Photos: Service Learning “Pass it Forward” Event

Over 220 students, faculty, staff, friends and family joined the Academic Service Learning Center for their annual “Pass It Forward”, ePIFany Now event on Saturday, February 26th. 30 groups of 6-10 participants each filled the streets of Grand Rapids with an important mission: put a smile on a stranger’s face. The idea was simple: we served others in creative, direct ways and encouraged them to do the same!

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The day was hugely successful and participants really got into the spirit of giving. The ASLC would like to send a huge thank you to Chaz Rodriguez, president of Black Student Union, for getting the crowd excited for the day and all the faculty and staff that helped to get the word out – we couldn’t have done it without you!  Lori Mikita, a student and participant in the event, shared:

The “Pass it Forward” event was one of the most meaningful, heart-warming, eye-opening, experiences I have ever had the privilege of being a part of! It is a wonderful thing to take time out of our busy lives to acknowledge people, all people, whether it be the homeless or just somebody we run into on the street, at the grocery store, or anywhere. The look on the faces of those who are on the receiving end of a random act of kindness it priceless! And, while their day is brightened, being the one to give them that moment is even more rewarding; being on the giving end I feel the happiness ten-fold! And that feeling is addictive!

You can find additional photos from the event here. If you’d like to join us for upcoming events, please “like” us on our facebook page or visit http://www.grcc.edu/servicelearning to stay updated! Our next event, scheduled to celebrate Earth Day is on Friday, April 15th. Contact Kelsey Caverly at kcaverly@grcc.edu or 234-3459 for more information.

GRCC in the News: 3/4/11

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County awarded $1 million to prepare youth for jobs
Published: Thursday, March 03, 2011, 2:43 PM | Monica Scott The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS — Habitat for Humanity of Kent County has been awarded more than $1 million by the U.S. Department of Labor to help prepare young people for good jobs. […] Jessica Anderson, Habitat data and communication coordinator, said the group is partnering with Bethany Christian Services and Grand Rapids Community College Tassell M-TEC to build LEED certified homes. (More)

GRCC’s website gets a facelift
By Austin Metz | Editor In Chief | The Collegaite

Grand Rapids Community College will be offering a soft launch of the new school website during the week of February 21 and, according to Kevin O’Halla, Head of the IT department, the school is looking to go live with the site on March 14. The soft launch, which will last about four weeks, is being done to allow staff the time to find what students want and also ways to improve before the site is completed.  (More)

IIPD Grant Applications Due March 25, 2011

The deadline for submission of grant applications for the Instructional Improvement & Professional Development (IIPD) program is 4:30 p.m., March 25, 2011. Please note that the IIPD Guidelines and all application forms have been revised . The revised application packet and Guidelines are available in the IIPD and SSPD Grants section of the Grants Office website at www.grcc.edu/grants. Applications should be delivered to the GRCC Foundation Office, 1st floor, College Park Plaza. If you have any questions about IIPD grants, please contact Judith Larsen, Director of Grants and Resource Development at 234-3910 or at jmlarsen@grcc.edu.