FROM STAFF REPORTS

Dozens of University of Montevallo students found ways to give back to the community and get connected with area agencies during a Sept. 25 internship and volunteer fair in Anna Irvin Dining Hall.

The fair featured booths for 17 agencies from throughout central Alabama, and gave students a chance to learn more about getting involved with nonprofit organizations.

“As a nonprofit, interns and volunteers are really the lifeblood of what you can do,” said Charlotte Knapp, marketing manager for The Foundry Ministries. “So this is a great opportunity for us to get students energized and involved in our organization so they can impact their community and also get valuable experience.”

The event was organized through a partnership between the University’s Office of Service Learning and Engagement, Department of Partnerships and Outreach and Career Development Center and has been hosted at UM for several years.

“We love having non-profit representatives come out for this annual event, and we’re always thrilled to hear feedback from students when they’ve made a valuable connection with one of the participating organizations,” said UM Director of Partnerships and Outreach Sarah Hendren. “Our hope in hosting this event is that it will offer students a chance to explore off-campus volunteer and internship opportunities but also be reminded of the wonderful resources we have on-campus at the Career Development Center.”

“The Nonprofit Volunteer and Internship Fair is important to the goals of the Office of Service Learning and Community Engagement because it provides students with an opportunity to meet local nonprofit agencies that are looking for volunteers and interns,” said Dr. Sierra Turner, coordinator of UM’s Office of Service Learning and Community Engagement. “We are interested in supplementing students’ educational opportunities with enriching experiences that not only provide them with professional skills, but also helps them become global citizens of the world.”

The following agencies were represented at the fair: Alabama Wildlife Center, Birmingham Zoo, Bridge Builders Alabama, Camp Fire Alabama, Make-A-Wish Alabama, Montevallo Main Street, Owen’s House, Ronald McDonald House, SafeShelby, Shelby County Commission, Shelby Emergency Assistance, The Arc of Shelby County, The Foundry Ministries, UM Career Development Center, UM Falcon Scholars in Action, UM Sustainability and Environmental Studies and YWCA AmeriCorps.