participant in. Students helped in a variety of ways from digging a trench behind a retaining wall to moving gravel and dirt to various areas around the house to some student putting on siding on the exterior of the house, along with cleaning up after construction. Overall, WOU students did not hesitate to get their hands dirty and dig in to help. Their efforts were greatly appreciated by the staff of Habitat, and were told that they made a difference in completing the home.

Meet Kyleigh!

Kyleigh is from Forest Grove, OR. She is currently a senior in the Psychology program with a minor in Communications. Kyleigh has worked in SLCD since her sophomore year when she transferred to WOU from Pacific Lutheran University and this year started her position as Volunteer Program Coordinator. Kyleigh assists in running the Students and Elders Encouraging Kindness (SEEK) program, Students in Service (SIS) Americorps program, and other volunteer activities. She encourages everyone to get involved and volunteer in their communities! Kyleigh has been a part of several organizations on campus including the International Ambassadors/ Mentor (I-AM) program, Campus Ambassadors, psychology research teams, and currently also works for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) as a College Recruitment Intern. Kyleigh hopes to eventually attend graduate school and obtain a Master's degree in counseling and would like to end up back in a University setting. She recently got married over Christmas break.