Connecting Community Partners

Lori Hardesty is assistant director for service-learning and K-16 partnerships at UMBC’s Shriver Center.

Positive social change is the product of collaboration: relationships that empower everyone to make meaningful contributions to the common good. This week (as a part of National Volunteer Week) UMBC will celebrate and promote empowering partnerships at the Connecting Community Partners Service Fair, sponsored by the Office of Student Life and The Shriver Center. The event will take place Friday, April 26th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in UC 310 and 312.

The event is designed to build relationships among UMBC students, faculty and staff interested in deeper community engagement and with community organizations active in and around Baltimore. It will be valuable for faculty members looking for potential speakers or thinking about building new service-learning components into courses; students interested in tackling social issues, exploring post-graduate career options or planning events for their organizations; and anyone interested in meeting up with some inspired, inspiring people interested in making a difference.

Community partners who will participate range from U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education to Operation Welcome Home. Alyssa Budros of partner Soccer Without Borders shares:

The mission of our organization piggybacks off your mission as BreakingGround attempts to power meaningful change through community but also through the individual. … The work we do with these families cannot be done without partnerships, volunteers, mentors, and the help of the community.

I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all of these partners at the event, and hope to see you there too!

Contact the author, Lori Hardesty, at lhardesty@umbc.edu.