UWF in the Community

UWF students give in a big way

Providing highly-skilled and driven volunteers to communities throughout the region is just one of the ways the University of West Florida is working to make a positive difference for the people that call Northwest Florida home. Last year, UWF students volunteered 57,367 hours in local communities through Volunteer UWF!, the university's volunteer organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the community by providing opportunities for civic engagement and active learning experiences.

Providing highly-skilled and driven volunteers to communities throughout the region is just one of the ways the University of West Florida is working to make a positive difference for the people that call Northwest Florida home. Last year, UWF students volunteered 57,367 hours in local communities through Volunteer UWF!, the university’s volunteer organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the community by providing opportunities for civic engagement and active learning experiences.

“Volunteer UWF! works to develop win-win service experiences that not only benefit local agencies in need of help, but also students who want to connect with the community and gain hands-on experience in their fields of study,” said Tiffany Killam Jurey, assistant director of Volunteer UWF!

For many UWF students, Volunteer UWF! is an essential way to gain experience and feel part of the Northwest Florida community. Last semester alone, 706 students volunteered 27,689 service hours through more than 1,608 different volunteer projects. Whether a student is spending the day at a local Habitat for Humanity build, planning to travel for an Alternative Spring Break or participate in a work or independent field study, it is obvious the passion UWF students have toward community service.

“The opportunities offered by Volunteer UWF! give students lots of chances to enrich their lives and the lives of others,” said Christine Thomas, senior majoring in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Psychology. “I really like believing that I can change the world and serving the community gives me the opportunity to do so, even if it is on a small scale.”

One of many opportunities offered through Volunteer UWF!, the UWF Alternative Spring Break program is part of “Break Away: The Alternative Break Connection,” a non-profit organization that seeks to train, assist and connect campuses and communities in promoting quality alternative break programs that inspire lifelong active citizenship. In addition to spring break, the group contributes to numerous causes throughout the year and is dedicated to serve communities and work on various issues.

“The people that we help are always in shock that college students would sacrifice their free time to provide community service,” said Brandi Wahl, former president of Alternative Spring Break. “Once students have this kind of experience, they feel like it is a part of who they are.”

Through Volunteer UWF! students, faculty and staff have dedicated their time to more than 20 local organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House, Manna Food Bank and Jury-Duty, a local animal welfare organization in Pensacola. Each organization is chosen by Volunteer UWF! and serves as community partner for volunteer projects throughout Northwest Florida.

“There’s always something for everyone to do if they’re motivated to volunteer,” said Ryan Graber, senior majoring in Elementary Education. “In the four years I’ve been volunteering with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, I’ve helped raise more than $80,000 to fight a disease that has personally impacted my family and friends. It’s important to find something close to you to volunteer for.”

For more information, contact Killam Jurey at (850) 474-3114, e-mail tiffanyjurey@uwf.edu or visit uwf.edu/volunteer.

Written by Megan Tyson, University Marketing Communications