Summer Volunteer Opportunity Grant (SVOG)

General Information
Explanation of Award
Past Recipients
Eligibility

Featuring the Summer of 2009 SVOG recipients!
Check out these amazing students who will be participating in service projects in a variety of communities this summer!!

	J.B. Sivanich ‘10 will work with the Pragati Educational Foundation in Bangalore, India teaching English to academically talented children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He will tehgthgfach his own English class for two hours everyday as a part of an after-school program. J.B. will act as both a mentor and a teacher to these students, helping them to prepare for entering college.
	Rebecca Bohl ‘10 will work as an intern for the Guatemala Human Rights Commission in Washington D.C. Rebecca will help to provide support for Guatemalan families who are forced to leave their homes due to violence and economic disparity. She will help translate and edit biweekly publications, organize events such as fundraisers and delegations to Guatemala, assist staff with affidavits for political asylum cases, and learn how a non-profit organization functions. Rebecca will also be in contact with U.S. government representatives to advocate against the abuse of human rights in Guatemala.
	Sylvie Armstrong ‘10 will work as a Dog Adoption Coordinator for Saving Paws Animal Rescue just outside of Appleton, WI. Sylvie will help rescue dogs which need to find new homes. She will assess the dogs to understand the kind of care they need or any special needs they have. She will facilitate in the adoption process, particularly for the “unadoptable” dogs, which involves reviewing applications and meeting with the potential adopters to make sure it is a good match. Sylvie will also live in an off-campus apartment where she will foster dogs with special needs or who there is no space for in the shelter.
	Zachary Becker '10 will work in New Delhi, India with the Ramchander Nath Foundation (RNF). He will work with the prisoner art project "Expressions at Tihar" and will help empower prisoners, specifically juvenile offenders, through opportunities in the arts. Zachary will assist the curator of the upcoming Expressions exhibition to be held at the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts. Many of his tasks will involve working directly with the inmates as well as with leading contemporary Indian artists who comprise this exhibition. His work will also include visits to Delhi's Tihar Prison, the largest prison complex in Asia.

GENERAL INFORMATION

History
In 1991, the Helen Bader foundation established the Helen Daniels Bader Fund for Student Charitable Work to encourage students to undertake meaningful volunteer service. From 1991 to 1995, this grant supported Lawrence students in their summer service initiatives. The Summer Volunteer Opportunity Grant (SVOG) is currently funded by the Lawrence University Volunteer and Community Service Center (VCSC).

Purpose
The Summer Volunteer Opportunity Grant is designed to provide financial assistance for Lawrence students participating in service projects as learning experiences during the summer months. SVOG funding is available to assist with the practical expenses for summer service projects. Because the VCSC recognizes the financial demands of a Lawrence University education, part of the funding is also intended to offset the opportunity cost of a summer spent engaged in volunteer and service work.

Although the grant itself helps to remove financial barriers to summer service, the SVOG program also seeks to enhance and develop the individual student learning imperative as well as the Lawrence community's broader understanding of service. To that end, recipients are encouraged to link service work and academic inquiry and expected to engage themselves and the campus community in a consideration of social, legal, political, and other issues pertinent to their service project.

ELIGIBILITY
Students who will have successfully completed at least two terms of academic work at Lawrence University before the start of their proposed project are eligible to apply for SVOG funding. Only students returning to Lawrence for the following fall term may apply; graduating seniors are not eligible.

EXPLANATION OF AWARD
In accordance with the dual purpose of the SVOG funding, part of the grant is paid to the student during Term III to allow for the practical expenses of the project, and the other portion is withheld until the student returns to campus and satisfies the other requirements of the program which include an essay on his/her volunteer experience and an on-campus presentation of his/her work.

The first portion will be paid only after the VCSC receives official confirmation of the student's acceptance from the project coordinator/supervisor or the sponsoring organization.

The second portion of the grant will be paid during the next fall term, after the applicant has completed the following requirements:

Compose a reflective paper addressing how your service experience related to issues (social, political, economic, legal, etc). Topics you may wish to consider include: the needs your service addressed, the political/social/other backdrop from which these needs arise, the successes and failures of your service endeavor and the challenges and struggles inherent in your work. Papers should be approximately 5 pages and should be available electronically. The information you share may be included in an annual SVOG journal circulated in the Lawrence community
Share your experiences during a service event sponsored by the VCSC in the fall of 2008. You may present a lecture, give a demonstration, create a showcase display, or find some way to engage the Lawrence community in an understanding of your service work.
Provide confirmation from the project coordinator/supervisor or the sponsoring organization that you have completed the project/program.

PLEASE NOTE: Initial SVOG acceptance and allocation decisions are made by a committee composed of the VCSC Coordinator, one student affairs staff member, one faculty member, and two students. The VCSC Coordinator will be your contact throughout the process and will verify that you have fulfilled all requirements

PAST RECIPIENTS

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 |

2008

Kaileigh Arnold
World Food Program, ASIA	Sophomore Kaileigh Arnold worked with the Director of the World Food Program in Asia to better understand what running a Non-Profit Organization involves. She met with other country directors and government officials to discuss program details, work on the budget, and arrange details for food donations. Kaileigh also worked directly with the people in extremely poor communities. She organized and monitored “food for education” programs which gave children a free meal at school and acted as a volunteer passing out the food to the children in these areas.

Harjinder Bedi
Organic Farming, GHANA	Junior Harjinder Bedi worked on an organic farm in rural Ghana by engaging in planting, crop cultivation, plant and animal upkeep, and grounds upkeep for the farm. As a volunteer, he gained knowledge about sustainable farming and living while participating in an invaluable cultural exchange with the people of Ghana. Harjinder also volunteered in the schools for educational purposes and for other projects that work together with the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). After his stay at the farm, Harjinder studied traditional drumming and the dances of Ghana in his teacher’s home village.

Megan Bjella
Lawrence University Sustainable Garden APPLETON, WI	Junior Megan Bjella worked on the Lawrence University Sustainable Garden this summer. She worked with the Community Gardens Partnership of the Fox Valley to develop a plan for the Lawrence garden as one of a series of teaching gardens in the community. Megan also developed a garden curriculum for local grade schools and hosted local community group visits to the garden. Throughout the summer, local businesses, organizations and schools were invited to visit and participate in the Lawrence garden.

Jamie Gajewski
Su espacio COSTA RICA	Junior Jamie Gajewski volunteered at a community center called Su Espacio in Costa Rica. At the center, she taught weekly dance classes to Costa Rican children between the ages of 4 and 13. Jamie also taught English classes to children and adults. In these classes, she used bilingual strategies and interactive activities to help her students learn a language that allows them access to better jobs in the future.

Tungtaeya Abdel-Majeed
Accord Language School PARIS, FRANCE	Taeya used her exceptional dance skills to teach high school children about French race relations through various literary and musical movements, specifically those found in La Negritude and the Harlem Renaissance.

Tungtaeya Abdel-Majeed
Accord Language School PARIS, FRANCE	Taeya used her exceptional dance skills to teach high school children about French race relations through various literary and musical movements, specifically those found in La Negritude and the Harlem Renaissance.

Nicole Fisher
Arkansas Foodbank Network LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS	Nicole spent 10 days volunteering at the Arkansas Foodbank Network. While there, she spent eight hours each day sorting and stocking food, serving food at meal times, and doing some light clerical work.

Heath Gordon
Habitat for Humanity BRAJA, PORTUGAL	As a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Heath spent 10 days volunteering in Braja, Portugal on a Global Village build.

Kelsey Lutz
Archeological Fieldwork and Public Outreach PACCASAMAYO, PERU	Kelsey spent two months in Peru as part of an archeological team led by a Lawrence alum. While there she excavated domestic buildings from the 13th century. She also worked to educate the community about the research the team was doing.

Danielle Simandl
Chamber Ensemble Coaching MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN	During the summer Danielle coached chamber ensembles for six weeks because the local music camp was closed for the summer months.

Chelsea Wagner
Free Arts for Abused Children MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA	As Program Coordinator, Chelsea spent the summer planning sessions for the YES to Art program and organizing a large scale event called Free Arts Day for over 100 children. Additionally she engaged in administrative duties for the organization as well.

Megan Allen
Cristo Rey Community Center LANSING, MICHIGAN	As a Youth Service Coordinator, Megan served meals, planned and led games and activities, and supervised sixty children in the summer break program, serving low-income children in a predominantly Hispanic area including recently immigrated families. Megan was able to use her Spanish and English language skills in doing so.

Kenneth Alvord
Cap Hatian HAITI	Kenneth worked as a youth activities coordinator with Hearts for Haiti, an organization that focuses much of its efforts on youth services. He planned activities, tutored, and helped to construct a medical facility in the area. He also conducted interviews and research related to civil unrest and political instability in the area.

Freya D'Almeida
Center for Communication and Training COLOMBO, SRI LANKA	Freya interviewed children of the tsunami-affected areas of the country in an effort to determine what still must be done to bring relief and aid to the victims. Freya also worked with another student to create a film documentary and still photographic record regarding the tsunami and its impact upon the people of Sri Lanka.

Nora Hertel
WORT-FM Radio Station MADISON, WISCONSIN	Working with non-commercial, listener-supported radio station WORT-FM, Nora served as assistant music librarian organizing the station’s collection. In addition, she worked with the station’s volunteer coordinator to prepare for and staff outreach events at festivals and events throughout the summer.

Gayatri Naidu Cross Cultural Solutions LIMA, PERU	Gayatri worked as a volunteer with Cross Cultural Solutions, an organization that works to alleviate some of the stress caused by political and economic strife by improving the quality of life for the poor rural class in Peru. She assisted with local daycare centers to facilitate athletic and educational activities for children living in impoverished areas so their parents could work.

Jessia Patenaude
The Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Jessica spent her summer volunteering at the Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley, a facility for homeless families and individuals. She served as a receptionist, secured the shelter, assisted residents and guests, provided childcare, and assisted residents with finding employment and housing. She also sewed clothing and household items for residents to have as they moved toward finding employment and permanent housing.

Katherine Stanton
Senater Russ Feingold's office WASHINGTON, D.C.	Katharine spent her summer as an intern in the office U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, responding to constituents, answering phones and mail, performing data entry, attending legislative hearings, and doing research.

Tatiana Plaxina
Library Serials Database Development for the Appleton Public Library APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Tatiana developed a database for the Appleton Public Library to enable cataloging and searching for serials and periodicals within the Library.

Katherine Hoyme
Youth With A Mission CHENNAI, INDIA	Katherine worked with children living with poverty in inner-city settings, and focused on AIDS education and prevention, combating poverty and enriching childhood.

Ann Miller
The Tampa Urban Project: Finding God in the City TAMPA, FLORIDA	Ann provided computer instruction and access, facilitated an urban day-camp and support in an inner-city setting and studied racism, poverty, and other issues from a theological perspective.

Andrea Wright
Stree Mikti Sanghatana, Parisar Vikas project MUMBAI, INDIA	Andrea provided entrepreneurial support, education and encouragement to ragpicker women in India; provided daycare, identity cards, and support around environmental and social issues and personal safety.

Molly Bartholomew
National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders (ANAD) HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS	Molly created educational programming for both sufferers and the general public, provided assistance to health care professionals, and assisted with research studies.

Kora Buettner
ProMujer Foundation for Sustainable Development BOLIVIA	Kora worked on women’s development through leadership, education, literacy, sexual education, health, micro-enterprise development, human rights, and women’s rights.

Jennifer Dieter
Illinois PIRG CHICAGO, ILLINOIS	Jennifer worked on grant writing and development to promote and fund the Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group).

Natalie Hall
Music Camp Volunteer Holy Trinity School PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	This summer, Natalie staffed a day camp in Port-au-Prince and month-long overnight camp in Leogane, Haiti. She taught lessons, lead sectionals, coached ensembles, and played with children and adults.

Danata Janofsky
Fisheries Biology Intern Research Program, Moie Marine Biology Laboratory SARASOTA, FLORIDA	During her volunteer program, Danata helped with computer data entry, shipboard fish tagging, care and maintenance of captive red snappers, fish hyper baric chamber experiments, and fish necropsies.

Sarah Krile
New American Collaborative Amherst H. Wilder Foundation ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA	Sarah i nterviewed members and non-members of the collaborative, implemented a new mentoring program as part of Leadership Development Task Force, and supported four task forces providing services to new Americans.

Yasmine Rainford
Peace Project in Jamaica JAMAICA (urban and rural)	Yasmine c reated and implemented a summer program for inner-city youth to encourage moral development and conflict resolution skills. The program, which was patterned after a summer camp, operates in the city for two weeks at a time, focusign on rural and cultural immersion. Other Lawrentians participated as facilitators.

Jenny West
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Jenny participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Stephen Venugopal
Gunderson Baby Home ANTIPOLO, PHILIPPINES	Stephen worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in the home and helped with maintenance and other manual labor necessary to keep up the home.

Christopher Anderson
Bringing Russia and Outagamie Closer Together American Red Cross APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Christopher worked through Red Cross and with Appleton’s sister city with Kurgan in Russia to foster helping relationship in developing emergency preparedness and services in Kurgan.

Sandra Blick
Mote Marine Laboratory Internship Marine Mammal Program SARASOTA, FLORIDA	Sandra completed marine photography, data management, equipment maintenance, and aerial and land surveys.

Sandra Gresl
The Colombia Project US Committee for Refugees WASHINGTON, D.C.	Sandra served as an Internship Coordinator and facilitated research on refugee situations, provided advocacy support to refugees, and raised public awareness through educational programming.

Sarah Phelps
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Sarah participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Gustavo Setrini
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Gustavo participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Douglas Wilber
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Douglas participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Eric Boehmer
Medical Mission to Northeastern Brazil CAMARAGIBE, BRAZIL	Eric served as an assistant in a medical clinic providing medical care and health education to adults and children in rural areas.

Tom Clowes
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Tom participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Bilguissa Diallo
Education in Rural Areas LABE, GUINEA	Bilguissa worked on a project to foster educational growth and promote increased attention to educational opportunities for both boys and girls in rural West Africa.

Beth Halpern
Habitat for Humanity AMERICUS, GEORGIA	Worked with Habitat international headquarters, building all summer and preparing for President Jimmy Carter's national build in September.

Jason Hansen
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Jason participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Michael O'Brien
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Michael participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Abby Wakefield
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Jason participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Craig Hauschildt
British Brass Band Salvation Army, Appleton Corps Community Center APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Craig worked on a project to establish a British Brass Band for Appleton Salvation Army for youth in Fox Valley.

Kari Hikkila
Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center LONGMONT, COLORADO	Kari served in the office, at special events, in the lesson ring, and with horse care and selection. She focused on promoting physical, psychological, and social well-being of people with disabilities.

Teresa Kessenich
Manatee Research Project Mote Marine Laboratory SARASOTA, FLORIDA	Teresa researched to gain understanding about the conservation of the manatee population. She also promoted the adopt-a-manatee program, and collected and processed data.

Kara Neymeyer
Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center Youth Runaway Shelter MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN	Kara provided staffing, mentoring, counseling, and support to youth runaways, serving as an overnight staff member and on weekdays in the shelter.

Shazore Shah
Holy Trinity Summer Music Camp, PORT-AU-PRINCE and LEOGANE, HAITI	With support of Professor Janet Anthony, Shazore participated in a program which offers lessons and one-on-one mentoring to children in Haiti, provides camp counseling services, and fosters higher aspirations to disadvantaged children through music.

Natalia Smith
Mazahuas Project for the State of Mexico MEXICO (rural areas)	Natalia worked on a project dealing with poverty, development, agriculture, and indigenous populations in rural Mexico under the supervision of Asesoria y Desarrollo Rural, a non-governmental organization based in Mexico City.

Justin Stacker
Sartori Hospital Physical Therapy Volunteer CEDAR FALLS, IOWA	Justin provided rehabilitation services and volunteer support to patients in therapy at Sartori Hospital. He also provided services that the hospital cannot afford any other way.

Kathleen Olvera
Translation and Fundraising Projects of Humanitarian Aid CHIAPAS, MEXICO	Kathleen organized and worked on sending food and necessities by caravan to remote locations. She also worked on a fundraising campaign for educational programs about a project in Chiapas, translated three books, and staffed the office.

Ben Tilghman
Steppiong Stones Children’s Museum NORWALK, CONNECTICUT	Ben helped develop the exhibits and programs to be included in the largest children’s museum between New York and Boston. He designed exhibits and worked with children to test ideas.

Megan Walsh
Sarah’s Inn Domestic Abuse Center OAK PARK, ILLINOIS	Sarah engaged in a combination of administrative work and direct work with staff and victims of abuse. She also worked on a phone triage, provided resources to victims, and worked on programming and counseling for children.

Fleming Elsberry
Bronx Episcopal AIDS Ministry BRONX, NEW YORK	Fleming worked with local populations on AIDS education, sex education, and assisted the area with highest per-capita AIDS occurrence in the U.S.

Margaret Jenks
Housing Opportunities Made Equitable HOLLAND, MICHIGAN	Identified homes of people living at or below poverty level in Western Michigan in serious need of repair, then supervised crew to perform work to bring up to codes.

Yiannia Miralis
Cultural Musical Appreciation Nicoria CYPRUS, GREECE	Yiannia helped revive the cultural traditions among Cypriot peoples in Psematismenos through education and uncovering traditional music and dance.

Kelly Swett
ART REACH Milwaukee MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN	Kelly worked on a program to develop accessibility to arts for people with disabilities. She also helped create audio interpretation of visual arts in exhibitions and the development of tactile exhibits for seeing-impaired patrons.

Anthony Alioto
Walker’s Point Center for the Arts MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN	Anthony developed a children’s program for cultural and artistic development that builds self-esteem among at-risk neighborhood children. He also assisted with office administration and exhibit curation.

Suzanne Barrow
Mead House for Troubled Youth APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Suzanne developed an independent living skills training program for abused adolescent girls.

Daniel Barry
Wau Ecology Institute PAPUA, NEW GUINEA	Daniel engaged in rainforest conservation and research, taught indigenous populations about conservation, and worked on activism projects with the goal of challenging corporate interests and empowering populations without land holdings who depend upon the land. He also taught farmers ecologically sound means of farming.

Jessica Zinda
Teen Recovery Center SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA	Jessia taught pre-natal care, child raising practices, decision-making skills, family planning and health to young mothers in a drug recovery program.

Jessica Holden
Internship with Two Medical Teams in the Philippines RIZAL, PHILIPPINES	Jessia worked with Filipino women in a midwifery clinic in the poverty stricken area of Rizal.

Kara Richards
Joshua House Residential Care facility for Children removed from Abusive Homes APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Kara served as a houseparent in a home for abused and neglected children, established by the Child Protection Agency of Health and Human Services due to a shortage of foster homes. She worked with children ages newborn to 13 years.

Steve Gruber
Habitat for Humanity, Mathematics Tutor, and Battered Women’s Shelter QUETZALTENGAGNO and CATNEL, GUATEMALA	Steve worked on 3 projects: building Habitat houses, tutoring children, and working in a battered women’s shelter. The shelter work included physical improvements to the facility to make it more structurally stable and safer for children. He also worked with children and victims of abuse.

Andrea Nichols
Internship with American Cancer Society APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Andrea worked as a field assistant with fundraising projects, helped with Rely for Life events, and prepared news releases, PSAs, and articles for newsletters. She also worked with the media to promote the Cancer Society.

Lora Schultz
Internship with Villa Hope Residential Services APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Laura interned in a home for 30 men with developmental challenges or brain trauma, corrections’ delinquents, or men with mental illnesses. She served as a staff assistant, mentor and friend to patients.

Stacy Czerniak
Cooperational Aid Development FUNDIAC MANAGUA, NICARAGUA	Stacy spent half of her day in a soup kitchen feeding malnourished children and providing arts and crafts activities and other educational enrichment for them. She spent her afternoons in a woman’s cooperative working on building self-esteem, training, etc.

Scott Nguyen
Fox Valley AIDS Project Resource Library Development APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Scott organized and cataloged materials that were collected over time in the AIDS Resource Center (ARC) of Wisconsin.

Ben Palchick
Human Heart Exhibit Fox Cities Children’s Museum APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Ben worked on the creation and building of a Human Heart exhibit for the Fox Cities Children’s Museum.

Erica Rand
Puerto Rican Cultural Center CHICAGO, ILLINOIS	Erica volunteered with the staff of a summer camp that teaches skills involving self-determination, self-sufficiency, and self-development to children.

Jana Gearhart
Children in Protective Custody ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI	Jana volunteered in a small state-licensed daycare facility with emphasis on the arts.

Edward Immler
Disaster Relief American Red Cross APPLETON, WISCONSIN	Edward helped with the preparation of a disaster relief plan and created a computer program to track resources and resource allocation, and recorded the needs of victims in a disaster.

Emily Murray
House of the Good Shepherd Children’s Program CHICAGO, ILLINOIS	Emily volunteered in a shelter for victims of abuse (mothers and children). She also worked in a children’s library, providing summer activities for children, and engaged in short term projects for the center.