The Civic Engagement Team of Grand Valley State University’s Office of Student Life (OSL) hosted a week of volunteer opportunities and service projects related to the greater Grand Rapids community. From Monday, March 24 to Friday, March 28, students engaged with five nonprofit organizations and campus partners in an effort to give back to community members in need.
The organizations and campus partners included in 5 Days of Service were Ottawa County Parks, The Other Way Ministry, Gilda’s Club, the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) and Kids’ Food Basket. By engaging with groups that provide different types of services, students were able to learn about how each organization fulfills a need within the community.
SAP is conveniently located near the University’s Allendale Campus, and students worked with team members to learn about sustainable practices concerning local food production processes. At Ottawa County Parks, volunteers removed invasive species of plants from park grounds while learning about wildlife and plant maintenance. Students also learned the value of maintaining urban spaces during a service project at The Other Way Ministry. Volunteers cleaned and organized both inside and outside of the property. At Gilda’s Club, a space for individuals diagnosed with cancer, students were able to directly provide support by participating in group activities and preparing food. Kids’ Food Basket, whose mission is to ensure accessible and nutritious food for children, welcomed volunteers in packing and decorating lunch bags, while also learning about food insecurity in urban areas.
“5 Days of Service is a one-week event allowing GVSU students to volunteer with local organizations,” said Sandra Osei, a civic engagement assistant for OSL. “The goal is to connect students with their community, introduce them to local nonprofits and encourage lifelong civic engagement. It’s a way for students to give back while also learning about the impact of service.”
Osei noted that 5 Days of Service started as Community Outreach Week in collaboration with GVSU Alumni Relations, but after the pandemic, the tradition was restructured to become more student-focused and accessible.
Muhammad Qasim, also an OSL civic engagement assistant, explained that local organizations and partners are selected based on proximity to the University and ease of travel.
“The main idea was to select local organizations where students can commute easily (on the) Laker Line with our site leader or (an organization that) can come on or near campus,” Qasim said. “We also considered choosing organizations with different activities to participate in each day.”
Osei elaborated on this, stating OSL aims to provide a diverse range of service opportunities for students.
“Some organizations, like Sustainable Agriculture Project, allow students to contribute on campus, while others, like The Other Way Ministry and Gilda’s Club, provide opportunities to support people in need through direct service,” Osei said.
Through acts of service, student volunteers contributed to the preservation of organizations and demonstrated multiple ways to show love and respect to their community. Offering one’s time and keeping an open mind has the potential to make a significant difference and act as a bridge for connection, trust and sustainability. The OSL Student Engagement Team nurtures this potential by promoting such service opportunities.
