King's students making a difference by volunteering

Written by Leo Aul, Communications Intern

As part of National Volunteer Week across Canada, King’s recognizes its students who have volunteered their time this year to give back to the King’s, London and surrounding communities.

King’s students have long supported their peers through volunteering their time to offer support programs including:

• King’s Academic Mentoring Program: Senior level students are paired with incoming students to offer support to improve academic success and personal achievement.
• The  King’s Soph Team: Students facilitate the Orientation Week program to assist incoming students by promoting personal wellness, encouraging event participation and connecting students to resources
• International Peer Guides: Incoming international students are paired with current King’s students to help assist in the transition to university life and adjust to Canadian culture.

Along with these programs, King’s students volunteer through clubs supported by the King’s University College Student’s Council. Here are a few clubs that support the London community:

• Best Buddies: This club pairs King’s students with members of the community living with intellectual and development disabilities. These students build friendships by enjoying everyday experiences together.
• King’s Children Association: Student volunteers work alongside the Children Aid’s Society to provide enriching activities for children within the London community.
• Jack.org King’s: Students spread awareness and strive to reduce the stigma of mental health by promoting safe and open discussion.

“Our students are constantly volunteering and giving back to our community. This builds up King’s and our community in London by making it stronger as part of our mission as a Catholic university. Students also receive the benefit of further developing individual skills which are crucial for their personal development,” says Joe Henry, Dean of Students.

King’s students are not the only ones volunteering to help both the King’s and London community. King’s University College Campus Ministry also aids the London community by gathering on the first and second Saturday of each month at the St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre. They offer music, crafts, food, and fellowship with local communities.

To learn more information on how to get involved, visit: https://www.kings.uwo.ca/current-students/student-affairs/career-connect/experience/