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Feinstein Center for Service Learning

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"Giving of oneself to better the lives of others - regardless of race, creed, or religion -

is the greatest of all achievements."
- Alan Shawn Feinstein

Welcome to the Feinstein Center for Service Learning and Clearinghouse for Volunteers on the URI Kingston campus! Please utilize the links above to navigate through our various programs and services.

URI Helping Haiti

Helping others after an oversees natural disaster can feel overwhelming and sometimes difficult. It is important to remember that all help is needed and that assistance to recovery that is long-term and sustainable is often most challenging to provide.

Wondering how you can help? Check out the list below of various types of ways that you can help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Also remember to visit uri.edu/helpinghaiti for an updated list of events supporting Haiti relief. These events are being organized by URI students, staff and administrators and will bring community members together to raise support and funds for Haiti.

Indirect Service

First - visit uri.edu/helpinghaiti to see a list of URI sponsored events that you can attend!

The fastest and easiest way to help right now is by donating to an organization that is dedicated to the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. You can search for an organization that specifically serves an issue that you are concerned with, like health and medical services, hunger and housing or education. You can also donate to the URI Helping Haiti (visit uri.edu/helpinghaiti to donate online).

When making a financial donation be sure that the organization that you are supporting is reputable. It does not take too much time to research an organization to learn more about how your donation will help. For example, it is helpful to know how much of your donation is going to support overhead costs of the organization and how much is getting directly to those in need.

In addition to being able to donate to the organizations below, each site also provides extensive updates on current relief efforts. Click on the organization below to be redirected to their sites:

American Red Cross

Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

Doctor's Without Borders

Habitat for Humanity

Plan International

Oxfam

World Health Organization

UNICEF

Direct Service

The rebuilding effort in Haiti will certainly be a long one. Although financial donations are of greatest need right now, direct service volunteer opportunities will arise once the immediate crisis has subsided. We will update this site with information about service abroad.

According to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, "USAID, which is leading the U.S. response to the Haiti disaster, is asking that all those offering assistance other than donation (volunteers, goods, services) to submit their offers to the Center for International Disaster Information."

Advocacy

Use this opportunity to not only support efforts oversees but to also EDUCATE yourself and your peers about the history of Haiti. Take the time to visit the websites above to learn about the efforts currently taking place and scope and context of the issues at hand.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities and Awareness Events:

Shadow Day 2010 -

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010, 9:30-3:00, URI Memorial Union Atrium 2

Want to spark a child's interest in a college education? Are you willing to have a child observe a couple of your classes? Want to engage in a fun, interactive, educational scavenger hunt with children around campus? If you answered YES to any of these questions WE NEED YOU to be a Shadow Day Volunteer!

On Wednesday, February 17th from 9:30am-3:00pm volunteers are needed to assist with Shadow Day. There are morning, afternoon and/or all day shifts available. We NEVER have enough volunteers so even if you only have 1 class that morning or 1 hour free we would love your participation!

Please pre-register in person at the Clearinghouse for Volunteers, Roosevelt Room 125 or call 401-874-2568 or email cfv@etal.uri.edu.

URI SAVES - 1st Annual URI Bingo Night

Tuesday, March 2nd, 7:30-9:30, URI Memorial Union Ballroom

$3 per Bingo Card, $1 per raffle ticket (EVERYONE who attends receives a raffle ticket)

There will be multiple rounds - so multiple chances of winning prizes!

ALL proceeds benefit the URI SAVES Alternative Spring Break trip to Richmond, Virginia where 12 URI students will be working on service projects related to poverty, homelessness and housing.

URI SAVES is a newly formed student organization that is dedicated to providing URI students with service opportunities in and around Rhode Island communities. All students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the projects that relate to a broad spectrum of issue areas. This organization is completely student run and facilitated and currently has a wide base of regular active volunteers. They participate in an average of 2-3 direct service projects every month. To learn more about URI SAVES or to join, email uri.saves@gmail.com.

Don't Stop There!

For more volunteer opportunities, including one-time and ongoing placements, leadership opportunities and/or to join our volunteer listserv stop by the Clearinghouse for Volunteers, Roosevelt 125. You can also call 401-874-2568 or email us!

AmeriCorps - Still Accepting Applications:
Scholarships for Service - URI students can participate in this part-time AmeriCorps program by completing 300 hours of service in a community and issue area of their choice in exchange for a $1,000 Education Award. Interested? Visit Sarah Miller in Roosevelt Hall room 127.

Jumpstart - Jumpstart recruits, trains, and supports college students to serve as part-time AmeriCorps members, working directly with and supporting young children in early childhood education programs. Corps Members complete 300 hours of service over a full academic year (September – May) and receive $1000 upon completion. Corps Members also receive 6 graded CSV 302 credits and work study (if eligible). Email jstart@etal.uri.edu for more information or visit the Jumpstart page to the left.

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Feinstein Center for Service Learning
90 Lower College Road, Suite 12
Kingston, Rhode Island 02881

Sarah Miller, Coordinator
Roosevelt Room 127
401-874-7422
Email: sgmiller@mail.uri.edu

Clearinghouse for Volunteers
Roosevelt Room 125
AmeriCorps*VISTA
Marcy LaBossiere
401-874-2568
Email: cfv@etal.uri.edu or urivolunteers@gmail.com

Jumpstart URI
Roosevelt Rooms 133 &135

Senior Site Manager
Lynne Finnegan
401-874-2090
jstart@etal.uri.edu

Senior Site Manager
Catherine Cutlip
401-874-5539
jstartpv@etal.uri.edu