In previous years, the Center for Community Engagement has utilized a Community Involvement Newsletter to allows Missouri State Students and Faculty to stay updated with opportunities for service in the Springfield area. Last year, the Center rolled out an initiative using GivePulse.

The intiative was part of the Northwest Project in partnership with Missouri State University, the Drew Lewis Foundation and Drury University. A five-year grant for up to $1.3 million to address poverty in northwest Springfield was awarded to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. In addition to researching poverty, there was a push for volunteer recruitment in the area. That is were GivePulse comes in and were you all come in!

GivePulse is Missouri State’s opportunity to dive head first into addressing Springfield’s red flags and the initiatives set forward by the Northwest Project. Here are some cool ways to use GivePulse in the coming school year!

1. Use Give Pulse to connect with community partners! Agencies in Springfield are looking for MSU students, faculty, and community members to become active citizen servants within Springfield
2. Connect with fellow students that share an interest and passion for service, leadership, and community outreach!
3. Find community service projects the day of! Usually service projects can be found for almost everyday of the week. We can’t promise that timing of an event will work out; however, we can say with confidence that the opportunity to serve is out there!
4. Search for a specific cause that you are passionate about! From animals to crisis relief, Springfield has agencies and events to check out!
5. The Center for Community Engagement will feature our Service Days on GivePulse! So recruit your friends to serve with other Bears!

Can’t wait to see where this year takes us! Check out GivePulse and get started on your year of service!