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During the first week of class, the Department of Community Engagement hosts an Involvement Fair and welcomes approximately 20 community nonprofit partners to advertise volunteer opportunities to more than 400 ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps, faculty, and staff. In late fall, a post-graduate service fair welcomes 12 to 15 post-graduation organizations, including popular international programs (The Peace Corps), faith-based programs (Mercy Volunteer Corps and Jesuit Volunteer Corps), and local programs (Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA).

Faculty members in various disciplines often create unique ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp learning experiences that align with the Mercy mission, in addition to providing value to the community. Whether it’s an entire Social Work course teaching leadership through mentoring in a local elementary school, or a Criminal Justice senior seminar with a ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp-led project promoting healthier communities with a local partner, the Department of Community Engagement works with faculty members and ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps to support the process. In some cases, ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps in service-learning courses may apply for mini-grants to subsidize the cost of project materials.

Highlighted by domestic and international spring break alternative break trips, the Department of Community Engagement also hosts half-day, overnight, or weekend trips/retreats for service, fellowship, and leadership development throughout the year.

These opportunities include local volunteer placements and the ability to establish or sustain community partnerships for class projects (from facilitated reflections to full classroom presentations). The Department of Community Engagement works alongside ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps and faculty members in a variety of ways to bridge both the gaps between the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp campus and the Erie community and physical experiences and learning.

Student food insecurity is a reality among many educational institutions in this day and age. The Department of Community Engagement supports this confidential program that provides a weekly backpack of food and supplies for any ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp who expresses a need.

is a new ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp-driven volunteer platform developed to support the Department of Community Engagement and Erie community. Any ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp can follow the account on social media and respond to various campus and community-based needs, typically on a one-time basis.

This event takes place each year in early spring, with over 100 elementary and middle school girls having a chance to meet dozens of female ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp-athletes. Participants also have the opportunity to experience ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp women’s sports through various stations in the recreation center, as well as watching a women’s sporting event with the female ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp athletes.

This is an annual event each May where ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps may donate non-perishable food, clothing, and houseware items in their residence hall common areas. A group of ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp and employee volunteers collects, sorts, and donates the items to local nonprofit organizations.

This program matches ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps with a current community partner organization and provides a meaningful and valuable employment and leadership development experience for ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapps while also providing a great service to the community.