By Emily Carson
News Assignment Editor
Liberty Mutual Insurance has awarded St. Bonaventure sophomore Simone Bernstein a $10,000 scholarship through its Responsible Scholars Scholarship Program.
Bernstein received one of five scholarships awarded to students who have initiated a volunteer program that has impacted his or her campus or community, and was recognized for her part in creating volunteennation.org.
“Volunteen Nation provides a vehicle for nonprofit organizations to promote their cause,” Bernstein said. “We are helping promote organizations that have programs for teen volunteers, their mission and the volunteer opportunities they offer.”
Teens and young adults can use this website to find volunteer opportunities in their area, she said.
“Youth volunteers have the time, the energy and the motivation to volunteer in the community,” she said. “When a student enters middle school and even high school, summer opportunities are tough to find. Organizations are realizing the importance of marketing and establishing youth volunteer programs.”
A St. Louis native, Bernstein created a website originally for only her community in July 2009 with her brother. They both became frustrated with the lack of information and resources available for students under 18 who wanted to get involved with their community.
“Since there was no local resource specifically geared toward youth and family volunteerism, we created St. Louis Volunteen.com to fulfill that basic need and provide a one-stop search site to promote youth volunteerism,” she said.
Bernstein launched the national site March 6. She said it took more than a year to put together. The site categorizes the various organizations that offer volunteer opportunities for students by state, zip code, age group and area of interest.
“The website helps students easily find updated contact information, requirements and opportunities, and even submit applications online directly to local area volunteer agencies,” she said.
Bernstein said her hope is America’s teens will give back to their community, and she uses the website to challenge every organization and corporate America to add a volunteer opportunity.
“We are also hoping to expand the number of volunteer opportunities listed on the site so teenagers in communities throughout the nation can find an organization within 20 miles of their home,” she said.
Bernstein also emphasized the importance of students volunteering in their communities.
“It’s extremely important for college students to volunteer in both their local community and while they are attending St. Bonaventure,” she said. “We are a generation that is ready to solve problems in the community. Anyone can volunteer at any age. Everyone can make a difference.”
carsonek10@bonaventure.edu
