Why You Should Join Pacific College Corps
Pacific College Corps is an organization within the University of the Pacific (UOP) that exists as a partnership between California Volunteers and AmeriCorps, and UOP is fortunate enough to be one of only four private institutions to participate in the program. The other three private institutions include University of San Diego, Concordia of University Irvine, and Vanguard University. College Corps contributes to the community in the following focus areas that consist of K-12 Education, Climate Action, Food Insecurity, and Community Health (which is only available to second-year fellows). The task that is being offered to students is serving a community site with a minimum of 450 hours completed at the site throughout the academic year. Several specific community sites that Pacific College Corps has served include Stockton Scholars, The Alameda County Food Bank, The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Saint Vincent De Paul’s Free Dining Room, and The Salvation Army in Los Angeles & Modesto.
The goal of College Corps is to leave a positive impact to not only UOP, but to the community as a whole and the well-being of our fellows. Working with College Corps will be beneficial towards forming meaningful connections with the community you are serving, as well as the people that you will assist. It will also provide the opportunity to earn college credits and up to $10,000. The contributions of Corps fellows will improve the lives of those who need support. No matter how big or small the contribution may be, they are performing an act of selflessness that brings goodwill to individuals.
I am a current College Corps fellow, focusing on K-12 Education by working with Stockton Scholars. My College Corps experience has been very beneficial and hopeful. Working at Stockton Scholars allows me to practice my social and organizational skills and learn to work with deadlines. The path that will lead to my dream of becoming a teacher will continue when I get to assist students with their educational journey by giving them scholarship guidance.
Here’s what a few of our College Corp fellows have to say:
“I joined College Corps because of my interest in volunteering in the community. When I first joined College Corps, my passion was to become a teacher, and now I want to become a social worker in order to address issues such as adoption and immigration. I enjoy working with the students and I am excited to continue my service into next year.”
- Sarah Morgan
“I joined College Corps because I was looking for a job that would be flexible with my schedule but I also didn’t want to do something meaningless such as working in retail or fast food. When I found out about College Corps I thought it was the perfect opportunity to grow my network, impact my community, and earn a little more for my tuition.”
- Katelyn Leyva
“I joined College Corps in the hopes of becoming a better version of myself. Doing things you’re not entirely comfortable with is the best way to grow as a person, and I saw that opportunity in College Corps. It’s been a wonderful program that has given me the chance to learn more about myself, as well as my community and the people in it.”
- Raul Pinto Mendoza
You may be microscopic within the earth’s population, however, that does not mean you should not fulfill your role and play your part. By joining Pacific College Corps, you are given the chance to positively impact your community.