Civic Engagement
What is civic engagement? The APA (American Psychological Association) defines it as: “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.”
Additionally… “Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual voluntarism to organizational involvement to electoral participation.
It can include efforts to directly address an issue, work with others in a community to solve a problem or interact with the institutions of representative democracy.” (APA, 2016)
Hood College & Civic Engagement, it's our mission statement!
Mission Statement: “Through an integration of the liberal arts and the professions, Hood College provides an education that empowers students to use their hearts, minds and hands to meet personal, professional and global challenges and to lead purposeful lives of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement.”
Places to Volunteer:
American Red Cross
Advanced Biofuels USA
Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County
Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic
Community Living, Inc.
Daybreak Adult Day Services
Frederick Police Department
Frederick Rescue Mission
Girls on the Run Frederick County
Habitat for Humanity
Hood College Alternative Breaks
Interfaith Housing Alliance
Literacy Council of Frederick County, Inc.
Million Women Mentors
Mission of Mercy
Peace Corps
Second Street and Hope
The ARC of Frederick County
The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
4K for Cancer - Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
United Way
Wags for Hope
Monthly Service Opportunities:
Frederick Rescue Mission
Daybreak Adult Day Services
Community Dinners at Centennial United Methodist Church
Contact Bre Harwood, harwood@hood.edu for exact dates and to sign up!
Why should you participate in civic engagement?
A great résumé builder; makes your skills and accomplishments stand out
Narrow down your career path- confirm or refute what you may be thinking of pursuing
It encourages: time management skills, teamwork, professional job skills
Reduces stress, helps feel connection to the community, and proven to be healthier
Some Statistics:
In a survey conducted by United Way of Frederick County:
96 percent of people who volunteered in the last 12 months indicated that it enriched their sense of purpose in life.
78 percent reported that volunteering lowered their stress levels.
76 percent say that volunteering has made them feel healthier.