New G.O.A.L.s at Work in Michigan; M. Fanning

Yet weeds, garbage, and even erosion have taken their toll on the Simpson Outdoor Labora tory, and these young people have seized the ini tiative, determined to halt the preserve's decline. Several months earlier, many of these students had cleaned up the trails and spread mulch along them. On this particular Saturday in October, howev er, the students embark on a far more ambitious and complicated project. Wielding everything from tools and shovels donated by Hillsdale resi dents to a Ford backhoe, they move earth and heave stone all day. The town, impressed with the commotion, rallies the students in their monu mental endeavor. The Marriott Corporation, TCBY, Subway, Domino's, and Little Caesar's Pizza outlets in town, for example, donate $300 worth of food. In the preceding weeks, a handful of student Mike Fanning, the Foundation for Economic Educa tionS 1991 summer intern, continues his education as a political science major at Hillsdale College and as a G.O.A.L. student.

leaders have spent countless hours publicizing the project, recruiting workers, raising funds, and rounding~ up the necessary tools and equipment. Their organization, energy, and persistence have finally paid off. By late afternoon, exhausted students review their amazing handiwork: a spe cially engineered anti-erosion water manage ment system. Several days later, veterans of the project are seen sporting T-shirts around campus. The shirts capture the spirit of hard work and teamwork forged on that hot, dirty, tiring day. The shirts are emblazoned in bright blue letters that say it all: "I survived the Simpson Project." ******It's 3:00 1 ,on an unseasonably warm Monday afternoon in November. Nancy Pitzler, a junior from Bellevue, Washington,has just ambled out of her third and last classof the day. Although accus tomed to the hectic life and hard work of college, she yearns for a catnap. The night before, Nancy burned several cans of midnight oil studying for a mid-term exam while simultaneously writing an essay for her honors seminar course-college cramming at its best.

Nancy summons her strength· and marches down a gentle hill to her dorm room, enjoying the warm sunlight on her face. Once in her room, she does something uncommon among young people her age. Rather then sneaking in that short nap, she begins to tend to the various details of the vol unteer project she founded during her sopho more year, the "Elderly Companionship Pro gram." The idea behind her program is to foster friendship, understanding, and cooperation between senior citizens and college students. Using the recommendations of local church pastors, Nancy pairs college volunteers with the elderly in what could best be described as a "grandparent-grandchild" relationship. Students visit their adopted "grandparent" weekly to run errands, watch a baseball game, swap stories, share a meal, attend church, or simply take a stroll together. For their part, since most college stu dents are far from home, they appreciate a little piece of "horne" and a loyal friend close to college, especially when it comes to sharing a hot, home cooked meal!

Nancy finds the program to be enriching for young and old alike-an observation that is a source of encouragement and motivation for her. Yet, while helping others, she too has experienced firsthand the personal rewards of voluntarism. In her words, "Being a volunteer, I can assure I'm part of the solution instead of part of the problem." ****** Nancy isn't alone in exhibiting a "go-get-'em" volunteer spirit. When he's not dazzling crowds across the Midwest on wintry Saturday nights with his talents as point guard on the collegevarsity bas ketball team, and when he's not devoting long, gru eling hours to his studies in the library, Jason Andrews of Bothell, Washington, can be found calling the shots in the city-wide basketball league he launched for elementary school children. Jason's precocious interest in community ser vice, however, doesn't stop there. He also spends at least three hours a week with his "little brother,"

Matthew. Among other things, Jason provides Matthew with a needed male role model. Yet Jason, like Nancy, is different from most college students his age in that his college is teaching him about voluntarism in the classroom. He is able to apply his newfound knowledge of philanthropy as a volunteer in the "classroom of life." ***** At a time when many young people are viewed in a negative light, Nancy Pitzler, Jason Andrews, and the 50 volunteers of the Simpson Project are examplars to the contrary. In fact, these students are leadersin-training of a new American genera tion reared with and committed to values practi cally extinct in many people considered leaders today. They are young people gaining valuable experience at offering voluntary, practical, innova tive, non-governmental solutions to community 449 needs. Nancy, Jason, and the Simpson Project organizers have been fortunate to gain this experi ence as members of a unique, privatesector initia tive at work on the campus of a small, liberal arts college in Michigan.

A Unique Idea With a $900,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, Hillsdale College unveiled the G.O.A.L. (Great Opportuni ties for Assistance and Leadership) program in 1988. Composed of 40 students and one full-time director, G.O.A.L. is an interdisciplinary, commu nity-service scholarship program. It supplements Hillsdale's traditional liberal arts education with classroom instruction in philanthropy coupled with hands-on, practical, problem-solving experi ence in the voluntary sector in Hillsdale County. Through this dual emphasis on academics and action, the program imparts to Hillsdale students the responsibility of individuals to improve the livesof other people byfreely givingof themselves. This unique education is designed to inculcate in the young a sense of responsibility and account ability so that upon their graduation, they will be prepared to lead a life of active citizenShip,philan thropy, humanitarian service, and leadership.

Hillsdale College President George C. Roche explains the philosophy of G.O.A.L.: It is one of the unfortunate truths of our time that a large portion of our people neither under stand nor accept responsibility for serving the community.With the growth of government and increased dependence on its programs, the idea of active citizenship and assuming a personal obligation for the well-being of society has come more and more to be viewed as a relic of the past. ... Little or nothing is taught in our nation's schools about the significanceand practical ben efit of helping others, voluntarily with no coer cion by government. ... We saw two sets of parallel and complemen tary needs, and we acted upon them. First, we saw that many of our young people, raised in an age that is increasingly materialistic and self-absorbed, need to commit themselves to something outside themselves, something that can give meaning and purpose to life. Second, we observed the many needs that exist right 450 THE FREEMAN • DECEMBER 1991 here in Hillsdale County-urgent needs for the basic material requirements of life and the educational opportunities that can provide a better future for those who would otherwise never have a chance.

From these observations we began innovat ing. The result is G.O.A.L .... designed to encourage the creative instincts of students, challenging them to find new, imaginative ways of addressing community problems and meeting basic human needs. ThreeResponsibilities Students from a wide variety of backgrounds across the United States apply for membership in G.O.A.L. All applicants have a proven record of leadership and voluntarism in their home com munities, churches, and schools, as well as out standing academic achievement. A competitive application process ensues, culminating with an interview before a faculty/administration selec tion committee. Selected students are promptly charged with responsibilities in three areas. First, they venture into the Hillsdale community to research needs and design service programs to address those needs, givinga minimum of five hours a week. As George Roche says: "Go do something. Don't write me another paper about it. Do something.

We're here to do more than have a higher standard of living." Some students work independently-like Jason with his community basketball league-while oth ers work in conjunction with local service and charitable organizations, such as the Optimist Club of Hillsdale and the Hillsdale County United Way. Indeed, local Optimist Club members elected Jon Eckhardt, a G.O.A.L. student and Hillsdale native, vice president of the club. Chris McKenzie from Bay City, Michigan, sits on the United Way Board of Directors. These young people are gaining valuable insightsinto the operations of not-for-profitservice organizations. McKenzie says:"One main purpose ofG.O.A.L. is to build bridges between the college and community.We are to take care of our fellow man. Taking care of others begins here." Students also attend monthly lectures delivered by outside experts. For example, G.O.A.L. stu dents recently discussed with Washington Post columnist William Raspberry his interest in teen voluntarism. In addition, every Sunday evening all G.O.A.L. members convene to discuss con cepts of philanthropy, voluntarism, and leader ship, among other topics. In order to assess the leadership skills developed and nurtured through their year-long community-service activities, stu..

dents adjourn to Battle Creek after finishing final exams in mid-May to participate in an intensive threeday retreat. In their second realm of responsibility, G.O.A.L. students are expected to involve them selves in a variety of extracurricular activities on the Hillsdale campus-ranging from Greek frater nities and athletics to student government and the college newspaper. As a group, the 40 G.O.A.L. students participate in 34 campus activities or honors groups while working in 43 off-campus community volunteer projects. Finally, despite this whirlwind of involvement on and off campus, students must fulfill challeng ing responsibilities in the classroom. G.O.A.L. stu dents must carry full academic course loads and earn a minimum 3.0 grade point average in order to retain their scholarships. Their median grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale suggests that G.O.A.L. students have no difficultyfulfillingthis requirement.

Additionally, students enroll in a semester-long course taught by the G.O.A.L. director. The course teaches students the "techniques and tradi tions" of voluntarism, the history of philanthropy, and not-for-profit management. This instruction provides G.O.A.L. students with an intellectual groundwork for their in-the-field activities. Thus, not only does Nancy Pitzler, for example, operate her Elderly Companionship service project, she is active in a social sorority, numerous honoraries, and the campus Christian fellowship group. She carries a 3.7 average and pursues a double major in French and American Studies. Scholarshipsfor Leaders This is a scholarship program, after all, and herein lies a unique twist. Hillsdale awards sub stantial merit scholarships to these student leaders, who otherwise might be financiallyunable to attend Hillsdale, to allow them the opportunity to attend a liberal arts college and learn firsthand the practical benefit of philanthropy and commuNEW G.O.A.L.S AT WORK IN MICHIGAN 451 G.O.A.L. students at work in the Simpson Outdoor Laboratory.

nity service. The academic/service scholarships provide students with an excellent incentive to make the most of their time, in and out of the class room. Rather then holding down a part-time or full-time job, G.O.A.L. students can devote signif icant time not only to hitting the books but to ser vice as well. Commenting on the rationale for scholarships, G.O.A.L. Director Duane C. Beauchamp says: "The scholarship is designed to free students from the necessity of working to get money for their educations. It doesn't pay students for their service in the community but rather provides the means for them to give of themselves." These scholarships, however, are not auto matically renewed each year. According to the 1989 annual report of the W.K. Kellogg Founda tion: "Recipients are evaluated annually for demonstrated growth in leadership and volun teerism .... As fellowships are renewed from year-to-year, students become more self-directed in their activities. They are eventually required to write and submit a proposal for possible funding by a foundation. The final year focuses on the stu dents' long-range volunteer plans as part of their career planning."

Varietyof Niches The scope of the G.0 .A.L. program in Hillsdale County is evidenced by the wide variety of project niches carved out by students. Ann Sundareson of Troy, Michigan, set up a tutoring program to aid Hillsdale youngsters in their schoolwork, especial ly mathematics. Ann remarks, "The G.O.A.L. program provided me with an opportunity to show what I could do, and to demonstrate to others that there are people who care and who will take time to serve." Kim Melvin is a talented student -athlete from Perrysburg, Ohio, and she orchestrates a Southern Michigan Special Olympics basketball tournament at the college sports complex every year. Her col league, Jennifer Sanderson of Monroe, Michigan, coordinates her own community literacy program for adults. Kenneth Pierce decided to compile a library of recorded books for the vision impaired. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native reads books onto cassettes, and through his work the visually hand icapped can enjoy many of their favorite literary works by simply listening to Kenneth's voice.

Stephanie Tietje of Leland, Michigan, volun452 THE FREEMAN • DECEMBER 1991 teers weekly at the Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility. Besides visiting with patients, Stephanie assists the staff by organizing events and social activities. She also works with Alzheimer's disease patients to improve their memory by using tactile stimulation and the manipulation of simple objects on a device known as a memory board. Julie Hasenbein of Wauwatosa,Wisconsin,coor dinates an after-school center at the First Presbyte rian Church that keeps an eye on 15 smallchildren. Working parents entrust their children, ranging in age from kindergarten to fifth grade, to Julie and her team of volunteers from 3:30 to 5:30 every weekday afternoon. Julie asserts that "through these volunteers, the children are given good role models in social behavior, values and morals, aca demics' and respect for others." The after-school center has proved so effective in addressing the growing day-care needs of working parents that a Presbyterian Church in nearby Jonesville, Michi gan, has established a similar center of its own.

Scott Woodman, an aspiring doctor from the Detroit suburb of Northville, involves himself at the Hillsdale Community Health Center. Most notably,he organized a renovation of the hospital's pediatrics unit. "Working at the hospital, you have to put yourself in the shoes of the people you're helping. What if I had that illness? It makes volun teering easier, because I would want somebody to care for me in this way." Detroit's Miechia Esco has experienced volun tarism in several G.O.A.L. projects. "My involve ment in these projects gave me the opportunity to receive as much as I gave," she comments. "Help ing others get the chance to accomplish on their own: that is the real spirit of voluntarism!" However, these G.O.A.L. students are by no means the only Hillsdale students to experience the value of community service firsthand through their college educations. All G.O.A.L. members are expected to provide opportunities for their classmates' involvement in volunteer projects that suit their respective personal interests and comple ment their talents. For example, in Jason Andrews' basketball league, he recruits sixcollege students to volunteer their time as coaches to serve alongside Hillsdale residents recruited by the city Recreation Department.

Michelle Porritt of Oxford, Michigan, views G.O.A.L. as a volunteer "clearinghouse" for stu dents: "Before Hillsdale had G.O.A.L., there was nowhere for wouldbe volunteers to go for guid ance, but now they know we're here and we can plug them into a program." By motivating their classmates to contribute their time and energy to worthy community causes, G.O.A.L. members spread the spirit of voluntarism across the Hills dale campus. In the words of Birmingham, Michi gan's Paula Shelton: "I never had the opportunity to be involved in volunteer programs. G.O.A.L. has provided the guidance to show me how to serve effectively." Appearing on the Christian Broadcast Network's Family Channel "Straight Talk," Paula told host Scott Ross that service to others "is far more rewarding than time I spend by myself. The investment that you make in peo ple's lives and what you get back from that is inspiring."

HometownVoluntarism G.O.A.L. students don't confine their commu nity service to Hillsdale County, however. Upon becoming G.O.A.L. students, they sign "student growth contracts" agreeing to give20 hours of ser vice each summer in their hometowns. For exam ple, according to G.O.A.L. News, the program's quarterly newsletter, Nancy Kwant spent her sum mer "vacation" volunteering not only in her home town but in several other cities. In her hometown of Lowell, Michigan, she peeled potatoes, helping the Franciscan Sisters "prepare meals for the jubilees celebrating the nuns' 25-and 50-year anniversaries in the religious life." Nancy then packed her bags for a Pennsylvania day camp where she couldwork with poor children from low-income housing projects in Pittsburgh. "She helped the scrappy five-to-eight year olds play games, do crafts, and learn how to listen to stories," G.O.A.L. News reports. Her strength, patience, and compassion were constantly tested since, in Nancy's words, "these kids were used to so much hostility." In addition to her camp work, Nancy found time to build and restore houses with the Pittsburgh chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

From Pittsburgh, Nancy Kwant moved on to Springfield, Massachusetts, where she gained invaluable experience at a day camp for Spanish speaking children. She was able to put her foreign language training to use, astonishing the kids by speaking fluently in their native tongue. Many of these children were the victims of child abuse, NEW G.O.A.L.S AT WORK IN MICHIGAN 453 broken homes, and drug-infested neighborhoods. Traveling south from Springfield, Nancy landed in Connecticut where she wrapped up her summer the way she started it: peeling potatoes. She volun teered in the kitchen of a Hartford tutorial center. With these experiences in hand, Nancy returned to Hillsdale and resumed her studies with "a new view as to what it is to sacrifice and adjust. So little is required to try and make that difference [in peo ple's lives],I wonder why more people don't giveit a chance." A Rare Species The G.0 .A.L. program is rearing a rare species of leader committed to the values and virtues of voluntary citizen cooperation in solving societal problems-values and virtues in short supply today. As George Roche notes: "In the absence of government intervention, leadership in the form of volunteerism and altruism can promote perma nent solutions to problems confronting the Hills dale community as well as the nation. This pro gram involves students working to help people locally. It's not more government funds or pro grams; it's individuals seeing problems in the community and doing something to resolve them."