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Jan and Bud Richter Center

Benefits

Students involved in service typically:

  • Do better in school, are happier with their college education and graduate at higher rates.
  • Improve personal characteristics such as leadership skills, sense of community, self-esteem, communication skills and an appreciation of diversity.
  • Explore potential careers, experience their chosen career field and build their resume.
  • Address serious social problems by investing their time, talent and energy.

Community Benefits

  • Collectively the students give more than 1 million hours annually
  • The estimated economic impact of Fresno State service efforts exceeds $40 million dollars per year
  • Students help out the community in issues related to education, crime, health, the environment and the arts
  • Community Benefit Organizations rely on volunteers, and since the students are learning while they serve, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship

Student making a bracelet with a child.

Student Testimonials

"I had a great experience! This was my first volunteer work in the community and it made me feel better about myself as I contributed to a good cause."
—Student assigned to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

"I had the opportunity to participate in the Alternative Spring Break program in 2010 and 2011 and served at Rotary Storyland and Playland, then at Alluvial Community Garden.  The hard work involved in putting together a successful event, and the many long hours of planning pale in comparison to the satisfaction of knowing that a positive impact was made in the life of a (more-likely-than-not) complete stranger."Alternative Spring Break Student Volunteer

More student testimonials

Agency Testimonials

"Without service-learning students we would not be able to provide programs that greatly benefit the community. In addition to improving the quality of life for our community, students get the opportunity to improve their own lives."
—Agency Quote from Stone Soup of Fresno

Click here to see more agency testimonials.