Indiana University East shared its community-focused projects in the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge Inaugural Report published by the U.S. Department of Education. The report highlights participating institutions’ activities as part of President Barack Obama’s national initiative that began in 2011 with the goal of providing or expanding opportunities for students to participate in community service with a component of interfaith engagement.

IU East is one of 11 universities or colleges in the state of Indiana to participate in the inaugural program.

The university joined the program when it began in August 2011 as an initiative to build understanding among diverse communities and contribute to the common good.

IU East’s programs had the theme of “listening” to promote conversation and new experiences, providing students a variety of opportunities to actively participate in service-learning. This included “Seniors sharing stories,” focused on students visiting with elderly residents to learn about their life experiences and “I’m Listening,” during which volunteers listened to children read aloud to help improve their reading abilities as part of Richmond’s Third-Grade Academy.

There were 1,860 people, including 975 students, who were participants in service learning in the year reported.

“Service-learning continues to grow at IU East, with faculty and students committed to having a positive impact in our community,” said Frances Yates, faculty liaison to Indiana Campus Compact. “The Center for Service-Learning added 15 community partners in 2013, and IU East students provided a 30 percent increase in the number of hours of service.”

The Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) Service Engagement AmeriCorps program provides direct service and support to the host site institution, local community agencies and programs — making a difference in their communities. Additionally, students become a part of the AmeriCorps national service network of improving lives and strengthening communities and gain valuable civic and workforce skills.

Community organizations interested in developing service-learning opportunities with IU East can email iueastsl@iue.edu or call 765-973-8411.