Applications are now available for the 2009 Civic Engagement Awards Program!

The Civic Engagement Awards Committee is proud to announce that the awards process will now take place during the fall semester! In order to celebrate the service our community takes part in every year, we encourage everyone to submit at least one application for the service they were a part of. No project or program is too small and no individual not worthy of being recognized. The VU community contributes so much to our surrounding community and beyond that we want to hear what you are doing and be able to celebrate your accomplishments with you! Awards available for application are:

Man and Women Volunteer of the Year Nominations

Organization of the Year
(sample resume)

Project/Program of the Year

Service Learning Project of the Year

 Since the program is now taking place in the fall semester, programs, projects, and application materials must be focused on service that occurred from January 2009 - December 31st, 2009.

Applications are available by clicking the links above or by visiting the Student Organization Suite on the second floor of the Harre Union. Applications will be accepted at the Student Organization Suite front desk until December 4th, 2009 at 10:00pm. Please make sure all applications are turned in by that time. 

 The awards ceremony recognizing all of the efforts of our VU community will be held during MLK Celebration Weekend on MLK Service Day- January 16th, 2009. Be on the lookout for more information about the awards ceremony in a couple of weeks.

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Introducing a brand new volunteer opportunity from the Office of Volunteer Programs!!

ACE is a brand new volutneer experience at VU. The program is designed to have students- called ACE's- help connect their peers as well as faculty and staff members to volunteer agencies/experiences in the greater Valparaiso community. The group plans large scale volunteer opportunities as well- such as the VU Day of Caring, the MLK Service Day, and numerous others. The group can also assist student organization or professors in finding large group projects around the city.

There are ten ACE's total:

ACE Coordinator- this student is in charge of the ACE program and all of it's large scale events.
Youth Services- focused on childhood enrichment outside of the school
Social Justice- focused on social needs of the greater Valparaiso community
Elderly- focused on hospice care and retirement homes.
Educational- focused on school initiatives as well as tutoring programs.
Environmental- focused on conservation and education about our earth.
Medical- focused on hospital care, nursing majors, programs such as the Red Cross/American Cancer Society.
Religious- focused on working with local churches and faith based organizations.
VU Opportunities- focused on campus programs such as campus clean ups and the large scale programs.
International Connection- focused on international students finding volunteer opportunities for enrichment.

 If you are interested in becoming an ACE- please contact the ACE Coordinator for the 2009-2010 school year: Suzanne Kolasa. The ACE office is located in the Harre Union Student Organization Suite located on the second floor, room 234. She will be able to get you an application and get you started in the program.

If you are interested in volunteering and need help locating a volunteer opportunity- then please
email ACE_Coordinator@valpo.edu. Our ACE"s will be able to help you find a volunteer
opporutnity that fits with your interests and level of time commitment.