MMC-United Way Partnership Seeks To Increase Student Presence In Community
November 15, 2018
It’s no secret that Mount Marty College (MMC) has been attempting to increase its presence in the Yankton community. This is a goal best accomplished through collaboration with other community entities.
One such entity is United Way, which benefits the community through various volunteer services.
Now, MMC can be added to that list.
"One of Mount Marty’s four core values is community, so our students understand the importance of working to make both the campus community and the Yankton community stronger," MMC President Dr. Marc Long said. "I’m so pleased that they have stepped up and formed a student United Way to help our neighbors in need. It’s a perfect reflection of our Benedictine tradition."
According to United Way Director Lauren Hanson, Student United Way is meant to bring student leaders together that are passionate and committed to strengthening the community through giving, advocating and volunteering.
Members of Student United Way have already begun doing that, albeit in a small way — they created the centerpieces to be used as decoration at the upcoming Yankton Community Holiday Feast set for Calvary Baptist Church Nov. 21.
Student United Way President Ally Serrano, a sophomore pre-dental major, said organizers are still working on solidifying a number of group participants. She and three others make up the executive board.
Originally from a large town in California, Serrano expressed her desire to get to know the smaller community of Yankton better.
"I want to see what the opportunities are," she said. "I think it’s really important to build connections with your community because it can open the doors for job shadowing, help you create personal bonds and give you personal experience through one-on-one relationships."
United Way is the ideal organization to connect the students in the program to the area and all of its goings-on.
"We at United Way believe that engagement of the next generation is important to Yankton’s growth and vitality," Hanson said.
Read the rest of this story on the P&D website.