Help out during the region’s COVID-19 response

As GVSU Lakers we understand that even as we manage the impacts on our university, we must also look beyond to serve our community and society as we are able. Please check out the following centralized resources for opportunities to volunteer – even remotely – or to donate to support in the COVID-19 response and continue to check the Community Engagement site for updates and opportunities.

• Care Ottawa County
• Heart of West Michigan United Way Volunteer Center
• Give blood if you are able at American Red Cross
• While currently set for volunteers, Kids Food Basket, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and The Dwelling Place, which provide food, childcare, and housing support to our most vulnerable communities and public health workers, have different immediate needs and which will certainly grow and change
• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Local First are offering resources on how to support local businesses
• President Mantella's Networks of Support
• Support PCEC’s medical mask project if you have sewing skills or would like to donate funds. This can be done from home. 

Volunteer opportunities for students can be found on the Community Service Learning Center website.

Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS launched a new volunteer website, www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19, where trained medical professionals can register to serve their fellow Michiganders by assisting hospitals in fighting COVID-19. Other state residents also can use the site to find out how they can help in their local communities, give blood, donate money or needed medical supplies, or assist public health officials in tracking infections.

More faculty should share their research expertise to help address public issues (Inside Higher Education – Opinion, 3/20).

2020 Census

The U.S. Census occurs every ten years and your participation matters! The 2020 Census will directly impact political representation for the next decade, federal funding and will inform other decisions guided by census data. Here are a few important things to know:

• ALL people (without regard to citizenship status) need to submit the Census.
• On and off-campus students should complete the Census online using your college address. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “When responding to the 2020 Census, college students should be counted where they live and sleep most of the time as of April 1, 2020. For most students, that means in their college town, not back home with their parents. Parents or guardians should only include children in college who live with them full time during the school year. They should not list college students studying or living abroad on April 1st".
• In light of COVID-19, if you have gone back to your hometown (and are not living at or near GVSU), you should still count yourself for here, even if you won’t be here on April 1^st.

For more information and guidance go to GVSU Counts.

Now More Than Ever: Higher Education’s Civic Responsibility