At the start of each academic year, the entire freshman class volunteers at locations across Atlanta for the Orientation Day of Service.

More than 300 students, including transfer students, members of Alpha Phi Omega and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as well as Achieve Atlanta Scholars, volunteered at one of 17 local nonprofit organizations, contributing work valued over $25,000 on the day.

“We used our time and talents to impact communities in ways that cannot be quantified,” said Jessica Winestock, associate director of A_LAB, Civic Engagement. “We befriended young children as we handed out food, we laughed with seniors over a game of bingo, and we learned lessons in mechanics as we helped to build wheelchairs.”

Experiences such as the Orientation Day of Service are not just “feel good” events. Service Learning curricula melds the classroom experience with the rigors of service, instilling sought after qualities such as teamwork, leadership, empathy, and enthusiasm, as well as concrete foundations for creative and intellectual advancement.

Nonprofits visited included:

• Trees Atlanta
• International Rescue Committee
• The Drake House
• The Wylde Center, Oakhurst Garden
• The Wylde Center, Hawk Hollow Garden
• Frazer Center
• Making A Way Housing, Inc.
• Hosea Feed the Hungry
• AG Rhodes Health and Rehabilitation Center
• Friends of Disabled Adults and Children
• Books for Africa
• Atlanta Community Food Bank
• MedShare International
• The Latin American Association
• Charles R. Drew Charter School
• UHOPE CDC
• Latin American Association