Learning in the Community offers many co-curricular activities to engage students in service.
This
program engages Washburn students in focused service away from campus over
winter and spring academic breaks.
Alternative break trips originated with college students in the early
1980s as a counter to “traditional” break trips. The aim of the experience is to contribute
volunteer hours to communities in need, and to positively influence the life of
the alternative breaker. Many students
have returned to their college campuses to create a campus organization related
to the social issue, have a deeper understanding and commitment to an academic
path, execute a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization with whom they
worked, organize a letter writing campaign to members of Congress, volunteer in
their local community, or commit to an internship or career within the
nonprofit sector.
This
student organization promotes both international service and support of
international partners who address the needs of underserved communities around
the world. Past projects have included raising money to provide the necessary
funds and supplies to run electricity to El Limon, a small community in
Nicaragua; the development of a scholarship fund to provide educational access
to students in Nicaragua; and organizing two major food packaging events that
provided meals to the people of Haiti after the earthquake and to refugees in
the Sudan. Washburn Peace Works also
works to create awareness of international social justice issues.
Oxfam
America is an international relief
and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger,
and injustice. Together with individuals
and local groups in more than 90 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people
overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. For the past three years, a LinC
Scholar/Bonner Leader has applied for and been chosen as an Oxfam Change Leader. In this capacity, they attend a week-long
training in Boston during the summer and direct the activities of the Oxfam
Club for the coming year. Among other
events, this includes Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week at Washburn, the
annual Hunger Banquet, and the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for those persons who
are transitioning from homelessness. The
mission of this Club and of Oxfam America is to create lasting solutions to
poverty, hunger, and social injustice.
Washburn
Gardens seek to address the hunger and nutritional challenges of Topeka and
Shawnee County. The LinC Scholars/Bonner
Leaders created this community garden on the campus of Washburn University in
2009. Food insecure individuals feel the
impact of nutritional deprivation in all facets of their lives. Lack of proper nutrition contributes to
obesity, lifelong health problems, diminished learning potential and is a
negative force on both the individual and the community well being. Washburn Gardens engages the campus community
to collaborate in an educational and enjoyable garden experience to grow
healthy foods to help lessen the impact of hunger in Topeka and particularly
the patrons of Let’s Help. Ultimately,
the mission is to create access to locally grown food by developing a
sustainable food system.