Changing Our World

Clark students strive to contribute something of value to the world-it’s one hallmark of a Clark education. So it’s typical of Clarkies to be engaged in a variety of projects that not only enhance their learning, but also make a difference in our local or global communities.

Community engagement plays an integral part of a student’s years at Clark, and there are many local opportunities available for students who want to make a difference. Clark’s leadership in the University Park Partnership (UPP) exemplies the University’s commitment to its Worcester Main South neighborhood. Almost half of the Clark student population gets involved in the Worcester community each year through community-service projects, internships, community service-focused work-study positions or community based learning courses. For many Clark students, volunteering in Clarks Main South neighborhood is an important Co-curricular activity.

To name a few examples, Clark students:

• Mentor and tutor kids at the Boys & Girls Club
• Serve dinner at the People in Peril (PIP) Shelter
• Play bingo with Donna Kay Rest Home
• Help low-income families apply for home-ownership loans at the Main CDC
• Participate in Just Do It Day each spring
• Participate in United Way Day of Caring each fall

Supporting Volunteerism at Clark

Clark’s Community Engagement and Volunteering (CEV) Center serves as a central hub on campus for the University’s long-standing volunteer efforts. The CEV Center provides resources for students interested in serving in the Worcester community and educates the Clark community about important social issues. The center supports student volunteers, service related student organizations, and faculty and staff interested in community-based learning. The center also maintains an online database of Worcester organizations seeking volunteers, hosts a volunteer fair each fall to help students connect to agencies and sponsors on-campus training workshops and dialogues.

• The Food for Thought Dialogue Series provides students with an opportunity to discuss community or global topics of interest. Past sessions have included topics such as “Clark and the Community: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. “ “Human Sex Trafficking,” “Environmental Concerns,” and “DisAbility Awareness.”
  
  
• More than 250 students and 30 agencies and student groups participate in the annual Volunteer Fair each September. Students can find information about student placements or internships from agency representatives.
  
  
• Just Do It Day is an annual event for members of the Clark community. each spring, approximately 200 Clark students spend a Saturday afternoon working with a local organization. Projects range from general clean-ups to visiting the elderly. This fun filled afternoon is followed by an after-party in the Grind, where students share highlights and pictures from the day.

Clark’s commitment to community service extends far beyond campus and the city of Worcester. Each year, Clark students are awarded fellowships and grants that allow them to apply their classroom and research experience to the greater global community, such as:

• Fulbright Awards, which support graduate research with global reach
• Anton Fellowships, which fund undergraduate research in the United States and beyond
• Compton Mentor Fellowships, which sponsor community-service projects aimed at improving society

Making a Difference Scholarships

The Making a Difference (MAD) Scholarship is a $48,000 four-year scholarship ($12,000 per year), which is offered to first year students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to and leadership in community-engagement endeavors. In addition, MAD Scholars are offered a $2,500 taxable stipend and housing allowance to support projects they may undertake in the Worcester community during the summer following their sophmore year or junior years.

A Sampling of Previous MAD summer projects:

• Two students coordinated a six-week after-school summer program for neighborhood youth.
• Three students participated in the community organizing internship with Planned Parenthood.
• Two students completed research on recreational justice in Worcester that compared the accessibility and quality of play space in different neighborhoods.
• One student explored funding opportunities and applied for grants to support ALL Kinds of Girls, a Clark student-run organization that mentors girls ages 9-12.
• One student crafted a conflict-mediation training with a caseworker from Jeremiah’s Inn.

For More Information Contact:
Heather Vaillette, Clark Dining Services - hvaillette@clarku.edu
Micki Davis, Clark Community Engagement & Volunteering - midavis@clarku.edu