Students who volunteer can gain experience and education that they might not be able get by just being a student. "If you choose wisely, by volunteering you will get back more than what you put in," David LeBlanc, Ball State University professor and former Peace Core officer, said
As a part of the Leadership and Service Learning Week of Action, a panel of experts from various community service organizations spoke to Ball State students Thursday.
Volunteering for organizations such as United Way or Habitat for Humanity offers students the chance to give back to their community. It is generally hard to get Ball State students to volunteer because many work part-time or full-time on top of their schooling, LeBlanc said.
Many students don't know the opportunities of volunteering that exist in their community. The United Way raises money and divides the proceeds among more than 20 agencies and 60 programs. Motivate our Minds Tutoring and Enrichment program benefits elementary school students. Volunteers for the program help students excel in school and gives them a better chance to succeed. Habitat for Humanity not only builds homes, but it also educates families on how to control their budgets, gives them skills to find stable jobs and gives families information that could help them better their lives, said Ken Puent from the College Avenue Church and Habitat for Humanity.
"Volunteering is a two-way street," Puent said. "We send volunteers out into the neighborhood to see what everyone needs."
The community benefits when students volunteer. There have been 59 homes built during the last 29 years, and this year Habitat for Humanity will build eight homes in Delaware County.
Ball State Students can benefit from volunteering in the community, Neil Schmottlach, who works for the Ball Brother's Foundation, said. Volunteering can develop many career-building qualities. Students gain skills and references by working on projects dealing with education, human relations, money and handy work.
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