{"id":2035,"date":"2014-02-04T22:55:01","date_gmt":"2014-02-05T03:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu\/gsc\/?page_id=2035"},"modified":"2022-11-05T20:42:04","modified_gmt":"2022-11-05T20:42:04","slug":"community-affairs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studentorg.vanderbilt.edu\/gsc\/community-affairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Affairs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pen Pals with a Purpose <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This program is a collaboration between the Vanderbilt Graduate Student Council and two communities in Nashville:\u00a0The\u00a0Blakeford Senior Center<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Harpeth Hall School<\/strong>. Graduate students can choose to participate in the elderly pen pal program and\/or the middle school pen pal program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harpeth Hall<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For those interested in the middle school student program, you will be paired with a pen pal to exchange monthly  <\/strong>letters that encourage higher education and explain what graduate student life and studies are like. Handwritten or typed letters are acceptable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This program is incredibly important, as the kids are developing their written communication skills, and have been published in a Vanderbilt\u00a0article<\/a>. The students have a wide range of interests including volleyball, soccer, Fortnite, drawing, theatre, playing with pets, technology, nursing, and sleeping (who can\u2019t relate to that). Your encouragement and communication with them is valuable and fun! Finally, this program will end with an in-person meetup and celebration!\u00a0Please email\u00a0gsc_community@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To sign-up, take a moment to follow these steps:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Fill out the  google form.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Make sure your  Protection of Minors 101<\/a> is up to date for this upcoming year and email the certificate to  gsc_community@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need help with the Protection of Minors certification you can use the same link above for more detailed instructions or you can email us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline is September 9th<\/sup>\u00a0by 5pm<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blakeford Senior Center: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For those interested in the senior\u2019s program, you will be paired with a pen pal to exchange monthly <\/strong>letters via email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This program is an opportunity to learn from the older generation and to share your own knowledge and experiences! It is important to take a mental break from the demands of graduate school, and this can be a great avenue for that. It is also beneficial for older folks to be able to share their experiences and learn about what\u2019s going on in the lives of the younger generation. This program will also end with an in-person meetup and celebration! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To sign up all you need to do is:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n