CBU students participate in Love Riverside service project

California Baptist University students help maintain facilities at University Heights Middle School for the Love Riverside service project on Oct. 21.

Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2017) – On a sunny autumn morning, more than 90 California Baptist University students and faculty spent their time serving in various ways as part of the Love Riverside service project, on Oct 21.

Activities included picking up trash at Fairmount Park; gardening and brush removal at Loring Park; painting and general clean up at University Heights Middle School; and assisting with recreational activities with residents at Meridian Gardens Senior Living,.

The Love Riverside service project goal is to inspire generosity that brings love in action to Riverside. The College of Behavioral and Social Science and the University Advancement division at CBU co-sponsor the event along with the City of Riverside. Approximately 500 volunteers from the community worked on 28 separate projects during the day of service.

Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, worked with the students at Fairmount Park. Service learning is a requirement in her Theories of Counseling (PSY 422) course.

The service day lets the community know that there are individuals who care for Riverside, Vazquez said. The projects also place students into the community and allow them foster connections with people who have different experiences and perspectives on life, Vazquez added.

“I think our students need to be able to experience what it’s like to live in those communities, to see the people, talk with them, get to know them, work alongside them, so we can have a better understanding of what their needs are,” Vazquez said.

Andrew Fogg, a junior psychology major, enjoyed the camaraderie of service.

“This experience inspires teamwork and gives everyone an opportunity to work together,” Fogg said. “I gained a whole new perspective on life outside of CBU.”

Shalia Eslick, a junior psychology major from Fresno, California who volunteered at Fairmount Park, said she wanted to become better acquainted with Riverside.

“From volunteering, I am learning how important it is to be an active part of the community,” Eslick said. “I also think it’s really important to set an example for others by serving our community.”