By Rachel Boulton

The Volunteer Fair is an annual event where Northeastern students can get an idea of what kind of community activities are available to them. At the fair, students were able to choose from over 40 organizations where they could volunteer, find a work study job or even schedule interviews for a possible co-op job.

This event has a growing interest year by year.

“We do see an influx of students wanting to get involved,” said Kristen Simonelli, assistant director for community service. Though this is true, there is still a substantial need for students to get involved in the activities.

There is a broad range of organizations that open up the opportunity for students to get involved. The fair included representatives from a myriad of organizations ranging from Little Brothers, a service that works with the elderly to a multitude of youth programs that include tutoring school aged children and integrating them into a more diverse community activities.

“We are trying to create more programs to provide students with more resources relating to their interest,” said Simonelli.

Along with creating more outlets for community service, the fair was aimed at bringing in a larger number of students this year. Their goal was to encourage students to choose an organization that would coincide with what they are working to major in, though anyone is welcomed to participate in the activities.

Lindsey Boucher, a sophomore nursing major became involved in S.H.A.R.E. last year. The S.H.A.R.E program stands for Students Helping Adults with Reading and English.

“I found out about it and loved it. We teach people who work in the dining halls English. So this organization gives me many connections into the community.”

This program does not require students to speak another language and it provides a way to get to know people working in or close to Northeastern that students would not necessarily spend time with.

The Volunteer Fair was also an opportunity to ask questions about possible co-op positions. Mara Zalkin, a middler human resources major, works for the Dorchester House, an organization that tutors children and works to engage them in new activities.

“This is a great place to work. There is a good range of ages to work with,” Zalkin said.

Getting involved in community service can also provide a good way to make connections for those who are soon to graduate.

“I’m here to get information about the Peace Corp for after I graduate,” said Susan Mortland, a senior nursing major.

The Peace Corp is a more intense and lengthy commitment, which requires students to participate for 27 months.

The Volunteer Fair provided an opportunity for students to see the wide variety of organizations they can get involved in to give back to the community. Whether students were interested in giving up one day out of the month or to fully immersing themselves in either a co-op job or a position after they graduate, there was something for everyone.

For more information contact Kristen Simonelli at [email protected] or visit the Web site communityservice.neu.edu.