Serving the Community: A Powerful Way to Get Involved at Gonzaga

By: Chris Wheatley

As Orientation day approaches, there will be no shortage of people encouraging your student to “get involved” at college. From intramural sports, clubs, retreats and on-campus employment, the options are seemingly limitless, all providing opportunities to learn, grow and connect outside the classroom. One powerful way to engage while at Gonzaga is through community service programs hosted by the Center for Community Action and Service Learning (CCASL). 

Service to the community is a crucial aspect of Gonzaga’s mission and campus culture. Each year,over 3,000 students contribute over 75,000 hours of service through CCASL programs alone. Service includes mentoring at-risk youth in public schools, playing Special Olympics Sports, serving meals at the House of Charity, taking part in our Homeless Outreach program and many, many other programs. Students who volunteer during their freshmen year are also eligible to become one of CCASL’s 100 student leaders, who run many of the programs, gaining valuable leadership and job-related skills for their life after Gonzaga.

Your student does not have to wait until Orientation to begin signing up.Applications for on-going service programs are available now at www.gonzaga.edu/service. Students can fill out their application now and CCASL staff will meet with them once they have had a chance to settle in after Orientation.

If you want your student to engage in a meaningful, life changing experience during their time at Gonzaga, encourage them to check at the Center for Community Action and Service Learning (CCASL). Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ccasl, e-mail us at serve@gonzaga.edu or call (509) 313-6824.