Sep. 5 marked the International Day of Charity, an annual day of charity recognition first declared by the United Nations in 2012.
Community is the final of eight core values on which NSU has built its name. NSU administrators, students and alumni regularly participate in programs and organizations that give back to local and global communities. In recognition of this past International Day of Charity, take a look at these Sharks who exemplify what it means to be part of a community.
Onica Charles: A lifetime of philanthropy
Onica Charles completed NSU’s graduate program in 2009 and is the founder and CEO of International Children’s Outreach (ICO), Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission to empower children living in poverty.
Charles was born and raised in Guyana until the age of 12, then relocated to the U.S. with her parents. Charles said that her background inspired her to start ICO.
“After going to school and being able to get out of poverty, I wanted to give back because I felt like I was fortunate enough to get out of that situation. I feel like it’s my duty now to go back and help,” she said.
ICO has outreach programs in Florida, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Lucia and South Africa. Currently, the organization is working on a community center in Guyana that Charles hopes will be fully operational in the next few years.
When asked about how undergraduate students can get involved in service, Charles said not to be afraid to start small.
“Just start. A lot of individuals feel like they need to do something big and grand, but they don’t,” said Charles.
Charles said students who want to expand their philanthropic endeavors can do so after they have established a career and direction they would like to take. In the meantime, small acts of kindness and volunteering can go a long way. She said that she has worked with NSU students in the past, and they can volunteer with ICO.
For more information about ICO, visit icocharity.org.
Schae Maynard: A student with a passion
Schae Maynard, senior environmental science major, said that she has had a passion for service since she was very young. While attending high school in Trinidad and Tobago, where she is originally from, Maynard became involved with community service projects. Before attending NSU, she spent a year working with non-profit organization the Loveuntil Foundation.
As an NSU Shark, Maynard has chosen to continue giving back to the community. When she’s not working in the Office of Orientation as an orientation coordinator for first-time college students, Maynard works closely with the campus Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Office. She particularly focuses on service trips, one of which she will help lead this year.
Last year, Maynard took part in the New Orleans service trip, where Sharks took part in restoration projects for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“Getting to actively engage in such a beautiful community, people with such great spirits and great stories, was truly inspirational,” Maynard said about the trip.
Maynard also attended a service trip to Orlando, where Sharks volunteered for the Special Olympics.
“I had never experienced the Special Olympics before, and the skill and dedication that these athletes have for their sport, and their level of sportsmanship — even when they did not win — is something I now strive for,” she said.
After graduation, Maynard plans to continue serving the community. She plans to attend graduate school, majoring in college student affairs. She hopes to work for an office that focuses on civic engagement so that she can plan service projects and help guide students into community service.
Maynard said that students should not be afraid to contact the Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Office or find other avenues for community service.
“It really helps you evaluate what you value as important,” Maynard said.
The Student Leadership and Civic Engagment Office: Leading others into service
Liz Mazorowicz, graduate assistant for civic engagement, said that the SLCE office, located in the Rosenthal Building, is always willing to speak to students who are interested in becoming involved with service trips (SAS trips) and NSU days of service. Mazorowicz said that as an undergraduate, service trips helped define what civic engagement meant to her.
“You really get to work with one issue, and you get to learn about yourself,” said Mazorowicz.
Each SAS trip focuses on one particular social issue or event. Last year, the SAS trips focused on disaster restoration, wildlife, community development and the Special Olympics.
Mazorowicz said that students may feel hesitant about becoming involved with SAS trips or civic engagement but that they shouldn’t let that stop them from participating. Community service provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with high rewards.
“If there’s any part of you that’s wanting to do something and wanting to make a difference, you have to come along with us,” said Mazorowicz.
Emily Konicki, sophomore biology major, works in the SLCE office and plans days of service. She reaches out to community programs and tries to schedule events that will significantly impact the community. Community affiliates include HandsOn Broward, Habitat for Humanity and Feeding South Florida.
Konicki said that students can contact affiliates to volunteer for the organizations outside of days of service. She said students can get contact information by asking the SLCE office, visiting the organization’s website or attending the volunteer fairs in the fall and winter.
Konicki said that students should explore their options and become involved in civic engagement because it not only helps the community, but it is rewarding for the student.
“You can see the impact that you have on someone else just by volunteering two or three hours of your day—it’s the smallest acts of kindness that can go the longest way,” she said.
As a university, NSU sees the value of giving back to the community, so take time to explore civic engagement opportunities. Through acts of service, Sharks have proven that they can make a difference on a local and global scale.
Image credit: Schae Maynard
Caption: NSU Sharks on a 2015 service trip.
