DVC Members: The following is a sample project idea list through each committee. Please consult the Community Outreach Center (FSC 120) for additional project ideas:

CHILDREN--EDUCATION

Elementary School, Middle School and High School Projects: Drury students are invited to participate in the classroom activities of Boyd Elementary, Pipkin Middle and Central High Schools. All schools struggle with low attendance, high mobility rates, lower academic success rates and social behavior issues. Any service project (all within walking distance of Drury's campus) would have a significant impact.

Mentoring/Instruction at Elementary, Middle, and High Schools: Engage in a one-on-one relationship with a student identified by counselors as needing additional emotional and/or academic support.

Literacy Tutoring at Boyd Elementary School: Designated times for Drury students to engage in literacy tutoring are determined each semester by the Boyd faculty.

Diversity Education : Educational programming focusing on the strengths of diversity.

Election Process/Education : With the upcoming Presidential election, educational programs focusing on voter awareness issues would be informative. Mock elections can also be arranged in conjunction with the League of Women Voters.

OACAC Childcare Centers : OACAC serves the Springfield community as a childcare service to low-income families. Many OACAC Headstarts exist in the Springfield community. Possible projects include donating books, reading books, art projects, educational programs, and/or facility maintenance/improvement.

Boys and Girls Club, Henderson Unit : The Boys and Girls Club is a club specifically designed for boys and girls in our neighborhood as a place to safely play, participate in sports and learn developmental skills. The Club offers after-school tutoring, game room activities, supplemental education and meals.

CHILDREN--SPECIAL NEEDS

Family Violence Center: FVC serves the Springfield community as a small shelter for the victims of domestic violence. Typical residents are female, long-term victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and mothers of 2-3 children.

Regional Girls' Shelter: RGS serves the Springfield community as a shelter for junior high and high school girls who are the victims of abuse and/or neglect. Possible service projects include educational programming, tutoring, mentoring and arts-related programming.

Ronald McDonald House Charities : RMHC serves the Springfield community as temporary housing to the families of seriously ill children needing prolonged hospitalization. RMHC also serves as an assistance program to low-income families for food, clothing, medical and dental care.

Special Olympics: Special Olympics serves the greater Springfield community as a year-round sports training organization and athletic competition provider in a variety of "Olympic-style" sports for children and adults who are physically and/or mentally challenged. Late spring sports will be announced at a later date.

Boys and Girls Town – Traditional Services & Emergency Crisis Center : The Boys and Girls Town, Emergency Crisis Center serves as a holding facility for southern Missouri youth aged 0 to 17 years old for placement in foster homes. Children of the Emergency Crisis Center have been recently removed from their home for various reasons, including physical and sexual assault. Possible service opportunities include educational/arts programming, tutoring, mentoring, playing sports or board games.

Developmental Center of the Ozarks : DCO serves the Springfield community as a child care provider for children with disabilities. Teachers and assistants implement creative curriculum as well as therapies for the 130 children of DCO. Possible service opportunities include educational/arts programming, tutoring, mentoring, playing sports, board games, etc.

UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS

African American After-School Group @ Central High School : A CHS after-school program designed to offer specific educational programs for African American students. Two groups meet regularly; one for females and one for males.

Grupo Latino Americano (GLA) : GLA provides English as a Second Language instruction, cultural presentations, as well as intercultural connections in the greater Springfield area. In the Spring of 2004, GLA plans to offer curricula designed to expose non-native residents to traditional aspects of American culture such as visiting the doctor's office, opening a banking account, responding to an emergency situation, etc.

POVERTY SITUATIONS

Missouri Hotel : Missouri Hotel serves as the region's largest homeless shelter for families reaching more than 1,800 residents yearly. Possible projects range from childcare to maintenance to instructional or artistic programs.

Victory Mission : A Christian-based homeless shelter, the Victory Mission offers students many opportunities to volunteer. Possible projects range from maintenance/construction to instructional/artistic programs.

The Kitchen : The Kitchen serves on-site meals three times daily to the hungry of the Springfield community. Volunteers can help with preparation, distribution, and cleanup.

Fresh Start : The Fresh Start program provides needed household items to those families leaving transitional housing. Possible projects include increasing program awareness and educational programs.

Rare Breed: Rare Breed serves as a runaway shelter for teens aged 13-21 years old. Possible projects include the preparation of meals on location or the planning of a social activity at the center, like a movie night.

Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity provides low cost, low interest homes to families in need. Possible projects include the construction of a new home, the deconstruction of a vacant home as well as work in the Re-Store, a recycling program.

Ozarks Food Harvest : OFH serves as a regional food bank. Students could assist with organizing and helping stock donated items in the food pantries.

OUTDOOR/HISTORICAL PRESERVATION

Ozark Greenways : Ozark Greenways serves as a protector and preserver of undeveloped green spaces. Possible service projects include advocacy, trail construction/maintenance and beautification projects.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Southwest Humane Society : The Humane Society serves the greater Springfield community as an animal shelter and adoption center. Possible service projects include awareness/fundraising projects, volunteering at the two sites, washing/walking animals, etc.

Rainbow Farms : The Rainbow Farms Project, Inc is a rescue organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of animals who may be harder to place because of their special needs. www.rainbowfarms.org *The Farm is located about 50 minutes from Springfield.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Franciscan Villa : A self-care retirement community that enables the elderly to live on a limited income while keeping their independence. Possible service activities include social interaction, organizing festivals or dances, educational programming, planting flowers with the residents or artistic endeavors.

Joy Assisted Living : Joy Assisted Living Center serves the Springfield community as a living center for the elderly. Possible service activities include social interaction, organizing festivals or dances, educational programming, planting flowers with the residents or artistic endeavors.

Cox Hospital : Cox Hospital offers a wide variety of medical-related service projects. Attractive to Pre-Medical students, service projects at Cox vary between semesters depending on areas of need. A current listing of service needs at Cox are available in the Community Outreach Center.

Hospice Southern Care: Hospice serves the Springfield community as a tool for life betterment for citizens at the end of life. Student-volunteers can serve as errand runners, in-home meal preparation helpers or just spend time reading and play games with individuals.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS

Rainbow Network : Rainbow Network (with offices in Springfield) is dedicated to helping Nicaragua's poorest people through healthcare, education, economic development, and housing. For more information, visit: www.rainbownetwork.org

Heifer International: Heifer International represents an effort to “pass on the gift” of animals as resources to third world countries. As people share their animals' offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. www.heiferproject.org