Linfield College was recently recognized for exemplary community engagement by the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
“Our primary focus this year is to serve youth from disadvantaged circumstances and to support homeless and low-income people in our community,” said Jessica Wade, community service coordinator at Linfield (pictured).
The college was recognized for its outreach to homeless people in Yamhill County and beyond. Students served more than 2,000 meals to individuals who are struggling to remain housed, and coordinated a Homeless Youth Reading Program. Through service learning projects, students conducted interviews with homeless individuals, documenting personal stories and connecting them to community services that address housing and hunger.
Other student volunteers mentored elementary school children in the McMinnville School District. They supported afterschool Power Hour and Kids on the Block programs, literacy initiatives such as SMART and America Reads, and college access programs, including ASPIRE and Upward Bound.
More than 1,000 Linfield students volunteered 25,000 community service hours in 2009. The college is one of nine Oregon schools to be honored. The award is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
