By Phoebe Axtman
Contributing Writer

Simmons students are continuing to contribute to a growing culture of community service.

In past academic years, more than a third of Simmons College students have participated in community service, according to the Scott/ Ross Center.

The Scott /Ross Center has been coordinating community service programs with Simmons students for more than 10 years. It provides students with the opportunity to apply to more than 60 Boston service programs from a wide range of concentrations.

Last year, more than 430 students participated in service­learning at Simmons. Service­learning is the Scott/ Ross Center’s specialty. The average hours of service completed through service­learning is 25 hours. As a part of a course curriculum, community service is related back to what is learned in class.

According to a brochure, Simmons has offered almost 40 undergraduate courses and 22 graduate courses that require service-­learning as a part of the curriculum. These courses range from “Schools in the Era of Change” to “Principles of Finance.”

Candace Frazier, a senior economic major with a social justice minor, participated in service­learning during her class “Working for Social Justice.” The course covered the ethical issues of social justice and activism.
Frazier chose to work with Bikes Not Bombs. She volunteered for about eight hours a week with their Earn a Bike program, serving as a mentor to children from Boston. The children learn bike mechanics and safety with their mentor. Then together they take a bike ride.

“This was a fun way for kids to do something empowering after school,” said Frazier. In her course, she was responsible for writing reflections. In class, the students related their community service to readings on social, economic and political issues.

Through service­-learning, Frazier learned how to recognize social differences. She also received a hands ­on experience with social justice.

Students may also participate in student-­led programs, such as America Reads, Steps to Success, and Strong Women, Strong Girls.

“I love working with the girls and being there to support them and help them excel. Even making the smallest positive difference in their lives is reason for me to keep doing community service,” said Kristiana Lyons, a senior economics major.

Lyons has participated in Strong Women, Strong Girls for all four years she has been at Simmons. She volunteers as a mentor and a field trip coordinator on their executive board. She may be tired after classes and volunteering for an hour and a half every day, but it is worth it because she feels she is doing something good with her time.

When asked the most pivotal moment in her service, Lyons said it was right after the first field trip she planned.
She saw the young girls having fun with their mentors. She saw the impact the mentors were making on the girls. That is what made her want to continue serving with Strong Women, Strong Girls.

“It’s fun. It’s so nice the girls warm up to you and you are making a difference in their lives,” said Lyons.
Caleen Trevenen, a graduate student in neuroscience, volunteered with Horizons for Homeless Children. She volunteered watching kids whose mothers are in a battered women’s shelter. The mothers are not able to leave the shelter for safety reasons. The support of the volunteers gives the mothers the opportunity to take a break and relax.

Trevenen enjoys working with children and she thinks it is important to help those who are most in need. Many of the children in the shelter have been through traumatic experiences. Volunteering makes her feel like she is making a difference.

“Simmons basically holds the opportunity right in front of you,” she said. She believes college is the best time to volunteer because when you graduate, there may not be the free time to spare.

A study from the Corporation for National Community Service showed Simmons is not alone and found that the number of college students who participate in community service is on the rise. Simmons has been a leader in community service at the collegiate level. The college received the President’s National Community Service Honor for the fifth consecutive year in 2013. This is given to colleges who demonstrate meaningful community service. Simmons is the only college in Massachusetts to receive this award.