Business Affairs employees get their hands dirty for a good cause.
Beginning in May, the Division of Business Affairs will launch an employee volunteerism program. Throughout the year, employees within the Division will have group volunteer opportunities with organizations around the Charleston area. Friends and family members are welcome to join.
The first organization the Division will be working with is The Green Heart Project, a community volunteer organization committed to teaching math and science concepts and character building through hands-on learning experiences. Their farm-to-school program and urban garden at Mitchell Elementary School supports the Green Heart mission while increasing the availability of and access to healthful, local foods and stimulating the local economy. The vegetables, fruit, and herbs grown in the garden are used by the Mitchell Elementary Cafeteria and are sold to local restaurants.
The College has been involved with the Green Heart Project on several levels. Health and Human Performance assistant professor Dr. Olivia M. Thompson of the Public Health program worked with a team of College researchers and national, state, and local public health innovators to design the sustainable and scalable program. Students volunteer regularly in the garden through the Office for Civic Engagement and various academic departments. The College has a truly special partnership with this nonprofit organization.