First-Year Connection: Volunteerism
First-Year Connection: Volunteerism
First-Year Connection: Volunteerism
UPDATE (6/26/23): The First-Year Connection: Volunteerism program is suspended and will not continue until further notice.
Rowan University’s First-Year Connection Program gives new students a jump start on learning new skills and establishing long-lasting friendships. Entering students arrive early on-campus for Fall semester, and they participate in group activities run by University staff members and upper-class student leaders. Through participation in one of the four program tracts – Adventure, Arts & Entertainment, Leadership, and Volunteerism – students can engage in different experiences, interact with new people, and make discoveries about the world and themselves.
The Connect through Volunteerism tract, organized by the Office of Volunteerism, Community Engagement & Commuter Services, is open to all new students - incoming freshmen as well as new transfers. It is designed to introduce students to meaningful volunteer opportunities in the surrounding community. Each day students engage in projects at local non-profit agencies whose mission it is to help others. Examples of activities are renovating homes with Habitat for Humanity, painting murals at local agencies, cooking and delivering meals for a soup kitchen, spending time with senior citizens, and socializing with cats/dogs at an area SPCA.
The activities vary year to year, but they are always followed up by discussion and reflection on the service experience. Upper-class leaders facilitate the activities and answer questions on issues & apprehensions that are most often on the minds of volunteers. The team leaders also share information on campus services, clubs, and ways to get involved in campus life. Additionally, social activities are held during the evening so that students have a chance to relax, unwind, and have fun.
First-Year Connection: Volunteerism 2019 - Registration is OPEN! (However, we are still in the process of planning this year's specific service projects & schedule)
