Spirit of Volunteerism at GWU

Reflecting:

Volunteering is an important part of citizenship in the United States and its part of the lifeblood of my school, George Washington University.


Understanding

Last year, First Lady, Michelle Obama challenged GWU to 100,000 hours of community service.



























Negotiating

There are a myriad of ways to lend a hand -- and many students, faculty and staff answered the call and served all over DC, New Orleans and spent alternative Winter and Spring breaks breaking ground and building houses and schools.

Volunteering is just not about serving the needy; it could also mean serving your fellow students -- the bottom line -- you're helping out wherever you find the need, and wherever you are needed.  If everyone did this, this world, this society that we call home would be a much better place to thrive and co-exist.

Innovating

For me, Haiti was my call.  I was pleased and honored to be associated with Pastor Luc St Felix whose 3-story church was completely demolished.  I was also pleased to be involved in collaborative work of the Crisis Response Triad.

At GWU, I found the Consortium for Haiti Relief "A Day for Haiti" very informative and helpful.


“The children cannot wait,” said Haitian First Lady Elizabeth Preval. “The future of the current generation is in jeopardy.”


Navigating

The one thing that immediately strikes me about the graduation is the many different nationalities that are represented and participated.

GWU is definitely an institution for volunteerism.  GWU is a melting pot of different races, cultures and traditions.

It is an institution of democracy, freedom and civic responsibility.