Jayleen De La Cruz
Staff Writer
The Office of Civic and Community Engagement sponsored the 12th annual FLEX and New Students Community Engagement Day on Saturday.
The event for freshman and new transfer students is designed to give new students a sense of community as they work together via various service projects in local cities.
“This is a great opportunity for the students to build … trust and connections among their peers,” said Julissa Espinoza, director of the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, said.
As students arrived Saturday morning, they were given t-shirts and snacks. Then they were divided into seven groups, each of which worked with the following community partners: Shepard’s Pantry, Rise Against Hunger, Huerta, Lopez Urban Farm, Pilgrim Place, David and Margaret Youth and Family Services, as well as the Peace and Carrots community garden.
The organizations work with the homeless, offer food pantries, urban farms and more.
President Pardis Mahdavi and University Chaplain Zandra Wagoner were on hand to greet the students and thank them for their service before sending them off with their groups to their various service projects, where they worked for two hours.
Candice Arias, a freshman computer science major, who participated in the event said she enjoyed being able to help out.
Once students finished, they returned to campus for lunch.
“I would recommend this event to new students because it helps them to get to know new people and learn more about the community outside the University,” Isabella Alonso, a freshman psychology major, said.
“This is a great way for students to bond but also to be able to fulfill our mission to connect with the community,” Mahdavi said. “Giving back to the community is something that makes us distinct at the university.”
Jayleen De La Cruz can be reached at jayleen.delacruz@laverne.edu.
Jayleen De La Cruz is a sophomore communication major with a concentration in public relations and a staff writer at the Campus Times for Fall 2023.
