Instituting a new service day by combining university and community resources
Abstract
AmeriCorps*VISTA members at the University of Montana, under the auspices of the Montana Campus Compact (MTCC), helped institute the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service in Missoula, Montana. By partnering with Missoula Youth Homes, 35 volunteers helped paint, patch, and provide basic maintenance to homes in economically distressed areas. A reflection and learning component to highlight diversity issues was included in the daylong event. Shannon Maynard, AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader and Publications Specialist, submitted this effective practice in April 2002.Issue
AmeriCorps*VISTA members who work on college campuses need to find ways to bridge the gap between the universities and the communities where they are located, and between ideas and implementation.Action
AmeriCorps*VISTA members at the University of Montana, in partnership with Missoula Youth Homes, helped renovate and provide basic maintenance to homes in economically distressed areas. Effective practices included:
Planning
- Partnering with Missoula Youth Homes to create a day of meaningful service in the community.
- Meeting monthly with representatives from Missoula Youth Homes to plan the home maintenance projects that would take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
- Deciding collaboratively with Missoula Youth Homes, which homes in the community would be painted, cleaned, and undergo basic woodworking repair on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.
- Organizing a multicultural reflection period to take place after the work period on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day to highlight diverse cultures. At the Reflection and Learning Component, student cultural organizations from the University of Montana provided traditions from their cultures to share with the youth volunteers and to commemorate the life and spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Twelve volunteers, international students, and community members with international experience shared their knowledge of world cultures with the youth. The volunteers shared their knowledge of Cambodia, India, Japan, Russia, Kyrgstan, Ecuador, Kenya, Bosnia, Native Americans, China, Taiwan, and the Buddhist religion.
- Recruiting volunteers from the University of Montana to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service.
- Meeting with various University of Montana student cultural organizations to enlist students for the service projects and to act as agents of cultural exchange during the reflection period.
- Contacting the University of Montana's Foreign Student and Scholar Services Office (added 8 volunteers for service with Missoula Youth Homes and as presenters for the multicultural project).
- Querying other community service organizations for volunteers, such as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (5 volunteers added).
- Advertising for volunteers in the campus dorms and at high profile locations on the University of Montana campus.
- Advertising for volunteers in campus publications such as Main Hall to Main Street and The Montanan.
- Seeking appropriate community space to have the event. (A local church donated a portion of the cost for use of space.)
- Soliciting local businesses to provide food for the event.
- Submitting a proposal for funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service project to MTCC in January of 2001. MTCC received a $2500 Martin Luther King, Jr., Service Day Grant from the Corporation for National Service. These funds were used to implement the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service in Missoula, Montana.
Context
The Montana Campus Compact (MTCC) is a non-profit organization committed to renewing the public purposes of higher education by promoting volunteerism, public service, and service learning on Montana's college and university campuses. The MTCC AmeriCorps*VISTA project mission is to work with campuses to serve low-income populations by coordinating volunteer efforts and expanding the financial resources available to campuses and communities for volunteerism. The MTCC member campuses offer a wide range of resources to their communities and the AmeriCorps*VISTA project helps to mobilize them. The MTCC has member institutions in many of the state's economically distressed areas where AmeriCorps*VISTA members spend their time assessing community needs and resources, recruiting volunteers, raising money and other resources for their sites, and helping to implement community plans.
"Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day - Pride in Missoula Youth Homes" is a joint project between the Montana Campus Compact, Missoula Youth Homes, and University of Montana student cultural and service organizations.
Outcome
Posted On
May 21, 2002For More Information