More than 150 volunteers participated in the fourth annual Carleton Serves event Sept. 24.
The one-day community service learning event sends groups of students across the city to work on a variety of service projects with partner organizations.
The goal is to encourage students to link academic study and “larger public life,” said Kaylee Mask, Carleton’s student experience and community outreach coordinator.
Partner organizations included the Canadian Biodiversity Institute (CBI), Carlingview Manor, Cornerstone Housing for Women and others.
Second-year political science and African studies student Gys Weverink said he considered the day a success.
“I really enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to learn about the lives of people affected by AIDS in the Ottawa community,” said Weverink, the team leader for the AIDS Committee of Ottawa.
He said he spent the day making safe sex kits and helping set up for the AIDS Walk.
“It’s interesting to see the politicization of AIDS even in a country claiming to be a front runner in health care and development,” he said.
Fellow volunteer Charlie Nielson said he also considered the day a success. The third-year commerce student and team leader for the Heart and Stroke Foundation said volunteering is important because it has a strong impact.
At the end of the day, students had an opportunity to reflect on their impact, Mask said.
“Providing service is more than volunteering,” she said. “While the term ‘volunteering’ suggests a vertical charity model, service is about mutual learning and solidarity between participants and the community members with whom they are working.”
