Civic Engagement

Here are the thoughts of a student in the Pepsi Service Scholars class offered through the Center for Civic Engagement. See how civic engagement is impacting her life!

            Pepsi has helped me learn about the community of Lincoln and how organizations within the community work together to make Lincoln and the surrounding areas a better place to live. I have had the opportunity to get to help some of the non-profit organizations in Lincoln and learn about what they do and how they help the community. I have learned some statistics about poverty, recycling, and health topics. By helping organizations through Pepsi, I have helped with social issues that help in donating money, time, and efforts into helping people in need. Civic engagement has helped me realize how important it is to help out in the community and to help people in need. This class has also helped me gain a desire to want to help the community. For example, I helped at the Malone Center for their Halloween party. The boys at first seemed to think they were tough and ran the place, but they warmed up to us and didn't want us to leave because they enjoyed spending time with someone who cares. Helping at the Malone Center made me realize that I can make a difference in someone’s life and that some people just want someone to talk to that cares. Pepsi has been a rewarding experience for me, especially since I didn't get the opportunity to do service in high school. Also, I now want to encourage others to help in their communities because people need help and some time and effort will make a difference.