Baker College students give to community, prepare for careers

Like Santa’s elves, Baker College of Jackson’s human services students have been busy this fall.

Through multiple service-learning projects, the students have collected 100 pounds of food and a “mountain” of toys, raised $4,900, and transformed a plain room at an elementary school into an inspiring library. The projects were designed to make a positive impact in the community, however, the experiences are also helping the Baker College students prepare for employment in the human services sector.

“Baker College’s human services programs are designed to prepare students for a variety of jobs that by definition involve serving others,” said Brad Schweda, director of the human services program at Baker College of Jackson. “Part of that preparation is learning through participation in the many projects we undertake to address the needs within our community.”

A key project was the second annual Craft Show coordinated by the Baker College chapter of Tau Upsilon Alpha Honor Society for Human Services. TUA members, HUS students and program alumni worked together to raise $4,900 through vendor and admission fees. The money was used for scholarships for local agencies and to fund other Baker College service-related projects.

One such project, the While You Were Out event, used the funds to create an engaging space for a K-5 library at da Vinci Primary School, a Title I school in Jackson. Federal Title I funds support educational programs that have high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families.

“This awesome project is the handiwork of 23 freshman students who put their hearts into making the library a really fun place to be,” said Schweda. “They created the design, sourced the materials and provided the manpower that produced a colorful space resembling the inside of a submarine under the sea. It’s a place that will stimulate a child’s imagination.”

This was the 16th year that the Jackson campus human services department initiated the While You Were Out event. It zeros in on the needs of nonprofit organizations and provides a project that can be completed while the owner or operator is “out” for a day or two.

The Craft Show also helped the students collect 100 pounds of food. Attendees who made a canned food contribution were eligible for an admission discount. The food was donated to AWARE Inc., an organization that provides shelter and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Students in the Introduction to Human Services class gathered toys for the nonprofit Together We Can Make a Difference. The Baker College collection was so large, instructor Robin Stephens said it was referred to as “Baker Mountain.”

Together We can Make a Difference annually distributes Christmas toys to more than 4,000 needy children through its Priceless Gift Toy Store.

For more information about Baker College of Jackson’s human services programs, contact Daniel Smith in the admissions office at daniel.smith@baker.edu or 517.788.7800, or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 23,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in distance education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

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Photo Captions:

Baker toy drive 1 & 2—Baker College students in a human services class gathered so many toys for the nonprofit Together We Can Make a Difference, that their collection was referred to as “Baker Mountain.” The toys are being distributed to needy children through the charity’s Priceless Gift Toy Store.

13-15 Baker library and HUS team—Some of the students who helped transform a plain room into an inspiring “under the sea” library at da Vinci Primary School are, front row, Shelby Stierley, Rives Junction; Jessica Smith, Jackson; and Mariah Monroe, Leslie; and, back row, Marissa O’Brian, Eaton Rapids; Nakiya Gray, Leslie; Rachel Smith, Grass Lake; and Ashlee Evans, Jackson.