Career Services in partnership with Volunteer Hamilton is launching a volunteering program at McMaster.

The service kicks off Monday, Nov. 29 in conjunction with a Volunteer Fair taking place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre Marketplace.

The program will offer workshops, drop-in, and individual support for those looking to volunteer in the community. A resource person from Volunteer Hamilton will be on site in the Career Services office (Gilmour Hall, Rm. 110) two partial days per week (Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m.  4 p.m.) starting Jan. 13, 2005.

“Students will gain access to expert knowledge on finding a volunteer opportunity that is the right fit, learn about the benefits of volunteerism, and have a chance to give back to the community,” says Kate Toth, events & marketing co-ordinator with Career Services. “This is in response to a successful program in the Experiential Education Initiative in the Faculty of Social Sciences and to increasing requests from McMaster students for support in this area.”

While initially for students, Career Services hopes to eventually expand the services for employees. Toth say the end goal is for Career Services to be able to sustain the service without Volunteer Hamilton on site.