University of Memphis junior Constance Williams wanted hercollege experience to be more than textbooks, tests and lectures,so she took a road trip and learned what it was like to behomeless.
Williams got a new perspective on life by volunteering herspring break to spend time helping homeless men in Texas as part ofStudents Advocating Service, a U of M community serviceprogram.
"It was really rewarding because I got to see people in a partof the country I never would have otherwise," Williams said. "Ialso got to know 14 people from schools I never would have met oncampus."
SAS is a little-known campus resource with volunteeropportunities that appeal to students, faculty and staff. Thestudent organization operates under the Student Activitiesumbrella.
The University's Office of Student Activities provides studentsa chance to focus on something other than their studies through itsvolunteerism and service-learning programs.
"Aside from the feeling (students) get from doing somethinggood, they also form lasting friendships while working on volunteerprograms," said Angie Dunlap, U of M student activitiescoordinator.
SAS offers a variety of volunteer activities every month. Thelargest project each month is the Service on Saturday program,which involves 6 to 12 different Saturday morning projects eachmonth of the fall and spring semesters.
"We have an abundance of volunteer opportunities each month,"said Cynthia Randolph, Students Advocating Service president."There's always something for everyone."
Each month, a variety of students, from freshmen to graduatestudents, spend their time helping people in the Memphis-metroarea, Dunlap said.
The volunteer opportunities offered by SAS and the studentvolunteerism and service-learning programs aren't just forstudents, Dunlap said. They're open to faculty and staff aswell.
In addition to the Service on Saturday program, students canalso take part in the Focus On projects that SAS sponsors severaltimes during the academic year.
In October, SAS will collect used cellular phones outside of theLiberty Bowl Stadium as part of The University's homecomingactivities, Randolph said. The phones will benefit victims ofdomestic violence by providing phones that can only be used inemergency situations to contact police. Verizon Wireless willreprogram the phones free of charge, Randolph said.
October is also Health Issues Month for SAS, and they will haveinformational and educational sessions on breast cancer throughoutthe month.
Students can also spend their Spring Break volunteering with theAlternative Spring Break program provided through the volunteerismand service-learning program.
Last year, Williams went to Texas as a part of the program, andthis year students will go to New Orleans to participate in variousvolunteer programs. The one-week trip costs $75, which coverstravel, lodging and food costs.
"It's a great opportunity for students to get outside of theirworld and to see the rest of the world in a different perspective,"Williams said.
