Although they are currently working to advance their lives and education, the students of Ross Medical Education Center in Lansing, Michigan know that they have it better than many others. Throughout Michigan and the United States, there are many individuals and families that find themselves in tough times. Some of these are able to recover through a brief period of support; however, some others encounter even more profound struggles that leave them unemployed and even homeless.
The staff, faculty, and students at Ross in Lansing wanted to do something to help the homeless in their local area. That’s why they decided to team up with Volunteers of America to help their hometown homeless. According to their website, “Volunteers of America is the charity that always steps forward to help the most vulnerable. For over 119 years, we have taken on the most difficult tasks to help the most under-served.” (http://www.voa.org/about-us) The Lansing campus also believes in helping their community and the people in it in a real way. That desire proved to be highly motivational for them as they worked to gather clothes, shoes, and other resources to give to the homeless.
Throughout the “Help Our Hometown Homeless Drive,” the campus community was able to fill the donation bin four times over with clothing, shoes, and home goods. This is just a fraction of the positive impact that Volunteers of America and organizations like Ross have annually. In fact, each year Volunteers of America touches the lives of more than two million people nationally, and the Lansing campus was so happy to be a part of that movement! Because this partnership initiative was such a success, campus staff decided that this event will be an ongoing campus wide community service. “I am so proud of the selflessness our students have shown by giving to our community,” shared Michelle Rodesiler, Lansing Campus Director. “Since Social Responsibility is a Ross core value, we are happy to help!”
To learn more about this organization and how you can help, visit the Volunteers of America Michigan Thrift Facebook page or their website at www.voa.org.