Averett University is partnering with the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County to create two service year fellowships for recent Averett graduates. The two localities will each host one fellow to volunteer in the region through a year of service to the community at the respective Parks and Recreation Departments.
This partnership is the first-of-its-kind and Averett is the only private institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia that is providing this opportunity to recent graduates.
“During their time at Averett, one way our students learn to be catalysts for positive change is by serving in the community through volunteerism. We can only hope that after they graduate, that love for one’s community and the giving of one’s time is something they want to continue for the rest of their life,” said Dr. Tiffany Franks, president of Averett University. “So, that is why we work so hard to provide local opportunities like this one. We want our graduates to have the opportunity to stay in the area they called home during their time here at Averett.”
For the City of Danville, the fellow will assist with environmental sustainability efforts and environmental education programming.
“In our Parks operations many of our practices have environmental impacts and we are looking to assess these impacts and reduce where possible. Also, we are hoping to develop a community wide environmental messaging and literacy campaign,” said Bill Sgrinia, director of City of Danville Parks and Recreation.
The Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation Department fellow will work on marketing and advertising, as well as data collection and research surrounding the new recreation center and recently built parks.
“Specific tasks would include developing and implementing a marketing and advertising plan for the new recreation center and the Ringgold Rail Trail, data collection and analysis of community usage of the four new parks in the county and possible involvement in the updating of the Parks and Recreation comprehensive master plan,” said Mark Moore, director of Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation.
This partnership works not only to strengthen the relationship between the University and localities but also, as Franks and the two directors agree, to benefit those who live in the Dan River Region.
“Hopefully we will reduce our impact on our local environment and educate future leaders on the importance of taking care of our natural surroundings,” Sgrinia said.
“The mutually beneficial relationship will allow our growing department to address unmet department and community needs while allowing Averett fellows to gain real world experience creating tangible change in their community,” Moore said.
The fellows will be paid with a monthly stipend, jointly funded by Averett and the locality. Applications are being accepted now.
Click here to apply for the City of Danville fellowship.
Click here to apply for the Pittsylvania County fellowship.
