Volunteer and Service-Learning Center

Giving Big, Gaining Big!

SOC 486: Sociology Practicum. Instructor: Dr. Gary Welborn

Students in this course have partnered with the West Side Community Collaborative to create the first draft of the West Side Community Storybook. The Story Book project was developed by the Collaborative to show the rich cultural diversity of the area, show the positive quality of life that exists in the area, and point out the countless hours of volunteer efforts that residents put into community building.
They interviewed and took photographs of residents, activists, youth, business owners and service providers in the West Side Community Collaborative area.
They put the pictures and photographs together in a poster session for the community at the April 30 Collaborative meeting.

EDU 211: Introduction to Literacy. Instructor: Ms. Harriet Sacks.

Students complete 10 hours of service at Buffalo Public Schools 45 or 38 tutoring elementary students in reading and literacy.

COM 308W: Public Relations Writing. Instructor: Dr. Deborah Silverman

Students develop public relations materials for partner community agencies including public relations documents and tools such as news releases, fact sheets, fliers, brochures, position statements, Web pages, and appeal letters, as well as resumes.
The students assemble PR portfolios that are presented to the organization for further use.

HTR 300: Food and Beverage Management. Instructor; Mr. Stephen Burgeson

Students organize food and beverage services for special events in the community.
A partnership with Loaves and Fishes Dining Hall provides for excellent hands- on experience.

SWK 319: Dynamics of Poverty. Instructor: Dr. Christopher Aviles

Students complete 20 hours of service with an agency of their choosing which serves underprivileged populations.
Through this experience, students are exposed to the many aspects of poverty on both a local and national level.

CSP 650: Student Assessment; Tests and Measurement. Dr. Richard Herdlein

Graduate Students conduct assessment practices for agencies, measuring the impact of services on program participants
The findings of the study, specific recommendations based on the findings, and personal observations are developed by students.

CSP 689: Methods and techniques of Educational Research. Dr. Richard Herdlein

Students will also be required to complete a survey using quantitative methodologies the following semester to confirm the results of the initial assessment.
This will result in a very comprehensive (25-30) page research paper and report that should be very useful to the organization and may be used as a basis for requesting a grant, etc.

CRS 610: Advanced Creative Problem Solving. Instructor: Dr. John Cabra

Students will have the opportunity to look at the recurring challenges and problems that community organizations and companies encounter with a trained facilitator.
Community Partners benefit from the assistance that students provide with the facilitation of change, new initiatives, or problem solving within the organization.

ENG 354: Multi-Ethnic American Literature. Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Kelley

Students study historical novels. For their service learning and writing projects, they create seminars, publications, and fundraising events in collaboration with local, national and global organizations.
Some students choose to support VIVÉ and International Institute of Buffalo, both of which serve Buffalo's expanding, albeit largely invisible refugee population.
Others find "home culture" and social issue connections to the literature by conducting clothing drives for The City Mission and gift card fundraiser events for Caroline's House, a domestic violence shelter for women and children.
Such service projects empower students' narrative analyses and simultaneously train students as participant researchers in civic discourse and responsibility.

Updated: 7/12/2004