The stale smell of cleaning agents lingered as he entered the common room. Men with shaved heads sat in a semi circle. They wore identical orange uniforms. They shuffled in their seats. They waited for him to begin the weekly Mass.
Travis Doboszenski wanted to volunteer when he got out of college, but he also wanted to stay in the United States. So, he joined Americorps, a community service and leadership program designed to work with nonprofit organizations. He volunteered at a prison ministry in New Hampshire. He helped with the weekly Christian Masses.
“Working with the inmates was not any different than working with anyone else,” said Doboszenski, facilitator of AmeriCorps VISTA.
His office is a small cubicle in the corner of a bustling room. A bright magic marker-colored sign stands out saying, “Welcome to USM, Travis.” Words of encouragement are written all over the poster. Travis sits in his comfortable twirl chair as he works on community service events for the University of Southern Maine community. He is a do-gooder.
The University has a program called AmeriCorps VISTA, which means Volunteers in Service to America. The program began soon after the Peace Corps was established. It is designed for people of all ages to go out into the greater community and volunteer. These community service opportunities are varied. They can be one-time group projects to monthly and weekly volunteer programs.
Doboszenski has only been part of the USM community and VISTA since August; however, he quickly realized the University is a nontraditional university with commuter students making up more than half of the entire student body.
“It is difficult to find time to volunteer in the community,” said Doboszenski.
Still, he encourages everyone to get involved.
AmeriCorps VISTA allows opportunities for leadership skills as well as serving the surrounding communities. Students choose a particular volunteer program or social issue valuable to them. They are expected to perform at least 300 hours of community service, which averages out to about six to 10 hours per week.
“There are financial benefits. You can get educational awards after completion of the VISTA program,” said Doboszenski.
“I think they (students) have enough time,” said Torrey Ham, a junior media studies major. “I’m planning to set up programs such as volunteering at a local soup kitchen.”
VISTA has been a part of the University for a few years. However, every three years there is a new VISTA facilitator at USM. Each facilitator must work with different organizations. Doboszenski is laying the foundation for VISTA on campus. In November there will be a Hunger Banquet.
“It’s a ticket simulation of the world’s population with hunger,” said Doboszenski. “People will get tickets to determine their class status.”
During the week of spring break, there is an alternative spring break trip planned for Florida. Students will work with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for needy families. An environmental trip is being planned as well, where volunteers will work on trails in a national park.
“I want to see the community service initiative more visible to students and more accessible,” said Doboszenski. “Community service increases our connections to one community and also adds as a good resume builder.”
Staff Writer Erin Zwirn can be contacted at: [email protected]
Places you can volunteer in the Greater Portland Area
Habitat for Humanity
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Sexual Assault Response Services
America Reads/America Counts
Anyone interested in VISTA or other community service opportunities can contact Travis Doboszenski at 228-8389