FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. COC-09-020-SC
September 3, 2008
College of the Canyons to Host First Non-Profit Fair The desire to help others and to contribute to a greater good are especially strong among the college-aged. But while thinking big is admirable, sometimes it is best to start small -- and not too far from home. More than 30 local non-profit groups and organizations will attend the College of the Canyons Non-Profit Fair on Sept. 17 to reach out to students and community members and explain how they can help further their non-profit causes. “Non-profits are notoriously understaffed and underfunded, so this gives them a great opportunity to reach out and show all of us how we can get involved in our community and give of our time and talents,” said Jennifer Hauss, director of the college’s service learning program, which is sponsoring the event. The service learning program allows students to apply the concepts and theories they learn in the classroom to real-life situations and challenges through volunteering in their community. “Education becomes more relevant,” Hauss said about the program’s benefits. “Students are able to network and explore career options -- all while enhancing their grades and giving back to our community.” Some organizations that have already signed on to participate are Ahead with Horses, City of Santa Clarita, Domestic Violence Center of SCV, Habitat for Humanity, Heads Up Therapy on Horseback, LETMESAIL, Hunger Defense Fund, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Special Olympics of the Santa Clarita Valley. Although the fair is specifically meant for service-learning students, it will also be a great opportunity for all students, faculty, staff and community members to learn about our community-based, non-profit organizations’ missions and volunteer opportunities. “At this point in the semester, students are choosing organizations with which to do their academic service-learning projects,” said Hauss. “This will give them the opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives from these organizations, learn more about them, and ask questions.” The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the outdoor area between the college’s administration building and the Student Center on the Valencia campus. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the non-profit fair, contact Hauss at (661) 362-3422 or jennifer.hauss@canyons.edu. | 
