The Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, the Adventist Community Center and other volunteer agencies were recently classrooms for important lessons about serving others for a group of Tusculum College students.

The students learned through their service the importance of serving the community and the difference that each individual's efforts can make to someone in need.

The students were part of a "Service-Learning in Northeast Tennessee" course, taught by Robin Fife, an assistant professor of social science.

The course focuses on providing service in the communities surrounding the college and teaching the students about the social issues addressed by various agencies, programs and organizations with which the students work.

Poverty, homelessness and hunger were the primary social issues explored by the students in their work with the Adventist Community Service Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, the Manna House (a transitional shelter for the homeless), the Melting Pot soup kitchen, the Mission Soup Kitchen at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and a Safe Harbor Home.

The students described their projects during presentations Wednesday morning. Representatives of some of the agencies were present to hear their presentations.

Carmen Ricker, executive director of Community Ministries, thanked the college for allowing the students to volunteer. "It gives me hope for the future," she said. "The students we had were hard-working, and it was a joy to have them."

Kat Rollins, executive director of Greene County Habitat for Humanity, said the organization is very appreciative of the work done in the organization by Tusculum students. "We could not do what we are doing without the Tusculum students," she said, and referred to one house that has been almost completely built by efforts of the students.

Lilly Gonzalez, who is working with A Safe Harbor Home, presented certificates of appreciation to students who created brochures for the new organization, as well as Fife and Joyce Doughty, director of the college's Center for Civic Advancement. Keeping the clothing area neat and organized at the Adventist Community Service Center gave one group of students insight as to how many people need some type of assistance, as well as the efforts others make to help meet their needs.

"We learned that lots of people want to help others," said Alyssa Ruff. "They don't do it because they have to, they do it because they want to and they care."

The Tusculum students who went to the Boys and Girls Club helped tutor the youngsters with their homework, which led to the forming of special bonds with some of the children. Nicole Ferris said one youngster told her, "It makes my day that you come to help with me with my homework."

"Initially," Mike Peeler said, "I didn't think that I could do much in the hours I was going to spend at the club, but when I left, I realized what a person can do in even a small amount of time to make a difference."

The value of each individual effort to help others was also a lesson learned by the group that worked with the Community Ministries, commonly known as the Food Bank. Tusculum students helped sort and stack donated food in the agency's storeroom and also compile the food packages given to families.

"We learned that people deeply care about others in need and that no one is better than anyone else," said Ryan Troutman. "Everyone has needed help at some time, and everyone can play their own part in helping in the community. Every little bit helps."

Two groups of students worked with Habitat for Humanity. One group volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, sorting through clothes, toys and other donated items, stocking shelves, and keeping the store neat and clean.

Another group of students was involved in the construction side of the local Habitat for Humanity efforts, helping with the final cleanup around a home that has been renovated for a Habitat family and removing flooring from a home to be renovated for another family.

Jarrell NeSmith said the work taught him and his fellow students the true sense of hard work and keeping deadlines. As Tusculum students, NeSmith said, "we are part of the community while we are here and we can help out. It is our responsibility to get out and do what we can."

A Safe Harbor Home, a domestic violence transitional shelter that is in the formation stages, will provide a safe environment for local victims of domestic violence, counseling and assistance in returning to every day life without the threat of violence. Sabrina Azemar, Whittney Ransom and Randi Williams each developed informational brochures for the new organization to distribute.

The class members also had the opportunity to visit the Manna House and the Melting Pot, both in Johnson City.

At the Manna House, a shelter that helps homeless men get back on their feet, they listened to the stories from the men there. The students helped serve a meal at the Melting Pot, a soup kitchen operated by churches in Johnson City.