A-B Tech Service Learning Program Changing Lives

Program Ranks #1 in North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C., July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (N.C.) student Rebecca Croft, a Service-Learning project changed her entire education track. After volunteering at a domestic violence shelter, Croft realized she was meant for social work.

A-B Tech had the highest number of students participating in Service-Learning for the 2009-2010 academic year out of the 58 community colleges in North Carolina, with 155 classes incorporating the volunteer component into the curriculum.  More than 900 students performed more than 5,000 hours of service within 157 individual agencies and 63 area schools.

Service-Learning encourages students to undertake service projects, to reflect on what they learn, and to draw connections between what they learn in the community and what they learn in the classroom.

As a domestic violence survivor, Croft wanted to get connected but thought she never had the time. "The idea of volunteering 10 hours was overwhelming. It turned out I really did have time to do that. You don't think you have time until you have a purpose."

Once she started her training, she realized helping survivors of domestic violence was what she wanted to do. Croft gave up her seat in the Emergency Medical Science program and enrolled in a transfer program to prepare for a bachelor's degree in social work.

"What a great way to spend your last two days of class, sharing your experiences. It was so moving to see all these students gain this experience and the agencies to get some fresh faces. Some of their stories brought me to tears," Croft said.  

The College's graduating nursing students alone performed 744 hours of community service, according to Lloyd Weinberg, Service-Learning Coordinator. "The students made valuable connections with what they were learning in class and many added the experience of career exploration and networking," he said.

Student Chad Gardner distributed food at a shelter and noticed not all the recipients fit his preconceptions. "It got me thinking about how many people had jobs and were still hungry. I thought it was just the people on the street," he said.

Gardner was inspired to make sandwiches and give them to people he saw downtown looking for food. "I got to hear their stories and learn so much about them. It only cost me $5 to feed 25 people," he said.

SOURCE Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED