Reflections
The Bennion Center encourages everyone to share in the experience of service and reflection. To submit your reflection, click here!
"There is not one experience in the Bennion Center that I can say has been more memorable than the others. My collective experiences in the Bennion Center have changed my life. I have met so many motivated individuals who are out to change the world and I am proud to be a part of their movement. The Bennion Center has helped me find my voice, my confidence and my passion. It has equipped me with valuable skills to devote my life to service and advocate for what I believe in. It has been my most positive and enjoyable experience in my college career and the reason I stayed at the University of Utah. I truly hope more students will be able to experience the uplifting, life-changing involvement that is in the Bennion Center!"
- Kelsey Stark, Service Council Vice President
"My First experience with the Bennion Center was with the Campus AIDS Project. At one of our first meetings we discussed the planning of World AIDS week and the activities. I was given the responsibility of creating and providing a banner for our tabling. I felt a sense of belonging to this new community that I had just become a member of. During World AIDS week we asked students to sign the banner to help make a statement showing the need for HIV/AIDS awareness.The banner is still in the Bennion Center and was used last year during the wellness fair and World AIDS week and will be used for years to come.
This movement had a large impact on me because it was something tangible that shows the amount of care in our community to sensitive issues. It was because of the acceptance that I felt by those program directors and that project that I decided to return to the BC the following year as the Campus AIDS Project program director and help run the program so that I could help make that same impact to someone else. I still work with the BC as the Social Justice Coordinator, and I attribute this to that acceptance and that simple project that I was given that truly made me feel like an active part of this amazing community."
- June Hiatt, student
"I don’t think my University experience would be nearly as incredible without the service element. I have learned more from the BC than I could possibly put down in words; but basically I have learned what it means to be a living, breathing, caring human being. Being a program director pushed my boundaries beyond myself. I had to figure out how to lead and then do it. Every service project opened my eyes to the biases I have, to the injustices in the world, and most importantly, to the ways we can change it."
- Sabrina King , Service Council President
"Working with America Reads has been so much more than just tutoring. I have learned so much about myself during the past year, especially. I feel that the America Reads program is somewhat unique in that, by and large, it is about doing, just getting out there and tutoring these kids and helping them as best we can. We may not be the ideal people for the job, but darn it, we’re trying. I’m working at a different school next year, and even though I try to be tough I found myself fighting back tears as I said goodbye to a student I’d been working with all year. I’d watched him improve so much over the past year and gotten to know him so well. We may think of our job as helping kids but at the same time we are changing and helping ourselves."
- Alex Griffin, America Reads Tutor
"The opportunity for students to take an active role on campus, in the community and in their own education is priceless. Whether the experience exists as a Volunteer Coordinator, Director, SPaCE Cadet, ASB participant, Service-LEarning Scholar, Service House Resident or America Reads Tutor, it does not matter. The chance to be a student and a teacher provides unique opportunities to gain knowledge about and from yourself and to tap into resources you never knew existed. The chance to positively impact one person, a community, a state, a nation, and/or the world is a life changing experience."
- Anonymous student
"I volunteered with the Bennion Center because all other students who are service oriented compose my family. It is the community within the Bennion Center which inspires me to achieve my goals of helping others and empowering me to fight against the faces of oppression which brings the BC into existence. In a perfect world, there would be no need for the Bennion Center, but there is a need. The BC is the students who want change, and through this community we have, and will, make our difference."
- Anonymous student
"Doing service provides the meaning in my life. It allows me to take a step away from my issues, problems and business and focus on helping others through their struggles. It provides me with perspective, understanding and most importantly: love. I’ve become a more accepting, caring and easy-going person through service.
Service, especially through the Bennion Center, allows me to create and nurture lasting, deep friendships with those whom I serve and serve with. It creates an atmosphere of energy and deep devotion to service. The people in the Bennion Center are genuine and would much rather haul 60 boxes from the Dance Company’s storage into 6 vehicles and then drive them to another storage center, unload and carry them down a flight of stairs than sit and play video games or mindlessly watch television. Service has changed my life for the better and forever."
- Anonymous student
"Trainings are always an inspiration. People commit to five very long days with each other – people they may have met or only spent a few minutes with before going into 16 hour days together. At first it’s a bit awkward, as folks joke nervously, do some silly activities together to start building the ties that will hold us together as a group for the year. Will we go through the tumultuous process of silliness to agreement, to disagreement in discussion and come through a cohesive team? Or will we be content with civility, but not choose to truly commit to tie our failures together for a year of thought, action and growth?
It is the 2nd day and it may yet be too early to tell, but I’ve seen individuals opening up, sharing, challenging already. It is a good sign. I believe this group will be one of the ones that dares dream big, organized enough to plan well, led by leaders with the wherewithal, experience, commitment to help convert dreams to reality.
There is pain and heartache as people learn more about the crushing reality of daily life for many in society, and confronted with the struggles for the impoverished, hit with the ignorance of racist, agist, sexist acts, daunting social ills can lead people to quit, to clam up, to retreat into themselves. Only the most committed groups are able to be vulnerable with each other, to open up to one another, acknowledge their own fears, uncertainly. Issa said it well – somewhere out there, beyond right, beyond wrong, there is a field. I will meet you on that field."
- Curt Larsen, BA'97 Bennion Center Program Director
"The Bennion Center has really opened my eyes to the importance and necessity of service, and then provided those opportunities to get involved and make a difference, both within individuals and whole communities. I have grown to love service and it has become woven into who I am and how I live my life.
The BC really does an excellent job of bringing people in and finding a place for everyone. I came to this University with some volunteer experience coming from high school, and so when I heard of the Bennion center as a freshman, I decided to investigate. I have been with the BC now two years and will continue service in the BC next year. I have been a student volunteer, a program director, and next year I will be a coordinator. These all have been ways to learn about the various aspects of service and great gateways to encouraging others to explore service within the Bennion Center. The Bennion Center has become a home and a place to learn, grow and have fun while serving myself as well as others.
- Anonymous student
"The BC gives me the opportunity to find myself. I’ve always thought of myself as a “rugged individual”, but it wasn’t until I tapped into the Bennion philosophy that I realized that interaction is key to internal growth. I am constantly challenged to learn from my interactions. Sometimes this process can be very difficult, but I feel that what I learn in the BC is just as valuable as anything that I learn inside of a classroom."
- Clint Hugie, student
"The Bennion Center is an incredible resource to say the least. What draws me to the Bennion Center is that the people and groups within it are so diverse, yet an exhilarating sense of unification for a greater cause amongst similar interests is upheld.
The Bennion Center, while only having been in contact with it for a short time, has changed and shaped who I am today. I have learned a wealth of knowledge about people, issues in our community and throughout the world, and how to have a voice regarding issues that are important to me. I feel I have found my place on campus, something I believe to be not so easy to do amongst 30,000 other students and hundreds of groups.
My first, and life changing experience with the Bennion Center was with Alternative Spring Break – San Diego, where we worked with agencies dealing with topics of immigration. Not only did I learn about immigration in general, I learned how to go about instigating change and the role that I played in the issues. I also was able to come together with a group of people who had similar interests to me and learn a great deal regarding diverse topics. The Bennion Center rocks!"
- Jonathan Ng, student
"Becoming involved with the BC happened by chance my first few weeks freshman year. But has ended up becoming one of the best decisions I have made. I have learned more than I could have any where else on campus. On deep and life changing issues/topics. I have become more aware of my surroundings and the root issues behind what we are doing. Even though I had been doing service since I was extremely little, I still had so much to learn and I’m still on the path of doing so I never thought of the root issues behind why I helped. But had always just have seen the need and gone to help with out recognizing or thinking why. Until I came to the BC. I had no idea people even did that. It’s still hard for me to narrow down to one or two issues that I am passionate about. I have always just done a little of everything. And while that’s great, I feel as though I’m missing something.
This past spring I went on ASB Seattle, It helped me to realize how much I do care about homelessness and hunger. Going to the Hunger Banquet also was a very life-changing experience, I never realized how privileged I have been, until those experiences. They have helped me to realize what I really want to do with my life."
- Rebecca Van Maren, student
"The SUWA Moab trip I just put on was one of the best and worst projects I’ve done in the BC. It was good because the service was good and it’s a non-traditional kind of service project. It also was good to me personally because it was very hard to set up and actually make a reality. So, I grew stronger as a Director and personally. However, for that same reason it was the worst. The week before the trip I think I was the most stressed I’d ever been. Things were not working out as well as I wanted, as well during the project I felt like I was a “mama” to my volunteers, had to keep them safe and fed and on occasion I had to burp them. But it was all in all a good experience, I learned a lot and we helped establish a connection for future EAT directors to do and go on Moab trips as well!"
- Luke Leclair-Marzolf, student
"The Bennion Center, to me, is a comfortable place where I can have uncomfortable discussions with those people who I see there constantly. Almost every day I head into the BC to conduct business and, more often, eat lunch, meet a friend, do home work, or take a nap. This is a place on campus that I can call home.
- Yasmeen Hussain, Freshman Service Corps volunteer, Helping Hearts Helping Hands & Volunteer Corps Program Director, Outreach Coordinator
"How will I reflect service and carry forth the Bennion Center's legacy in the coming years? I will remember - remember those in need, remember my need to reach out, remember my purpose on earth, remember the founding principles of the Bennion Center."
- Anonymous 20th Anniversary Dinner Guest
"The Bennion Center introduced me to Native issues and volunteering...I have been working in Alaska Native Health care since graduating from family medicine residency in 2003...I trace my interest in medicine to volunteering through the Bennion Center's Campus AIDS Project for the Utah AIDS Foundation."
- Marin Granholm, BS'96
"I am so very proud that I could be a part of the Community efforts at Bennion Center during the time I was working on my Master's degree at the U. The time I spent and the people I met while I was at the U was certainly very much enriched by the time I spent at the center. Wow 20 years of anniversary service - go Bennion."
- Ruth Anderson, MS'00
It is now past the halfway point of the year. I have enjoyed my involvement with Best Buddies so much already, and am looking forward to finishing the year strong with some very fun activities we have planned. I have grown in so many ways, such as in leadership, responsibility, patience, and caring, and feel I have made a positive difference in the lives of those I serve. But I feel like I have been the benefactor even more than a leader.
There are many stories I could share about my wonderful experiences with Best Buddies, but I'd like to just share a personal note from my one-to-one friendship with my buddy Charlie. Charlie has autism and ADHD and has been my buddy for nearly two years now. As the months fly by, I feel like we grow closer and closer. He has taught me true kindness and caring. For example, just tonight we had plans to hang out after my labs ended at 6:30 pm. It had been snowing for the last few hours and the roads were really bad. As I walked to my car, I called Charlie to confirm our "hangout." He was very excited to watch the Jazz game together, but was even more concerned about me being safe on the roads. Before saying goodbye he paused and said, "Chris, please be careful." His sincerity astounded me and touched me deeply. He told me he loved me before hanging up the phone. I hung up and thanked the heavens for my buddy Charlie. From all the times he's made me laugh to the times he's touched my soul, he has been a true friend. I'm thankful for him and for the amazing opportunity I've had to participate in Best Buddies."
- Christopher Lowe, student
" I will never forget my young friend from Somalia. He was ten years old when I met him, and is the same age as my kid brother. Although put into the 4th grade at the time, my friend was closer to a Kindergarten level and about the size of a Kindergarten student. Through the time we spent together, he was able to learn addition, colors, and more and grew out of at least 2 pairs of shoes. We both experienced an amazing growth spurt, and I'm better for having had the experience."
- Carlene Folau, student
" I enjoy teaching the fourth graders at Bennion Elementary about various science topics once a month. They love when we teach them about fossils and bring them artifacts from the Utah Museum of Natural History that they can pass around. We do a lot of other cool experiments to show them weather and geology concepts, like creating tornadoes in 2-liter soda bottles, or planting seeds in different types of soils to see which works best."
- Steven Watkins, student
"I started volunteering with the Road Home Playroom in August of 2005, and have been going strong since. There, we go wild with the kids and let me tell you, it is a blast! The spectrum of activities is broad, ranging from science experiments to making pinatas. It simply makes my day when we go to volunteer and the kids run up and give a hug or shout out our names. I'd like to think that the kids are getting all the benefit, but in reality, I'd say it's the volunteers that change the most!"
- Jordan Barker, student
"I always look forward to going to Book Club on Monday nights. Once I enter the room, I forget about any personal problems or school stresses that I'm experiencing. All I can think about are all of these awesome kids running into the room and how I can make these couple of hours that they are with me fun and enjoyable for them. Through Book Club, I've come to care about all of these kids so much and take so much joy in seeing their imaginations at work while they connect to a book or an activity."
- Heidi Steimke, student
"The Kid's Book Club has been a very rewarding experience. I've been volunteering with the program for several years now. Each week I get the opportunity to read to kids and help them improve their literacy skills. The kids love to see a familiar face each week and I've been able have some fun, forget about work and school for a little while, and even act like a big kid myself. I feel like I've made a difference in the kids' lives and would definitely recommend this program to others!"
- Jeremy Goeckeritz, student
"As I reflect on this past year I can't help but smile at the success of our program. I feel a great bond with the volunteers and Aly after our many hours of work that we put in together. I must thank Aly for her great leadership and I know that our program would not have been the same without her. I truly view her as my mentor and she has helped me gain the administrative skills needed to lead this program to future success. I look forward to this next semester with a hopeful heart and know that our program will succeed if we keep the momentum that we had last semester."
- Zachary Wach, student
"The skills I have had the opportunity of developing and mastering while being a program director for Crossroads are unmeasurable. I have be able to place my knowledge obtained from my degree in addition to my social skills in practice. More so, I have developed better organizational, prioritizing and networking skills. It's a great environment that has allowed me to make friends with people whom I can relate to and value the same issues as that are of importance to me. I have obtained more from this experience and Bennion in it by itself than I could have ever imagined!"
- Aly Sosa, student
"I have learned so much through the Guadalupe School program. Through teaching English to adults in Salt Lake City, I have come to a better understanding of how great a need there is for English education to adults. I feel like I've actually been able to make a positive effect on the lives of the students I have tutored."
- Samuel Passi, student
"The Bennion Center helped me to set priorities in my life and know what is really important, which are people and relationships. I can not see my life without service anymore. Building community gives me purpose for anything else that I do. The feeling of accomplishment when I am able to help someone is impossible to describe! It is necessary to try it out for yourself to understand. And once you do it, you are hooked! :) Thank you so much, Lowell Bennion Center, for all the opportunities and resources that you have given to me (and so many other students) to discover about ourselves and to make a difference in people's lives."
- Angela Katsuyama, student
"I've had a blast working with this program! The great thing about E.A.T. is the openness there is in the program, as the director I can plan almost any project I want. I don't have the constraints of a single community partner. Besides there's nothing better than getting ones hands dirty helping out mother earth!"
- Luke LeClair-Marzolf, student
"Working with the Bennion Center has been the most positive experience of my college years. I have met the most amazing people who I have become great friends with. The Bennion Center is full of people who share my dreams of making the world a better place. It is such a positive environment and I am honored to be a part of it. The change we affect in the community is something I will always be proud of. I cannot be happier with my decision to devote time and energy to the Bennion Center!"
- Kelsey Stark, student
"When a freshman, I was introduced to the Lowell Bennion Center…Five years later, I have invested myself in a number of challenging and yet meaningful and rewarding projects, empowering me to address and materialize my passion of helping build more sustainable, healthy communities...
Through service to the microorganisms devouring added compost materials, building gardens to grow food and share with the community, educating youth and working with university students about environmental and social health issues, I have learned much about the possibilities of instigating positive change through civic engagement, and bringing people together...
My experiences with the Bennion Center have helped shaped my perspectives on my role in life and instilled within me a culture of service to the community...Click here to read more"
- Alex Parvaz, BA'06 BS'06
"I have tried to maintain my connection to the Bennion Center and have been involved in community problems as my time permits. I believe the ultimate Bennion Center mission is one of educating students by providing the tools necessary for the effective participating in their own communities once they leave the University. The Center’s capacity to affect the world goes beyond the immediate satisfaction of needs in the present to the impact Bennion Center volunteers will have as they find in their own communities. This thought gives me great hope for our collective future...Click here to read more"
- Patrick McCabe, HBA'89
"The Bennion Center had a lasting impact on my life.
I was involved at the Bennion Center between 1992-1995, mainly in environmental projects. The planet may be in worse shape than ever, but the Bennion Center planted seeds of change in me. I continue to volunteer in my community and I am teaching my children the values of justice, awareness, kindness, and responsibility.
Best of luck to the Bennion Center for the next 20 years."
- Becky (Larsen) Hull, BA'96
The Bennion Center has helped me to realize the importance of getting your students involved in the community and the connection that service to the community has to the course curriculum. Through participation and reflection in service learning, my course content has become meaningful for my students. I love watching them apply their newly acquire skills and knowledge.
Through the Bennion Center committees, I have made life-long friends! I initially became involved with the Bennion Center because Lowell Bennion was a friend of my husband’s family. Lowell came to our wedding (22 years ago) and I remember how kind he and his wife were and I remember thinking what a great man he is to have served his community in so many different ways. I will always have his magnet on my fridge…it reminds me of what is really important in life."
- Peggy McCandless, Bend-in-the-River Education Board Member & U of U faculty partner
"I have accepted the challenge of the 20 years 20 years of service. I am keeping a log of service hours. Currently I am averaging 5-6 hours a week in service. I just completed a project I have been looking forward to for the past 2 months. As I was helping prepare the Service Handbook for publication, I noticed the on a list of suggested projects--- “preparing an evening meal for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.” This project jumped at me and I knew I had to do it. I knew that I would be able to ask my Dutch Oven Society for help. I called the Ronald McDonald House to make an appointment in October. They only had two days left for the year; they were December 30 and 31. I choose New Years Eve.
This has been the easiest service project I have ever put together!! Everyone who wanted to help was instantly excited about the event and committed to seeing it through.
The RDH (Ronald McDonald House) provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The evening meal is provided each day by various groups who plan and prepare the meal.
We planned a meal for 40 people. About half of the families came to dinner at 6pm. The others were still at the hospitals and would warm up dinner when the returned for the evening. The families were grateful to sit and relax for a few moments. The families were young with little children. Their burdens are heavy and you could see all the concern in their faces. The hot meal and the warmth of friendship livened up these families even if only for a little while. One father in particular had forgotten what day it was. When I wished him a “Happy New Year” his reply was one of surprise and relief that the year was over and his little child was going to be alright.
This project was simply sharing another’s burden for a little while. This is something I will do again. What a great way to celebrate and begin a new year!"
- Debbie Hair, Bennion Center Administrative Assistant
"The Bennion Center provided the foundation for my cherished college memories. I lived at home to save money and the Bennion Center gave me a niche on campus for four and a half years. While directing Helping Hands Helping Hearts for a year, I developed leadership skills and greater confidence. I learned to organize regular activities and recruited volunteers and send out schedules of activities. I also gained lasting insights talking to homeless men and women as we served side by side in the community.
That experience also helped me to later to be more supportive of other young or inexperienced leaders. When I directed Helping Hands Helping Hearts I was 18 and some of those who volunteered for my project were working on their master's degree and obviously had far more experience and skills than I did. However, they were willing to pitch in a hand and help out. Theirs is an example I try and follow.
At the University of Utah I enjoyed deep philosophical talks with other volunteers in the Bennion Center. The center attracted such good, interesting, talented people -- and most importantly idealists like me. It was great coming into the center and chilling on bean bags attempting to solve the problems of the universe.
My service experience and associations also opened up other opportunities while on campus, like helping with a successful student body campaign, taking independent study with a favorite professor and getting paid to work as a service-learning teaching assistant.
There's so much more I could say. Service healed my inner wounds, brought me joy, expanded my horizons, blessed me with friends, and brightened my perspective. My experience as a Service-Learning Scholar also allowed me to gain skills that helped me qualify for the workforce and for serving inside my family, church and community.
Today, I strive to see service as bigger than just a scheduled project, but as a manner in which I live. It's easy to become obsessed in living up with the Jones' in a world with superficial definitions of success. An attitude of service is imperative to keep from getting caught up in materialism. I often attempt to remind myself to take Lowell Bennion's advice and learn to enjoy life's simple pleasures and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others."
- Karen Lambert, BA'02
"I was lucky enough to attend Project Youth as a sixth grade student in 1995. The experience of being mentored by college students as I toured the amazing University of Utah campus was an indelible one. Despite coming from a family of educated parents and older siblings, I had little exposure to the scope of activities, programs and multi-faceted educational opportunities available in a university setting. Later, as a college student, I became involved with the very program that inspired and enlightened me as a child. I have been involved with Project Youth for five years (including the privilege of serving as co-director) and I am thrilled that I can continue to share this mind-opening experience with sixth-graders every year."
- Barbara Thorton, former student director
"The Bennion Center provided me with a framework to transform idealism and compassion into action within the community."
- John Pingree, BA'89 BS'90
LIVING IN THE PROCESS
"I have a passion for the process of discovering myself striving toward community deepening my understandings accepting imperfections changing inequalities loving unconditionally living to my values.
I have a passion for the struggle: to end poverty of the body and spirit hunger homelessness waste neglect abuse ignorance.
I have a passion to remember that life itself is the process and the struggle not the end."
- Irene Fisher, founding director
"The Bennion Center most definitely impacted who I am and the career path that I chose. I simply cannot imagine going to work at a job each day without feeling like I am doing SOMETHING to make some sort of a positive impact in the world. Although my job is tough (teaching students with academic challenges in a low-income, inner city school), I can honestly say that, most days, I can come home and feel like I have made some sort of a difference... and that is part of the Bennion center living on in my heart."
- Sonja Davidson, BS'01
"I started at the Bennion Center shortly after it had opened and I was part of the first group of Rotary Interns. I was excited about the addition of the Bennion Center because I wanted an organized means to volunteer. I come from a family that is service-oriented and I spent my childhood volunteering in nursing homes. My family visited the elderly without any family members and hosted holiday parties. There were a lot of holidays that I spend in a nursing home. I had difficulty finding volunteer opportunities as I grew up. I think that non-profits want volunteers, but they don’t always have a way to respond to calls, train volunteers or organize them. I think that the Bennion Center provides a structure that allows volunteerism to be a good experience for the volunteer and the non-profit organization.
The Bennion Center also provided wonderful hands-on training. I learned more from my volunteer work than any of my course work. Some of the skills I learned were academic such as planning and evaluation. More importantly, I learned interpersonal skills such as communication, team building and motivation. The most important quality I gained from my work at the Bennion Center is resourcefulness. As interns, we often had projects without the resources to meet the needs of the project. This has been true throughout my career, and I have always been creative in meeting the needs of an individual or organization with limited resources.
I have worked in non-profit organizations serving the medically underserved since graduation. I am currently the Executive Director of Midtown Community Health Center. Our mission is to make health care accessible to those who don’t have access due to financial, language or cultural barriers.
My favorite memory of the Bennion Center is when we made giant pictures of the Maurice Sendak characters from Where the Wild Things Are and hung them in the hallways of the Union Building. We wanted people to know that volunteering is fun and requires imagination. The Bennion Center helps people appreciate what they gain from volunteerism, not on what they are giving."
- Lisa Nichols, BA'89 MSW'91
"The Bennion Center taught me that I can't do it all on my own. I learned SO much about working with others and bringing people together to get things done. But at the same time, I realized my true potential to make a difference. I know that I can do anything and be anyone I want to be with the skills & confidence that I gained during my time at the Bennion Center. I just hope that the surge of motivation from undergrad lasts all the way through med school!"
- Becca Wehunt, BS'07
"I am going to Madagascar for the Peace Corps. The Bennion Center introduced me to service and taught me the intrinsic value of interacting with and benefiting others as well as myself."
- Marshall McCormick, BA'07 BS'07
"The Lowell Bennion Community Center
has taught me that SERVICE is not what you do,
but it’s WHO YOU ARE.
Service means…
lending a hand to someone else,
stepping out of your comfort zone,
discovering who you are,
realizing your passion,
loving what you do,
involving yourself in deep conversations,
learning something new from each experience,
asking questions,
being challenged,
exploring the world around you,
finding ways to solve an issue,
informing others,
being present,
listening,
reflecting,
doing something because it makes you feel good,
creating memories,
building relationships,
getting others involved,
and sharing your stories with those around you.
SERVICE IS LOVE!It’s not only the people you meet,
but it’s also the conversations and life lessons
you will forever remember."- Yevy Kopeleva, student
ASB has been wonderful. The first time that I participated I was nervous because I had no idea of what to expect. This nervousness turned into excitement immediately. My favorite part of ASB is the dynamic of a dozen people who previously did not know each other working together toward a common goal. The friendships and memories do last a lifetime. Leading ASB trips is just as exciting and wonderful as being a participant. The learning that takes place is unique and life-changing. I have learned about the connections between environmental issues and social issues that I previously had not thought about. I love this program and am so glad that I am a part of that change in other participants."
- Nicole Kraus, student
"I enjoyed my four years of working for America Reads. I felt that I was involved in the community by having the opportunity to work at different elementary schools. I loved each moment of helping a student learn and progress in education and I valued each child's culture and background and what they had to offer. I loved the people I worked with and felt supported and encouraged. The hours were flexible for me to focus on my classes. I'm so grateful I was able to find this great program!"
- JoLynn Meirovitz, BS'05
"For the past four years, I have been involved in ASB. I have had the opportunity to help lead trips to Tijuana, Seattle and Portland. I have witnessed first-hand how ASB impacts students lives. An important part of students' engagement is on the trip; however, the impact reaches beyond just Spring Break. Many of the students that I have traveled with continue to be involved in issues and ways to improve our community long after the trip.
Students who have the opportunity to go on ASB learn about how other communities are working to address issues such as poverty, health care, hunger, homelessness, recycling and sustainability. They learn how members of other communities are working toward possible solutions. Then, they come home and continue to be engaged in possible solutions.
Students also learn how to work together. Given that many of the issues that we learn about cannot be solved by one person - no matter how diligent the efforts, ASB offers a learning environment that requires students to face head-on the challenges of wrangling with multiple issues and solutions.
They learn together just how challenging it is to work for commonality when numerous solutions and competing interests are present. In ways that cannot always happen in the classroom, students are engaged with important social and environmental problems and must work toward and together for possible solutions.One of the most unfortunate things about ASB is that more students do not have the opportunity to go. It costs money. Some students on our campus do not have access to extra funds that they would need to go. ASB gets some funding to offset costs, we fundraise and we have a small about of money to offer scholarships. However, I know that more students would take advantage of this opportunity if cost was not a barrier."
- Liz Leckie, BA'97 MA'99
"When I started attending the University of Utah in 2004, I was looking for a system of support that could help me progress and maneuver through such a huge institution. I knew diversity was my niche. The Bennion Center is where I found it all - a cool place to hang, a place to practice and develop my leadership and a place to meet friendly and different people.
I remember my first Alternative Spring Break trip to LA working for the AIDS Project Los Angeles and how much fun and how educational it was. I learned so much about myself, about others and about the world. I had no idea that folks living with HIV and AIDS were still just normal regular people filled with promise, ambition and hope. I also had no idea that my site leader and peers were so open to things outside of "Salt Lake City" especially open to me-a real trouble maker. The next year when I was an ASB Site Leader I took my students back to LA and boy did they learn a lot from serving at the food bank, going to a gay club and attending a late night talk show. So different from Salt Lake. Mostly they learned about diversity and today after being an ASB Site Leader and being the one of the first to live in the Service House (drafting the mission and integrating diversity values), I am the Director of YouthWorks, a pre-employment drug and alcohol prevention program aimed at youth success.
My success has always been through the success of others and for those who impacted me at the Bennion Center I make that contribution back to the community in which I live and work. I am diversifying the community by exploring diversity issues among the youth and through their diversity helping them to succeed. Thanks, Bennion Center, for accepting the diversity within me."
- Clif Uckerman, BS'06
