Keeping Promises: Get Out in the Community

By Kelli Swensen, Dietetics Student, Sargent College

Happy 2012! With a new year, I think it’s only right to change up the blog a little bit. What kind of changes? Well instead of Spice of the Month, this year we’ll be featuring Grain of the Month – check out our January Grain of the Month post tomorrow for more info on this. The change I’m most excited about is more of an addition than a change. Each month will have a specific theme, and each Monday we will have a featured post relating to that theme.

To kick off the New Year, it’s only right that January’s theme is New Year Resolutions. Somewhat of a joke these days, it is tradition for individuals to make one or two resolutions, or goals, for the New Year. This month’s posts will focus on five of the most common resolutions and how to not only reach them but also continue to keep them throughout the year.

Resolution #1: Volunteer More

Volunteers

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With constantly busy schedules it’s easy to get swept up by personal needs and obligations. While staying on top of your work and social life is important, taking time to volunteer not only helps the community, but is also a rewarding break from the usual routine.

How to get involved:

For BU students, the CSC has made it easy to get involved. Check out their website and blog where they have long-term program opportunities as well as one time volunteer events listed. I have participate in the Student Food Rescue Program where you spend about an hour or two picking up unsold food from establishments such as Panera or Starbucks and deliver the food to various homeless shelters around Boston. This is a great chance to help out the Boston community while getting to know other BU students.

 

FYSOP: Apply to be a FYSOP Staff Leader

FYSOP: Apply to be a FYSOP Staff Leader

Some recommended BU volunteer opportunities:

  • Alternative Spring Break: No need to worry about fitting in time to volunteer into your schedule! Instead, spend your spring break traveling by bus or plane to a different part of the country (or even Puerto Rico) along with 10-13 other BU students. The trips are divided up by service issue such as HIV/AIDS awareness, children, environmental protection, and hunger. Check out the ASB webpage here for all the details. Also be sure to visit the ASB blog, which has info not only on the program itself, but also blogs from last year’s trips so you can get first-hand accounts of the experience.
  • Afterschool: Love working with kids? The Afterschool program gives BU students the opportunity to got to schools throughout Boston to tutor kids in grades K-12. The program is semester-long and requires you to be able to donate 2-4 hours a week.
  • Project Hope: The Project Hope program gives students the opportunity to help those with or at risk for HIV in the Boston Community. Students are required to volunteer 2-3 hours per week for an entire semester.

For those of you who do not attend BU or go to BU but want more ideas, here are some great websites to get you started:

Remember: there are NUMEROUS ways to help out. Whether it’s donating your Sunday afternoon at a soup kitchen or donating money once a month to help take care of a child in a developing nation, every little bit you can do helps.

Do you have a volunteer experience you’d like to share or a recommendation for a place to help out at? We’d love to here! Leave us a comment below.

Upcoming posts:
1/9 — Resolution #2: Be less stressed/More organized
1/16 – Resolution #3: Eat healthier
1/23 – Resolution #4: Exercise more
1/30 – Resolution #5: Drink less

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