OVP Staff
A little history....
The Office of Volunteer Programs (OVP), a division of Student Affairs
at the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, opened in the Fall of 1989
to promote community service and volunteer activity.
Mission Statement
"to enhance and expand meaningful
student involvement in community service as
well as in public enagagement. The goal is to enrich the
educational experience of students, faculty and staff
at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by fostering
collaborative relationships and partnerships
within the community."
One of its main functions has been to provide a clearinghouse where
volunteer opportunities can be matched with willing volunteers.
The OVP continually strives to increase students awareness of the
needs of the Champaign-Urbana community.
The office is jointly funded by the Vice Chancellor of Student
Affairs and by the United Way of Champaign County. University students
compose the volunteer base who offer their time to help not-for-profit
organizations with service projects.
Conveniently located at 288
Illini Union, the Office of Volunteer Programs also does
the following: provide informational resources on volunteerism;
advise student service organizations; connect student groups and
agencies; connect the C-U community and the University; offer consulting
to strengthen community service-related programs; educate students
about community service via workshops; and conduct outreach with
community agencies and student groups.
Meet the Staff....
Amy Sponsler, DIRECTOR
Amy's passion for service began her freshman year at the University of Illinois while participating on an Alternative Spring Break trip to Minneapolis. As both an undergraduate and graduate student at Illinois, Amy was involved in an array of activities and organizations including Alternative Spring Break, Volunteer Illini Projects, SORF Board, Faculty-Student Senate, and the University YMCA. In addition she served as a Turner Fellow in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and a Graduate Assistant for Partnership Illinois in the Chancellor's office. After graduating with a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration, she joined Teach for America. Amy taught middle school Spanish in rural North Carolina as well as coaching volleyball and softball. Since returning to Champaign-Urbana, Amy has become active in the community serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children and volunteering for the Champaign County Humane Society and Crisis Nursery.
Michael Parrish , GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Michael is passionate about helping students build community on campus and beyond. She served two terms as an AmeriCorps member at her undergraduate institution, The University of Montana. Growing up, Michael was involved in her community as a volunteer and activist. Michael believes that service and advocacy go hand in hand. Her experience with national service gave Michael the opportunity to reflect on the work of building community from the grassroots up. She’d be happy to help any member of the campus community think more deeply about how to get involved in a way that will leave a lasting, positive impact.
Nelly Montenegro , WILLIAMS INTERN
For Nelly, service is a lifestyle. She believes in global equality and that each individual in the world should have the same opportunities to live full, successful lives. Nelly’s passion for service stems from being raised in a household where both parents were born and raised in Guatemala. Even though she grew up in the U.S., her parents never let her ignore the existence of poverty and oppression all over the world. Her volunteer experiences here in Champaign/Urbana began with an Alternative Spring Break trip to San Juan, Texas. Nelly is an active member of La Colectiva, through which she helps the immigrant community in Champaign/Urbana. Also, being part of International Impact has allowed Nelly to return to her home country of Guatemala to volunteer. In the future, Nelly hopes to become an immigration or civil rights lawyer to further serve her community.
Kemy Acacia , STUDENT WORKER
Kemy became associated with community service while she was in grammar school working to educate her neighborhood of the damaging effects of the Asian long horned beetle. This brought citywide recognition and allowed her to participate in a competition with international students who were doing wonders for their community as well. Through this experience she learned the value and importance of community service which carried on to her high school and college activities. She has participated in a range of volunteer activities from Key Club to the Boys and Girls Club Mentoring program. Kemy is a sophomore in the College of Business and is looking forward to helping people through her work with OVP.
Aubrey Korneta , STUDENT WORKER
Aubrey became interested in service during high school when she joined Key Club. Through that organization she met a lot of wonderful people and participated in some very rewarding events. Since then her interest in service has only grown. Aubrey believes that any act of service, no matter how small, can make a difference and believes that service helps bring communities closer together, and fosters a sense of belonging. Some of Aubrey’s current service activities include working with international students to improve their English, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and helping predominantly French-speaking immigrant families integrate into the community.
Alessandra Musetti , STUDENT WORKER
Alessandra knows that she has found the perfect job for her- inspiring others to do what she loves best! Helping others is where Alessandra has found her niche at the University of Illinois, not to mention on her career path. In high school she created a Habitat for Humanity club that secured a grant to build a house based on their excellent service and fundraising work. On campus, she has put down the hammers and is active in health related volunteer opportunities. Last spring she led an Alternative Spring Break trip to New York City to work on AIDS issues, and now she is preparing to go on a medical trip to Mexico over winter break. ¡Cuán emocionante! Ali is excited to help other students find service projects which will add as much joy to their lives as her service has to hers.
Ari Sahagun , STUDENT WORKER
Ari is interested in how people interact with their communities, and these how communities are subjectively defined. She considers the earth itself to be her community and participates in environmental and international movements. Ari is interested in how our conceptions of service affect our everyday lives and thoughts. Ari got her start in service when she came to college and found that there were many ways to think about service. Since then, she has traveled to Guatemala with International Impact, become Vice President of Students for Environmental Concerns and is a Co-Founder of Illini Global Initiative.
JaKendra Williams , STUDENT WORKER
JaKendra’s interest in helping others began at a young age. Her parents were involved in the community which influenced JaKendra’s commitment. JaKendra became most active after going to East St. Louis with a class in fall of 2006. She has a passion for making a positive change in the world. One of JaKendra’s long term goals is to open non-profit community centers in under privileged areas. Recently, JaKendra decided to change her major to Urban Planning as a result of great experiences working with and helping others! JaKendra loves working at the OVP because it gives her a chance to influence her peers to volunteer and also have the privilege to work with other individuals who are as passionate about serving their community as she is.
Copyright 2002 Office of Volunteer
Programs.
Send comments to ovp@uiuc.edu |
