Giving Back Gives Hope

The Plymouth State Community Service Center is a way for students to become engaged in service activities as well as events on campus. Not only does it connect students with one another, but to faculty and staff members as well. 

Kayla Skroback, a former member of the center, spoke about the center in a positive light, "Students can express a specific interest in any form of service and can be directed to upcoming events... they can get to know one another while they give back to the community." 

Linda Corriveau, the Coordinator of the Community Service Center, works with the all the student run organizations that are run through the center. She mentioned, "It is important to everyone involved in the Community Service Center to allow students to have opportunities to expand their skills sets, help others in need as well as learning something about themselves."

One influential activity the center has been responsible for planning is Alternative Spring Break. Since the late 1990s, the alternative spring break program has given students a new way to spend their vacation. Instead of partaking in a steroetypical spring break, this trip gives students the opportunity to help others. 

The trip is a week-long and is a community service based trip that allows student to give back to communities all around the country. 

Last semester, students were sent to places such as Alabama, Virginia and Tennessee. In Alabama, students went to Baldwin County's Habitat for Humanity, and helped build a barn, shed, and other buildings. Other trips included volunteering at animal shelters and recreational youth centers.

The Community Service Center also runs other events including the annual Blood Drive and Food Drives, as well as The International Service trip. 

"Service Saturdays" is a way to help around the local Plymouth community during the fall and spring seasons. The center is also responsible for the winter's Angel Tree Projects, whichprovide holiday gifts for children and teens around the Plymouth area. 

Students all over campus have been gracious and rewarded from the volunteer experiences with the Community Service Center. Skroback loved her experience and hopes other students will find as many worthwhile experiences as she did. "It has been truly a rewarding experience working with the Community Service Center," said Skroback. "I hope to work with them again soon!" 

Any other students wanting to volunteer around campus can go to the Community Service Center in room 110 of the Hartman Union Building for guidance on how to get involved in things like Spring Fling or Earth Jam, and other fun-filled events.