Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 13, 2002, edition 1 / Page 6
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UMUMUM .fylLLLjpcrU dlft M. .CLOWI Bridging the Gap Between Guilford and Greensboro Sara Addison Staff Writer With 12 ongoing volunteer op portunities, a helpful staff, and the resources to support student ideas for new service-based projects, Project Community enables Guilford students to enrich the Greensboro community. Project Community, located in the basement of Founders, makes it easy for students to participate in community learn ing by maintaining ties with Greensboro service organizations and training student volunteers. Community learning involves getting to know the surrounding area (in our case, Greensboro) and finding ways in which we can make it better. It is also an opportunity to learn about the realities of life outside of Guilford. "We want them [students] to be agents of change and to see the community for what it is," said James Shields, Guilford's Di rector of Community Learning. "We want to dispel some of the Amado Brings Energy and Enthusiam to the SOAN Department Josh Caray Staff Writer Maria Amado stands about 5'6." She wears a modest yellow dress and speaks softly, but in her short time at Guilford Amado has helped to rebuild a once-floun dering department. As a professor of sociology and anthropology, Amado has become one of the most popu lar professors in her depart ment. Amado's Racial and Eth nic Relations class has gone three preconceived notions people have." One way that students can be agents of change is to sign up for one of Project Community's 12 established vol unteer sites. Shields said that Guilford has worked with some of these sites for over five years. Project Community volun teer opportunities range from helping African families adjust to life in America to spending time with U.S. veterans at the Servant Center. Shields says that the most popular volunteer sites are Path ways Tutoring Program for chil dren, Prison Literacy, and Montagnard Dega Association. Other volunteer sites include educating students through the Aids about A.I.D.S. program, work ing on environmental projects at the Piedmont Environmental Center, and tutoring at the Greensboro Buddhist Center. Project Community can also be a valuable resource for Bonner Scholars who are re students above the class capac ity of 25. Considering the recent losses in the SOAN department, her timing couldn't be better. The SOAN department was in a state of flux after losing half of its faculty members following the 2000-2001 school year. De partment head Edwins Laban Gwako went in search of a Latin American professor who offered a package of the qualities needed to be a member of the SOAN department. quired to perform community service to receive their scholar ships. Claire Dixon, the Bonner Scholar Coordinator, said that it is easy for Bonners to partici pate in Project Communitie's es tablished programs. Project Community also wel comes student proposals for vol unteer projects that are related to community service, social change, or awareness. "Project Community has con nections and financial resources to help you get your project underway," said Shields. With the help of Project Community, stu dents began a new volunteer site with Habitat for Humanity last year. Project Community spon sors the Volunteer Fair every fall to provide a way for students to find out about volunteer oppor tunities and sign up to partici pate. Sophomore Genna Cohen, a Project Coordinator for Project Community, said, "This year's fair was great. We had tons of people who were interested in volunteer • _ it ing. Amado won the job over 72 other applicants after she con ducted a class interview that Gwako said was outstanding. Ac cording to Gwako, Amado was a "perfect match," and the only applicant to be given a consen sus of positive evaluations from students and faculty. When told of Gwako's com ments, Amado merely said that she was flattered and very satis fied with her interview perfor mance. As for the challenge of SA 18k. MK Kii^B W Hp cflHB James Shields, Wanda Williams and Clair Dickson of Project Community Sarah Sherman For those of us with busy schedules, there is a volunteer opportunity nearly every day of the week. Cohen also said that there are one-time volunteering opportunities during the year that help nourish the larger programs. Smaller opportunities include the Bonner Memorial Soup Bowl and on-campus trick-or-treating. During the Soup Bowl, Guilford and Greensboro College will compete helping to rebuild the SOAN department, Amado said that she sees the task as challeng ing but stimulating. Amado also said that the department has much potential. Amado's responses should be of no surprise considering the Panama native is no stranger to adversity. She was still in Panama in 1989 when the U.S. invaded the country in search of General Manuel Noriega, the former dic tator of Panama. Amado wit September 13, 2002 Page 6 to see who can collect the most canned food. It will be held throughout the week before Sept. 21. On Halloween, children from all the major volunteer sites come to trick-or-treat at the doors of Guilford students who volunteer to give out candy. "Project Community is here for all students. It's for anyone who has an interest and wants to help," said Shields. nessed people being killed and losing their homes dur ing the invasion. Amado says that she is more than happy to be at Guilford due to our "strong sense of com mitment to the issues." Many people are enthused by Amado's presence at Guilford a. According to Janet Wright, Archdale secretary, "her energy and enthusiasm for the job are a refreshing addition to the de partment."
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