“COMMUNICATIONS IN COMMUNITY” INTERNS BRING YOU INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY —
Just a walk, bike ride or five-minute drive away are the Northside and Arcadia communities. Some of you may have heard of the revitalizing efforts in the Northside that are underway, and Spanish 303 students especially can tell you all about the Arcadia community. These students who know about the people and places that surround Wofford are in the minority, and those who venture out to these places are even less common.
Part of Wofford’s new Strategic Vision includes “a commitment to cultivating citizenship, civic engagement and leadership opportunities as an integral part of the education experience.” Yet, how will students get involved when we are told as soon as we come in to Wofford to think of North Church Street as a river that should not be crossed – to not explore the place we call home for some of the most important years of our lives?
In an effort to attract civic-minded students to engage with the Arcadia and Northside communities surrounding Wofford, I have gathered information about the Northside and Arcadia and organizations who work within those communities to make a difference. Students who wish to engage can simply go to http://www.woffordcs.net/civicengagement, a site created by fellow intern Daija Rogers. Students who are passionate or curious about civic engagement can go to the website to find information about Arcadia and the Northside and issues that may peak their interest.
Those who are concerned about food disparity and how health relates to poverty could work with the Hub City Farmers Market. Students who are looking at child-oriented careers have plenty of options at Cleveland Academy of Leadership and Arcadia Elementary. All you have to do is click on the issue that you feel passionate about and it will lead you to different organizations with which you can intern or volunteer.
Wofford is a small campus in a big community, so why not go see what’s out there? Get involved, whether it’s to gain experience, empower residents or just satisfy your curiosity.
— Carol Morel