Service

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Social responsibility is a core value at Eastern. Students are encouraged to contribute to the local community as soon as they arrive on campus, and they respond by generously sharing their time and talents in many ways. The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is the focal point for coordinating community service on campus. Service projects are also sponsored by student clubs, athletic teams and resident halls. In addition, “service learning” courses connect classroom learning to related community needs.

1,500

volunteers

$700,000

value to community

28,000

hours

Community Programs

Students volunteer at the local soup kitchen, in local after-school programs, at senior centers, and with many other social agencies and nonprofits. Learn More

Special Events

Volunteer at local events ranging from the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to the Special Olympics Swim Meet, from the Penguin Plunge to the annual Walk for Warmth. Learn More

Service Learning Courses

More than 100 courses over time — tied to majors and serving the local hospital, the local community garden, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and other causes. Learn More

CCE House

Eastern volunteers have their own house—the Center for Community Engagement—where student leaders help professional staff match engaged students to pressing community needs; coordinate ongoing service projects; and plan special service events.

School Programs

Almost 1,000 students volunteer in local in- and after-school programs, leveraging ringing their expertise to tutor middle and high school students, plan recreational activities and provide personal support.

Special Events

The Center for Community Engagement manages upward of 100 events a year, ranging from one-time events to local traditions such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Special Olympics Swim Meet, the Penguin Plunge and the Walk for Warmth.

Food Security

Eastern students actively assist in local food and nutrition programs, distributing healthy food through the Connecticut Food Bank; volunteering in community gardens; and supporting other local food security and nutritional programs.

Town Pride, Town Wide

“Town Pride, Town Wide” is a popular spring beautification day when Eastern students, alumni and local residents work together to clean and spruce up streets and public spaces in Willimantic.

Service Expo/Awards

Each spring, the CCE hosts a Service Expo to showcase the contributions of Eastern students, capped off by an award reception at the end of the day.

For more information:
(860) 465-0090
cce@easternct.edu

Student Leaders

Center for Community Engagement

Jocelyn Santiago ’19

Jocelyn is a student leader at Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement. “I believe that everyone should be involved in community service,” she said. “Volunteering is a mutually beneficial experience — the community gains something out of it and so do we, whether the gain is pre-professional experience, networking, or even pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”

Center for Community Engagement

Carly Perron ’18

Carly Perron ’18, a History and Social Science major, is a student leader with Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement. “I wanted to work for the CCE because of my passion for their mission. Here at the CCE, there is a never-ending push to better the Willimantic community and the greater community of Connecticut. I could not pass up the opportunity to take part in that.”

Volunteer Leader

Italo Bucca ’19

Italo managed the Windham Middle School After School Program and Windham High School ESOL Mentoring Program, an English language-learning program for Spanish-speaking youth in Willimantic. “I can speak from my own experience and assure them that it’s possible to learn English. I, too, only spoke Spanish, so it gives them hope. Working for the CCE is an opportunity to make my surroundings a better place.”