Learning that Serves

On October 17, 2007, NSCC made volunteer history with Reach Out to Nova Scotia. Together, about 10,000 students, staff and faculty rolled up their sleeves to paint, rake, hammer, clean, sing, dance and read. It was a profound "thank you" to Nova Scotians for their support and it was a one-day demonstration of the service learning that happens year round at NSCC.

More than 300 not-for-profit and community organizations benefited from Reach Out to Nova Scotia. The projects focused on three main themes: healthy communities, building communities and green communities.

In Waycobah, volunteers from Strait Area Campus built a shed and landscaped a home for First Nations persons with disabilities. "There was a really positive feeling going on because we were helping out our neighbours and just doing some good work together," Principal Tom Gunn recalls.

Shelburne Campus refurbished the grounds of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society's complex in Birchtown. The society had to delay maintenance of exterior signage, gardens and a memorial trail after an arsonist burned their main building to the ground. "It was great to have 30 to 40 people helping us to get back on our feet," says Project Manager Jackie Race. "It was huge psychologically."

Mechanical Engineering Technology students from IT campus created an outdoor labyrinth for St. Matthew's Church in the heart of downtown Halifax. "To be able to provide the community with a space for contemplation is so important," says Reverend Betsy Hogan.

NSCC employees gained as much from the experience as any of the hundreds of organizations they helped. Michael Brooks works on the facilities team at Akerley Campus. He volunteered to do repair work at Margaret's House, a place where the hungry or homeless can come for a warm meal every day. "I work for NSCC and I wanted an opportunity to give back. That's why I volunteered," says Michael.

"At the outset, pulling off Reach Out to Nova Scotia seemed impossible," says NSCC President, Joan McArthur-Blair. "Now that I've seen with my own eyes that it can be done, my ultimate dream would be that every community college in Canada would simultaneously dedicate an entire day to service learning - that's one million students. Today, I believe it's more than possible."

Since 93% of employed NSCC graduates go on to live and work in the province, the College has a vested interest in helping our learners understand the value of community engagement. NSCC models the way by providing employees with service learning time so that they can volunteer for causes of their choice.

The Score:

One third of all NSCC grads volunteer an average of 6.4 hours per week for cultural, educational, sports and health organizations in their communities.