VOLUNTEER & SERVICE-LEARNING CENTER Cleveland Hall 306 716-878-5811 vslc@buffalostate.edu http://vslc.buffalostate.edu

WHAT IS SERVICE-LEARNING? A form of active learning that links learning in the classroom with activities that students participate in to address the needs of the surrounding community. Last year 1,705 students completed 34,953 hours of service through 96 service-learning courses

BENEFITS OF SERVICE-LEARNING FOR STUDENTS Develop and improve skills Meet new people Improve your resume Explore professional fields Make a difference!

NOTICE ANYTHING? TEN TOP SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT Leadership National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2016 Leadership Ability to work in a team Written communication skills Problem-solving skills Verbal communication skills Strong work ethic Initiative Analytical skills Flexibility Technical skills BUFFALO STATE STUDENT REPORTED BENEFITS OF SERVICE-LEARNING * Self-confidence * Working as part of a team * Communication skills * Problem-solving skills * Public speaking skills * Research skills * Critical thinking skills * Analytical skills * Real world experience * Computer skills

STUDENT FEEDBACK 78% would encourage other students to try service-learning 83% learn course content best when connections are made to real life 93% felt they learn from people who are different from them 88% felt they could make a difference in the community

BUFFALO’S ASSETS Rated #1 on Forbes’ “America’s Most Affordable Cities” Buildings designed by over 100 American architects, including H.H. Richardson, Louis Sullivan, E.B. Green & Frank Lloyd Wright Buffalo Park System designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead 21 institutions of higher education in the metro-region 2,000 refugees and immigrants resettle in Buffalo every year H.H. Richardson- designed the former Buffalo State Hospital (now Buffalo Psychiatric Center) across from campus. Louis Sullivan- designed the Guaranty Building downtown E.B. Green- designed the Marcy Casino in Delaware Park & ten grand homes on Delaware Ave Frank Lloyd Wright- designed Graycliff, Darwin Martin House, and Larkin Company Administration Building The Park System included parks (such as Delaware Park) and parkways (Lincoln Parkway, etc). Fredrick Law Olmstead also designed Central Park in New York City, as well as parks in Paris, France and Washington D.C.

BUFFALO’S ASSETS Over 80 community gardens Garden Walk Buffalo is the largest garden tour in America Buffalo is home to over 50 art galleries and 22 professional theaters Shakespeare in Delaware Park is the second largest outdoor Shakespeare festival in the country Hosts the third oldest zoo in the US Community gardens are overseen by Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo, a non-profit, that helps block clubs and residents secure and lease vacant land from the city where they plan to place the garden Garden Walk Buffalo was established in 1995 and over 60,000 people visit the gardens each year.

BUFFALO’S CHALLENGES 4th poorest large city in the US 26% of families live in poverty 3rd most abandoned houses Buffalo’s vacancy rate is triple the rest of Erie County (15.7%) Information taken from Partnership for the Public Good

BUFFALO’S CHALLENGES 2,000 people are homeless on any given night in Buffalo. 57% of Buffalo’s children (under age 5) live in poverty. 1/3 of the adult population in Buffalo live below the poverty line. Buffalo-Niagara region is the 8th most segregated in US The homeless number refers to individuals who are staying in shelters and on the street Data taken from: Homeless Alliance of WNY; Partnership for the Public Good

NEW ARRIVALS ON THE WESTSIDE 24% of all refugees that come into NYS settle in Buffalo Each year 1,600-2,000 refugees are resettled in Buffalo The Westside is the most diverse neighborhood, with over 70 spoken languages Countries of origin include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Ghana, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Thailand The Westside is attractive due to abundant, low-cost housing, and easy access to public transportation

BUFFALO’S YOUTH 42% of youth (ages 5-18) in the city of Buffalo live in poverty Poor children are twice as likely to have repeated a grade, to have been expelled or suspended, or to have dropped out of high school The high school graduation rate for the city is 61% Without a high school diploma, a young person is twice as likely to be unemployed

YOUR SERVICE-LEARNING EXPERIENCE Community Partner Organizations Say That Service-Learning Students Help Them To…. 100% Increase the number of clients served 100% Incorporate new ideas 98% Better meet community needs 98% Increase services offered 96% Increase mentoring services 98% Make new connections

GETTING STARTED EXPECTATIONS When calling your contact or arriving at the site for the first time: Introduce yourself Identify the reason you are calling (or are present) Identify the service-learning course and professor Indicate how many hours you are required to complete for the course Know the course’s objective for your service-learning

Address issues promptly (with supervisor, faculty, VSLC staff) WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU Be prompt and positive at the organization Be open to learning about cultures and lifestyles that are different than your own Be respectful Communicate with your supervisor if you are unable to make your scheduled time Address issues promptly (with supervisor, faculty, VSLC staff) Remember, you are representing SUNY Buffalo State

HOW DO I GET THERE? Public Transportation www.NFTA.com Carpool EXPECTATIONS Public Transportation www.NFTA.com Carpool Personal Transportation http://vslc.buffalostate.edu/students - directions and contact information for your service-learning site.

SERVICE LOG Keep an accurate record of your service hours Have the community agency or staff verify your hours and sign your service log Sign and return to your professor If the professor is requiring that the students track their hours, the use of a service log can be very helpful. Many organizations have adopted this form or something similar so speak with your contact at the organization about their policies as well.

SAFETY REMINDERS Familiarize yourself with the new area ahead of time Travel with a buddy Carry only what you need Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return Always lock your doors and leave a light on Park or walk in well-lit areas Never leave valuables in plain sight If you become a victim of a crime call 911 (on-campus call 716-878-6333) It’s important to always keep in mind safety while on campus, at home, or in the community.

To Find Service-Learning Designated Courses: Designated Service-Learning courses can be found in Banner. To find a service-learning designated course when scheduling courses for the next semester, choose one of the three choices under the “Instructional Method” tab. To know if a course includes service-learning, click on and read the description of the course. To Know if a Course includes Service-Learning:

OTHER VSLC OPPORTUNITIES Bengals Dare to Care Day (September 17, 2016) Volunteer Fair (September 28, 2016) Alternative Winter Break (December 16-22, 2016) There are other ways to get involved with VSLC programming both on and off campus!