Thompson, Charter Scholars give back during inaugural service day
BY CASS WAINWRIGHT
More than 100 Thompson and Charter Scholars participated in the inaugural Thompson and Charter Scholars In Action Day of Service on March 28, volunteering their time at one of 13 nonprofit locations in Kent and Ottawa counties.
Hannah Herschell and others in her small group were bused to ICCF Community Homes, which provides affordable housing for families.
Nursing student Lyliana Sanson-Espinoza, right, and social work major Laveah Similton clean at the Salvation Army in Grand Haven as part of the service day. (Photo by Cory Morse)
Nursing student Lyliana Sanson-Espinoza, right, and social work major Laveah Similton clean at the Salvation Army in Grand Haven as part of the service day. (Photo by Cory Morse)
“While I do need community service for this scholarship, I am a social work major, and I really enjoy volunteering,” Herschell said. “I haven't had much time or the opportunity to volunteer during the school year and this gave me that chance.”
Bob and Ellen Thompson have created the largest scholarship program at Grand Valley; nearly one in 15 undergraduate students is a recipient of a Thompson scholarship. The Thompsons also encourage community service and stipulate that scholarship recipients must complete at least 20 hours of service per school year.
Many Thompson Scholars attended the charter public schools that the Thompsons founded in Detroit.
Scholars in Action Day
Before splitting into groups to be bused to locations, students met in the Haas Center for Performing Arts to hear a presentation by former Thompson scholar Samuel Jacobs and to watch a video address (see below) from Bob Thompson.
Samantha Mayse, senior director of Thompson Programs, said, “We've modeled Scholars in Action Day after Make a Difference Day, considering we have multiple locations and provide transportation for students to go out and volunteer.”
Mayse said that students chose volunteer sites based on their personal experiences or their goals for after graduation. The site partners had different tasks for the students, ranging from light landscaping to deep cleaning, painting to organizing and sorting items.
“I ideally want to go into social work and work with kids and families who are in economic distress,” Herschell said. “So I figured the ICCF Community Homes site would be a good place to get some experience.”
Scholars in Action Day
Before splitting into groups to be bused to locations, students met in the Haas Center for Performing Arts to hear a presentation by former Thompson scholar Samuel Jacobs and to watch a video address (see below) from Bob Thompson.
Samantha Mayse, senior director of Thompson Programs, said, “We've modeled Scholars in Action Day after Make a Difference Day, considering we have multiple locations and provide transportation for students to go out and volunteer.”
Ariss Kroeger rakes leaves outside of the ICCF Community Homes during the Scholars in Action Day. (Photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills)
Ariss Kroeger rakes leaves outside of the ICCF Community Homes during the Scholars in Action Day. (Photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills)
Mayse said that students chose volunteer sites based on their personal experiences or their goals for after graduation. The site partners had different tasks for the students, ranging from light landscaping to deep cleaning, painting to organizing and sorting items.
“I ideally want to go into social work and work with kids and families who are in economic distress,” Herschell said. “So I figured the ICCF Community Homes site would be a good place to get some experience.”
'A wonderful experience'
Melanie Manion, volunteer coordinator for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, expressed her gratitude for the student volunteers. “They immediately went to work and got done what I wanted to get done in two hours, in just one hour," Manion said. "The volunteers were very dedicated. And they've been very kind to me. It was a wonderful experience.”
Alaina Soulliere, a student site leader at the park location, said she values the program Bob and Ellen Thompson and the Thompson Foundation have established.
“I know so many students like me require some of that financial help to either get through college with less debt or with no debt,” Soulliere said. “It's very helpful to be seen and recognized with the Thompson Working Families Scholarship. I also appreciate that they recommend that we get out and volunteer as well, so that we can understand why they do what they do to support us.”
'A wonderful experience'
Melanie Manion, volunteer coordinator for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, expressed her gratitude for the student volunteers. “They immediately went to work and got done what I wanted to get done in two hours, in just one hour," Manion said. "The volunteers were very dedicated. And they've been very kind to me. It was a wonderful experience.”
Alaina Soulliere, a student site leader at the park location, said she values the program Bob and Ellen Thompson and the Thompson Foundation have established.
Kylee Lodes picks up trash outside of the ICCF Community Homes. (Photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills)
Kylee Lodes picks up trash outside of the ICCF Community Homes. (Photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills)
“I know so many students like me require some of that financial help to either get through college with less debt or with no debt,” Soulliere said. “It's very helpful to be seen and recognized with the Thompson Working Families Scholarship. I also appreciate that they recommend that we get out and volunteer as well, so that we can understand why they do what they do to support us.”
– Cass Wainwright is a senior majoring in writing and a student writer for University Communications.
