By Eliana Shenk ’24, staff writer

Serving means something different for everyone, but it is always important and impactful for others and ourselves.

Service is a major part of LVC, even making its way into the values of the Imagine LVC strategic plan. This is because of the value it provides both students and the communities served as they look beyond themselves to see and fill the needs of others.

“I think it’s easy to get stuck in our own little bubbles and view things pretty narrowly,” Jen Liedtka, coordinator of service and volunteerism, said. “When we start to serve, and we surround ourselves with people or put ourselves in places that are different than what we typically know, we can start to understand that the world is much bigger.”

With an expanded perspective and worldview, students learn more about their communities, themselves and their lived experiences. Service opportunities provide a way for people to grow and connect their abilities to real needs.

“It gives students the chance to build relationships when we serve,” Liedtka said. “Some barriers that sometimes exist between us get broken down naturally because we’re focusing on something other than ourselves. I think we have the chance to develop skills both related to our future careers and some soft transferrable skills as well.”

Serving is beneficial for both the volunteer and the recipient. While the benefits for the volunteer are valuable, it is important to understand and focus on the true purpose of serving to keep a grounded mindset.

“It’s not only a way to give back to the community, but also helps those who participate in service to feel a sense of belonging,” Abbey DeLisio, a junior physical therapy major, said. “I think being able to feel the impact you give has impacted me a lot, and that fuels my want to help others and keep serving.”

There are many ways to be impactful through serving. Each community has a variety of needs, all of which need the help of others to overcome. Every person has the opportunity to make an impact through service, whether that be in response to a major need or in seeking out a passion.

One way to serve is through weekly serving with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, tutoring in the local schools or serving at a local food pantry. These opportunities are apart from the typical one-time service events and provide a way for volunteers to commit their time and efforts to meet needs within the local community and to build deeper relationships with the people they are serving.

Anyone interested in serving can find opportunities at www.lvc.edu/offices/community-service/ or the weekly Dutchmen Serve emails and sign up on Redbook. To get involved in weekly serving commitments, contact Jen Liedtka at liedtka@lvc.edu.