Welcome Week comes early for McMaster’s dedicated community advisors
Moving on up: David Aziz and Erin Dykstra haul their supplies into Brandon Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The pair joined more than 120 other residence community advisors for 10 days of training, team-building activities and service learning ahead of the fall term.
If you’ve got a question, chances are they’ve got the answer.
McMaster’s residence community advisors, also known as “CAs,” moved onto campus Tuesday morning to begin 10 days of training and service learning.
In preparation for the upcoming academic year, more than 120 upper-year CAs will participate in team-building and volunteer activities to sharpen their leadership skills and strengthen their knowledge of campus.
The training will help prepare them to offer guidance and resources to incoming first-year students on a number of topics — everything from mental and sexual health to finding the perfect math tutor or joining a campus club. No question is off limits.
“The transition from high school to university is signifiant, and it’s nice to know there’s someone available to offer advice, or just listen,” said Brittany Reifenstein, manager, Student Leadership and Learning. “It’s important for students to have someone on campus they trust and can relate to.”
View the full training program
As part of their summer training regimen, the CAs will also spend a full day volunteering in the greater Hamilton community working on two key projects — one with the Stewards of Cootes Paradise and another with Hamilton Victory Gardens.
The former is a team of local activists dedicated to restoring and cleaning up the Cootes Paradise wetlands, located in McMaster’s backyard on the western edge of Hamilton Harbour.
The latter is a a non-profit team of volunteers committed to alleviating hunger in Hamilton. The group is known for transforming empty city lots into gardens and community spaces, and currently operates 12 gardens across the city. To date, they’ve grown and distributed more than 17,300 pounds of fresh produce.
That spirit of community engagement doesn’t stop after Labour Day.
Throughout the year, CAs follow a community development model to guide the type of programs and experiences they provide for students. This includes planning at least one volunteer activity and one social outing in the greater Hamilton community, with a focus on service learning and exploring the city around them.
It’s a crucial part of developing well-rounded student leaders, explained Reifenstein.
“Our team was inspired by President Patrick Deane’s Forward with Integrity letter, and we want to help the next generation of students get involved in their community,” she said. “It’s an important part of the student experience.”
