Written by Alaina Perez
Connecting campus to community is what we’re all about here at Ginsberg, and September’s So Cool, So Just resource fair did just that, providing a space for 11 student organizations, 8 community partners, and 5 academic partners to highlight their work and recruit volunteers all at once. Attendees had the opportunity to meet and speak with representatives from various organizations, all united in their shared desire to drive social change in our community.
The Detroit Partnership, an organization that connects students with community projects across the city, from education and social programs to neighborhood development, was represented by U-M student, Bhargav Gunuguntla. He commented, “There’s a lot of students here at Michigan that want to be volunteers, and there’s a lot of orgs in Detroit that need volunteers, and we’re just that bridge in between.”
Another student who works with Ginsberg’s community partner, Refugee Garden Initiatives, described their mission as “empowering refugees through food, resources, and storytelling. We have a garden and we grow food for refugees and other communities as well, and we sell at the farmer’s market. We also have various events, ESL, financial literacy, and other programs too.” Students who volunteer with the Refugee Garden Initiatives learn about food security, trauma-informed care, and educational initiatives to amplify the voices of the refugees they work with.
Whether you were a student seeking volunteer opportunities, a student organization, or a community partner looking to recruit support, the So Cool, So Just fair offered opportunities for constructive conversations and education, all while having fun and making new connections.
We’d like to thank the following community partners for participating in this year’s So Cool, So Just resource fair. You can find out how to volunteer with each organization at the links below:
Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County