The Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement will host a Winter Volunteer Fair on Jan. 28 in the Don Taft University Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Around 20 local community affiliates from the South Florida community, including the American Cancer Society and Best Buddies of Broward, will set up booths set up along the Don Taft University Center Spine. Community affiliate representatives will be on hand to talk about available projects, as well as ongoing opportunities.
Graduate Assistant for Civic Engagement Tara Scagliarini said it is important for NSU to host the volunteer fair each semester.
“The volunteer fair allows attendees the opportunity to experience the culture of our campus, as well as have direct contact with our students,” Scagliarini said.
Students can stop at one or many tables to meet community affiliates and hear information about area nonprofits and volunteer opportunities.
Lauren Soares, graduate assistant for Leadership Development and Civic Engagement, said the volunteer fair allows students to learn about the different opportunities to get involved in the community.
“Whether it is for service hours or to volunteer for fun, a student can find an organization that fits with their interests and passions,” she said.
Soares said students should attend the fair because it will help them meet community affiliates who work at nonprofits.
“Rather than a student having to find out about organizations that offer volunteer opportunities on their own, students can meet the individuals that work there face-to-face and ask questions about what it’s like to volunteer at their organization,” Soares said. “Some affiliates even have internship opportunities.”
Attendees do not need to dress a certain way.
“The main reason why we have the fair set up in the spine is so students can walk through on their way to lunch or class,” Soares said. “Bringing business cards would be helpful to hand to the community affiliates students are interested in working with, but it is not mandatory.”
Some community affiliates attending the fair include Debbie’s Dream Foundation, Easter Seals South Florida, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Feeding South Florida, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, Miami Rescue Mission, Special Olympics and the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Lauderdale.
For more information or to learn about the community affiliates, please contact the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at slce@nova.edu or at 954-262-7195.