Building doors instead of holding signs

For the past year the fossil fuels divestment campaigns started to spread across the country. Today there are over 100 cities and states, 300 colleges and 10 other institutions with campaigns that aim to freeze fossil fuels investments and divest from direct ownership that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds within 5 years.

The national organization behind the divestment campaign is 350.org. It was founded in 2008 by U.S author Bill McKibben, who wrote one of the firsts books about climate change to the general public. “350” stands for 350 parts per million (ppm) which according to scientists is the safe upper limit for CO2 in the atmosphere to keep temperature rise below 2 °C and ease the effects of global warming. With thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries, 350 is building a global grassroots movement to solve climate change.

The popularity of the divestment movement inspired the organizers to partner up with several local organizations across the country during the summer to provide fellowships for 38 student divestment activists of over 30 different colleges and universities. The primary goals of this brand new program are to build bridges across the movement and increase the student’s organizing skills.

I got involved working on the divestment campaign at the University of Utah with several other students. When I heard about this fellowship opportunity, I applied right away. I thought it would be a great way to fill the gap between being an active student in the university and becoming a more active citizen in the community. I was so excited to be selected but also surprised to be the only student from the Northwest of the country to be in that group.

The fellowship kick-off was a week-long training early in June at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. It was over 60 hours of strategy, planning, organizing, action, media and non-violent direct action (NVDA) training. We were also taught thoroughly about the stages of social movement, SMART goals, recruitment and retention. The week was well structured and provided a good foundation for us to work during the summer. It gave us the valuable experience of meeting new people and making connections, and knowing that although we come from different places and backgrounds we have the same objectives and we’re not working by ourselves.

One of the parts that struck to me the most and was a good way to start the week was to getting to know the problems and how people reacted to them or the difference between truth and meaning. Instead of pushing the truth to people we have to meet them where they’re at and approach by what the truth means to them. I particularly appreciated the leadership training and getting to know your skills as a leader and the kinds of qualities that are essential to be successful in this role. Becoming a good leader includes being humble, a good listener and leading by example but also teaching. Let’s build doors, create opportunities, invite and empower people instead of simply holding signs and making noise.

I’m excited to work this summer as the Volunteer Coordinator for Peaceful Uprising. They do a wonderful job in Utah advocating for climate and social justice and their main campaign starting right now is to stop tar sands mining in the U.S. I’m grateful to be able to extend the experience and skills I developed working as a student leader at the Bennion Center for the past 4 and a half years and I know that I wouldn't be as involved in the community or even selected for this fellowship if it weren't for the opportunities I had here.

- Tammy Reque, Social Justice Coordinator

Edible Campus Gardens

About the Gardens

The Edible Campus Gardens are managed by the Office of Sustainability as outdoor laboratories for a variety of academic courses. They serve as demonstration gardens to showcase the beauty and diversity of edible landscaping in an urban setting. Additionally, the gardens provide service opportunities for student volunteers from the Bennion Center and others, as well as K12 youth education programs.

Dr. Fred Montague, professor of biology (now retired), founded the first campus edible garden at the Sill Center in 1996 as an outdoor laboratory for his courses. In 2002, he established a second garden site east of Pioneer Memorial Theater. The Pioneer Garden was greatly expanded in 2011 and again in 2012 when students successfully proposed more gardens instead of lawns after utilities construction work in the area dug up the existing turf.

When Dr. Montague retired in 2010 the Office of Sustainability assumed primary oversight. Sustainability Coordinator Jen Colby serves as gardens project advisor.  A handful of stalwart interns and coordinators have served throughout time as vital garden crew members.

Four-Season Gardening

The gardens have been designed to maximize diversity and growing space using raised bed techniques. Dr. Montague describes this method in an article in Catalyst Magazine

and in his beautiful, hand-lettered and illustrated book, Ecological Principles of Organic Gardening.

Although summer and fall are the height of the growing season, the gardens project is active year-round. The winter months are times for garden planning, seed starting in the Biology Department greenhouses, composting, and even some outdoor gardening. Students have been experimenting with season extenders such as row covers and low hoops to protect cold-hardy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and fava beans, as well as cover crops for soil conditioning and erosion control.

Summer brings a bounty of classic warm-weather crops such as beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and basil. Most varieties are heirlooms, and students experiment with different ones to see which do best at each site.

Produce grown in the gardens is sold seasonally at a student-run market stand. From July to mid-August, the stand is open Fridays at the Pioneer Garden site. Once theUniversity of Utah Farmers Market opens, the stand moves to Thursdays at Tanner Plaza. Some items are also sold to Chartwells, the campus dining service. All proceeds directly support the gardens. Vegetables are also donated to local charities, the Social Soup Lecture Series, and enjoyed by students and volunteers.

Students working in the gardens

How You Can Get Involved

The Edible Campus Gardens survive and thrive because of a dedicated crew of student and community volunteers. Volunteers are welcome year-round for a wide variety of projects, such as:

• planning and design;
• greenhouse work - seed starting and propagation;
• gardening;
• harvesting;
• helping at the Farmers Market booth;
• outreach and education - including tours for youth from local schools;
• planning and hosting events like the Fall Harvest Soiree; and
• enjoying the vegetables and fruits we grow!

We host both one-time projects and ongoing long-term efforts. Skilled gardeners are particularly welcome for some projects. No gardening experience is necessary, though.

The Bennion Center hosts the official Edible Campus Gardens Student Group. To get involved in the gardens, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.  The gardens are listed under Environmental Stewardship.

For more information you may also email the program advisor Jen Colby at the Office of Sustainability, or call 801-585-9352.

Like and follow University of Utah Edible Campus Gardens on Facebook to keep up with the latest projects, opportunities, and garden news.

We also encourage people to get involved in other ways.

• Take a class (click on the academic opportunities tab on this page)
• Shop at the produce stand at the U of U Farmers Market
• Donate to the project.

  

  Bradley DeHerrera, Campus Gardens PD

Gardens as Living Laboratories and Outdoor Classrooms

Do you want to learn how to grow your own food? Are you interested in the science of gardening? Or perhaps how gardens can serve as spaces for community building, artistic expression, and health? Consider taking a course!

The Sill and Pioneer Gardens serve as outdoor classrooms for the Department of Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Continuing Education, Biology, and more. 

A sample of current academic classes includes:

ENVST 3280, Organic Gardening, Summer Semester (cross-listed as ENVST 328 through Continuing Education)

BIOL 3460, Global Environmental Issues, Spring Semester (cross-listed as ENVST 3460)

AOCE Lifelong Learning 529, Vegetable Gardening Basics

Katie Sikkema harvesting beans

-Bradley DeHerrera, Campus Gardens Program Director

Alternative Breaks

Before spring break this year, I never thought I could love the Bennion Center any more than I already did. Then, I went on my very first Alternative Spring Break (ASB). It was honestly one of the best weeks of my life! Alternative Breaks are run through the Bennion Center, in partnership with the Center for Student Wellness. In the past, the majority of the trips were over spring break. Now, the program is expanding to a few trips over fall break as well. Alternative Breaks are the perfect combination of service, education, friendships, and fun!

The ASB trip I went on was in Seattle, WA. Each trip has a different focus, and ours was hunger and homelessness. We visited 2-3 different organizations each day, most of which included homeless resource centers and food banks. We were able to provide direct service, such as cleaning rooms and serving food, but we also received a lot of education about what each organization was doing to alleviate hunger and/or homelessness. This trip served as a great reminder of why I became involved in service in the first place. If you are not currently involved in service, these trips will inspire you to start!

Top ten reasons to go on an ASB trip next year:

10. Free t-shirt! All participants get an awesome t-shirt.

9.  When people ask you what you did over your break, you’ll actually have something great to tell them! Plus, you will look like such a good person when you mentioned that you spent most of your break doing service work.

8. Photos! Lots of new friends and sightseeing= lots of picture-taking. You may even get a few entertaining dance videos out of your trip.

7. The trips are relatively cheap compared to what you would normally spend on a vacation. Plus, there is often scholarship money available that will cut the cost down even more!

6. Road trip! Bring good music and some sweet dance moves.

5. Sight-seeing: Although service is a large component of the trip, there is plenty of time for seeing the city and shopping for souvenirs.

4. Networking: If you are particularly interested in the issue that your trip focuses on, you will learn a lot more about some of the organizations you could work with in the future.

3. Meet amazing people: Your staff partner, site leader, and fellow ASB participants will all be great people who are invested in service! Also, the community members you meet at the organizations you serve at will blow your mind.

2. Friendships and bonding: I was really surprised and amazed at how close I became to my ASB Seattle group after only one week. There is something about doing service together that brings people so much closer than they would be otherwise. There was a lot of love, laughter, and life in our group, and I am sure we will be friends for a long time!

1. Service! Volunteering is always great, but being able to participate in service while being in another city and making new friends makes it even better! You will be helping others, but you will also be learning a lot about yourself. It’s a win-win situation.

-Alice Ma, ASB Seattle ‘13 participant

 

Visit our website for more information on Alternative Breaks. Fall 2013 info coming soon.

English Skills Learning Center (ESLC)

Utah is home to thousands of refugees who have fled poor conditions in their homelands in home of a better life in America. The goal of the English Skills LearningCenter (ESLC) is to assist non-English speaking adult refugees and immigrants in learning English and acclimating in to American life. The ESLC currently tutors nearly 500 individuals from 40 different countries.

Here are ten reasons why I love volunteering with the English Skills Learning Center!

1.      The students love to learn! I am excited every time I go to teach a class because the students cheer me up with their positive attitudes about life and learning.

2.      The ESLC staff is SO supportive! I am never nervous to teach because I know I have the support of a wonderful, experienced mentor when preparing lessons if needed.

3.      I get to be creative when preparing my lessons! I have learned a lot about what works, what doesn’t, and how to prepare activities that the students will enjoy and find useful.

4.      There are a variety of student levels I can teach! Individuals need help in all stages of their transition, whether learning basic English, applying for citizenship, or getting a driver’s license.

5.      I get to see the students’ progress! I love when I can tell the students really understand something they didn’t know before. I know I am truly helping them improve the quality of their daily lives.

6.      I can get to know my students! Whether it’s a one-on-one class or a small group class, I am teaching the same students over an extended period of time so I can really get to know the students and appreciate their improvement.

7.      I get a glimpse into other cultures! I have taught students from all over – Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, the Congo, Nepal, Mexico, Iraq, Iran – and I love hearing about life in other places.

8.      The ESLC is accommodating about teaching locations! There are a variety of places I can select from to teach at, depending on what works for me.

9.      The training is excellent! Going to the training was so beneficial. I learned a lot about how people learn and felt very prepared when I was assigned to my class.

10.  Basically it just feels good to serve others and I know I am making a difference!

If you would like to know more about the English Skills Learning Center, e-mail programdirector.eslc@gmail.com and I’ll tell you everything you need to know!

-Kelsi Foutz, ESLC Program Director

 

Girl Scouts

Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer for Girl Scouts

10. You get to have some amazing Girl Scout cookies!
9. You get to do fun activities.
8. You have amazing new experiences.
7. You get to have hands on volunteering in community.
6. It opens doors to new volunteering opportunities in the Bennion Center.
5. You get to take ownership of your volunteering experience.
4. You get to meet some wonderful people you would not be able to otherwise.
3. You get to develop mentoring relationships with the girls.
2. You get to change young girl’s lives.
1. You have the opportunity to guide girls to build courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place!

Bonus:  you get to hang out with Olive and Valery!

Reasons we volunteer:

Olive: Volunteering for the Girl Scout program at the Bennion Center came naturally for me since I have been involved in Girl Scouts since first grade. When I first got involved, I wanted to give young girls the opportunity to have some of the same experiences I had within scouting and I continue to volunteer to develop leadership skills and to get new experiences.
Valery:  I worked at a Boy Scout camp before coming to the U.  The experiences and feelings I had there gave way to me wanting to keep regularly volunteering.  I found the Girl Scout program in the Bennion Center and learned of what they stood for.  I believe in those things too and being able to have girls learn and explore makes volunteering even better. I believe that by volunteering we are more aware of the people around us and our desire to help and contribute in our community increase. 

We love what we do with Girl Scouts and we want to share that with you!

-Olive Poulson and Valery Kennion, Girl Scouts Program Directors

College Bound Highland

College Day

A Day Of Inspiration, Information And Incentive

Highland High School became a community partner with the Bennion Center on Fall 2011. The program started because of two moms at Highland High who identified the need of free ACT prep classes at the school and came to the Bennion Center for help. I was excited to direct the program and get it up and running as soon as possible. As a result of the 2011-2012 evaluation on the ACT Prep course, I felt that the kids at the Highland High needed more than just preparation for an assessment test; they needed reasons and encouragement to want to take the test and go to college.

In order to improve the program and be able to reach out for more kids, it was proposed that the program adapted a larger approach – the program would then be called College Bound. In addition to the ACT prep classes, the program would offer tutoring and other tools for students to be successful in high school. A bigger and exciting addition to this program would be an event called “College Day”.

The purpose of College Day is to inform high school students about college preparation, inspire them to pursue higher education and let them know that they have incentive and support.  The idea was to bring Highland High students of all years (freshman, sophomore, junior and senior) to spend a day at the University of Utah to learn about the importance of going to college, what they can do in high school right now to prepare for it and get a feel of what college looks like.

With the help of amazing volunteers and a dedicated co-director, we had an incredible event. Initially, we were planning College Day for 40 students but we had so many more interested in coming that we ended up having 110 students being part of this. All the kids that came to the U were excited to learn more about college and were very receptive. This is a part of our community partners’ reflection about the event:

“Highland High absolutely loves The Bennion Center. College Day was a great success. We cannot believe the thoughtful hours of hard work you so generously gave our students.  Breaking the students into their classes was a wonderful idea. Sometimes, college seems overwhelming but the students were taught the steps they need to take now to make higher education attainable”

We’re happy to announce that College Day will be back for Spring 2013 on March 28 and we need a lot of volunteers to make it happen!

For more information about College Day and how to get involved, please email us at actprephighland@gmail.com

- Tammy Reque, College Bound Program Director

Arts for Youth

What is Arts For Youth?
Arts For Youth works with Title I schools in the South Salt Lake City district to teach art lessons to kids. Arts For Youth (AFY) works at two different elementary schools: Lincoln Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Elementary. Volunteers go to the after-school programs and teach kids art in the form of visual, musical, theatrical, dance, or more. Along with teaching art, volunteers are role models for the students (grade 1-6) by encouraging them to respect each other and the environment.

Volunteer Roles:

• Lesson Planner: This person comes up with the main lesson plan (which should be about an hour long). There are many sources to find lesson plans: YouTube, Pinterest, or simply thinking back to when you were doing art as a kid.
• Instructor: This person gets the attention of the students and explains the lesson plan to the students. It is more organized to have one instructor; however, all the volunteers walk around and help the students.
• Material Pick-up:   This person picks up the materials bag from the Bennion Center on the day of volunteering.
• Photographer: This person takes uses their own camera to take pictures of the volunteers, the students, and the art process.
• Shadow: All new volunteers are required to attend a shadowing session, where they will go to a school and follow a previous AFY volunteer. They will see what the different roles entail and they will get the chance to work with the kids before they are required to complete a background check.
• Driver (optional): A lot of our volunteers do not have cars, therefore we have the optional driver for anyone who has a car and would like to give rides to other volunteers. If not, we highly encourage our volunteers to take public transportation to the schools (its FREE with a UID). 

 

Why Should You Volunteer with Arts For Youth?

All of our volunteers have a great time working with the kids at the elementary schools. Similarly, the kids LOVE having college students come to their school to help them with art. The kids are so enthusiastic and look forward each week to see University of Utah volunteers. Also, every year, there is an Arts For Youth Showcase for the kids to show off their beautiful artwork. This showcase is a chance for students and their families to come to a free event and see the artwork, get free food, and have a great time with their child. We always have our volunteers at the Showcase for face painting or helping out with other small art projects. So, if you are looking for a leadership role or just want to volunteer with fun kids, then Arts For Youth is the program for you!

-Brittany Thurgood, Arts for Youth Program Director