Students at Carroll Community College have rallied around people in need through a wide range of service-learning projects that are now under the umbrella of a Student Life-organized campaign called “i-Serve Service-Learning.”

The Carroll “i-Serve Service-Learning” initiative encompasses recent student projects such as Westminster Clean-Up, New Life for Girls, SERRV International, My Sister’s Place, Carroll Lutheran Village, and the Cold Weather Shelter.

“Carroll students have always accomplished a number of service-learning projects as part of academic communities, Leadership Challenge, and off-campus trips,” said Coordinator of Experiential Learning and Student Organizations Heather Diehl. “Now that we advertised the opportunities more, students are talking about them and we have a stronger, unified concept.” This spring, Carroll students were out in full force in the community. On February 21, students volunteered at SERRV International to learn about fair trade and to package hand-made items from around the world. On March 21, students went to Carroll Lutheran Village to help with a seated basketball activity for the residents.

Starting in October, students took responsibility for serving a meal for the homeless at the Cold Weather Shelter as an ongoing project that culminated on March 25. Six days later, students helped to create a garden space for New Life for Girls, an organization that provides a life-changing environment for women in need.

Two events in April allowed students to continue to help those who are less fortunate. On April 5, Carroll students joined McDaniel College students for a day of service to help clean-up the Westminster community. On April 11, students helped to serve a meal at a local resource center called My Sister’s Place.

In addition, students have worked with the elderly population in the community and the Student Life office plans to help students creatively address other human services issues in the future. College President Dr. James Ball said, “I am impressed with the creativity of the projects that are student-planned and implemented. Our students are busy with class and work responsibilities, yet they find time to give to others. This provides great benefit all around. Students apply and reinforce their classroom learning, help solve problems, and contribute to their community at the same time. We are very proud of them.”

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